The podcast discusses the evolution of SiriusXM, their goal to reach a wider audience, and the appeal of exclusive content. They also address the impact of supply chain interruptions on auto sales, the rollout of new features for their streaming service, and their collaboration with OEMs to improve the NCAR experience. Additionally, the podcast touches on the speaker's struggle to finish audio essays on songs and bands, their psychological reflection on the project, and their interactions with musicians and their new book.
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Quick takeaways
SiriusXM aims to expand its reach and relevance by offering a product that can stand on its own outside of the car, appealing to a broader audience.
SiriusXM is leveraging modems in cars to utilize a combination of satellite delivery and streaming, providing personalized recommendations and additional content to enhance the consumer experience.
Deep dives
SiriusXM: A Profitable Digital Media Company
SiriusXM is a popular streaming service that reaches 34 million people and generates $9 billion in revenue. The company has been profitable for several years, with an expected EBITDA of $2.75 billion this year. While often associated with being a service primarily used in cars, SiriusXM aims to expand its reach and relevance by offering a product that can stand on its own outside of the car. With a combination of curated music channels, live news, sports, comedy, and other content, SiriusXM aims to differentiate itself from other music streaming services and appeal to a broader audience.
Target Audience and Expansion Strategies
SiriusXM's core subscriber segment consists of slightly older, affluent, college-educated individuals who own cars and appreciate the curated content and ease of use offered in the car. However, the company aims to expand its subscriber base beyond car owners and attract those who may not have a car or prefer using the service through an app or web player. By focusing on personalization, better discovery, and improved recommendations, SiriusXM aims to provide a product that stands on its own and appeals to a wider range of listeners. Additionally, partnerships with talent and broad distribution of podcasts across multiple platforms help reach new audiences and offer unique content behind the paywall.
Satellites and the Future of Distribution
SiriusXM relies on satellite delivery to provide high availability and uninterrupted service, especially in rural areas with limited wireless connectivity and urban areas with network congestion. While the company is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new satellites, there may come a time when they decide to distribute content over a single spectrum instead of duplicating it over two separate spectra. Moreover, SiriusXM is leveraging modems in cars to utilize a combination of satellite delivery and streaming, providing personalized recommendations and additional content to enhance the consumer experience. The future may bring advancements in streaming technology that could reduce reliance on satellites, but for now, the combination of satellite and streaming offers the best consumer experience.
Reflections and Book Release
Rob Harvilla, the host of the '60 Songs That Define the '90s' podcast, discusses his experience diving into the nostalgia of the '90s. The podcast, which has evolved into a book, provides a mix of rock criticism, memoir, and pop culture analysis. It explores songs and their connections, reflecting on personal memories, and the emotional impact of immersing oneself in nostalgia. While Harvilla expresses an openness to exploring current music and remaining connected to the present, he appreciates the format of his podcast and writing style, allowing for personalization and simplicity. The release of his book, '60 Songs That Explain the '90s,' offers a condensed collection of his podcast's greatest hits, allowing songs to interact in new ways and continue the exploration of the '90s era.
SiriusXM makes money by beaming music and talk radio - especially Howard Stern - to your car using satellites and selling monthly subscriptions. That turns out to be a surprisingly resilient business: The company has 34 million subscribers and $9 billion in annual revenue. But CEO Jennifer Witz knows she has to adapt to the streaming world, so she’s refreshing the company’s brand and app, with the hopes that you’ll keep listening when you’re not driving. Vox’s Peter Kafka talks to Witz about how she plans to position her company in a crowded field.
Then, Peter catches up with one of his favorites, Rob Harvilla (@harvilla), about his new book. It’s an adaption of his excellent podcast, which goes by the same name: 60 Songs that Explain the ’90s.
Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode
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