For non auto listening, is there any difference between XM and Sirius?

[brian65]

I'm thinking of trying it out again, but after looking at the available packages they pretty much look about the same.

I must be missing something.

I would be buying all new hardware...is one or the other cheaper when buying a home or portable unit?

Thanks.

[Walter Graff]

XM is a better transmission system than Sirius for radios. For web it's the same.

[AZJoe]

Sirius does not offer  The  Groove  (Channel 50)  old skool 70s and 80s classic R&B (for what reason  I do not know).  If you enjoy late 70s and 80s  soul,  it won't be found on  the Sirius  side, only XM. 

[kc1ih]

If you are a fan of Canadian radio, you should note that CBC Radio One is only on Sirius (159).

[jasper933]

XM is a better transmission system than Sirius for radios. For web it's the same.

What do you mean better transmission system? 

[Bill_W]

No Baseball on the Sirius radio.

[ai4i]

During the transition period to 2.0, XM terrestrial repeaters are scheduled to stay active long after Sirius is fully shut down.
This is probably to support the businesses which spent hundreds of dollar$ on professional quality XM recievers.

[OhioMediaWatch]

If you are a fan of Canadian radio, you should note that CBC Radio One is only on Sirius (159).

That must be tied up in the original Canadian deal with the Canadian sides of Sirius and XM.

Not that I care now...I can stream every single CBC Radio One (etc.) stream on my smartphone for free (I'm already paying for the smartphone, no extra for the audio).

[kc1ih]

Yea, but unlimited data plans are going away.

[OhioMediaWatch]

Yea, but unlimited data plans are going away.

Not mine, even with the recent changes at my carrier (Verizon). Grandfathered unlimited can be kept if you don't buy a new subsidized phone.

Since I JUST got a 4G phone, I don't even have a subsidized discounted phone window for nearly two years.

Even with the new data plans, you can stream a lot (a LOT) of audio and still stay under the limits (as low as 2 GB on VZW). Given my usage, I could still stream CBC Radio One the way I do now, if I were under the new limited plans.

Video?  That's another story.