[soulsurf]

I've got the free trial going with the new CT? I notice it skips right over channel 100 on the dial. Is this a Sirius vs. XM issue? Is there any way to call them and get Howard Stern during the trial?

 

[Bill Broderick]

Probably not for free. Stern's show is available on XM Premier (formerly known as the Best of Sirius add on) package from XM. XM Premier costs $4 more per month than XM Select. You should call XM and ask if you can pay for the difference between Select & Premier if that's what you want. On top of the Standard XM channels, XM Premier includes Stern, Martha Stewart, Playboy, NFL and NASCAR.

I know that add-on's are available with the free subscription, as I am still getting the Online package for only $2.99 per month as an add-on to my free subscription. Since dropping the "Best Of Sirius" add-on for the XM Premier package, I don't know if there's still a way to bump your subscription up or not.

 

[dgstan]

XM Premier includes Stern, Martha Stewart, Playboy, NFL and NASCAR.

Playboy Radio?

Somehow that just seems like it might be missing something.

 

[soulsurf]

Thanks for the info. I will call XM tomorrow and see if I can talk my way into Howard Stern.

 

[jimmyc13]

Good luck soulsurf, I tried and no luck. I had Sirius for 7 years in my Infiniti, mainly for the entertaining Howard Stern show for my AM commutes. Needless to say, with the extremely poor XM sound quality in the CT and having to pay an arm and a leg to upgrade the SM to get Stern, I am not going to continue using Satellite in my car.

You do have some other options though. You could always get a portable Sirius radio installed in your car (but it would then look a bit unsightly). Or you can get a Sirius account and install it on your Smartphone & stream it thru that using your AUX audio connection (assuming you have a Smartphone and unlimited data)!

 

[Bill Broderick]

Good luck soulsurf, I tried and no luck. I had Sirius for 7 years in my Infiniti, mainly for the entertaining Howard Stern show for my AM commutes. Needless to say, with the extremely poor XM sound quality in the CT and having to pay an arm and a leg to upgrade the SM to get Stern, I am not going to continue using Satellite in my car.

Really? $4 is "paying an arm and a leg"? I would suggest trying to negotiate with XM. They've been pretty good with me. When my previous subscription expired last year, I called and asked if there were any deals that I was eligible for. When they said "none". I told them to cancel my subscription. I was then transferred to a different department. When this person asked why I was canceling, I said that it's too expensive. She asked if I would take sign-up for 1 year subscription if she gave it to me for half price. I accepted that offer.

When I bought my CT, they saw that I was part way into a 1/2 price subscription and offered to apply my remaining balance to new 1/2 price annual subscription, which I also accepted.

As far as sound quality is concerned, I'd suggest adjusting the Sound Settings. For FM, the factory stereo settings have the treble and mid-range cranked up as high as they can go. The factory settings for XM are all in the center. I think that this is the reason that people think that the sound level for XM is much lower than it is for FM.

 

[soulsurf]

I just called Sirius. They answered the phone right away. They were completely receptive to my request, shot a quick over the air update to my radio and now I have Howard Stern along with all of the other channels. I think it will all expire when my trial is up but for the time being there is no charge. Stoked!!!!

 

[Bill Broderick]

^ I'm glad that it worked out for you. I'm really surprised that they don't include the Premium service as part of the free trial. You'd think that they'd want to start everyone with their highest level of service, hope that people like it and continue at that level.

 

[jimmyc13]

Wow, great news soulsurf!

I thought the upgrade was more than $4/month when I called, not sure.

Bill Broderick - The sound settings are already adjusted & don't help the issue unfortunately.

 

[Bill Broderick]

I thought the upgrade was more than $4/month when I called, not sure.

The price difference between XM Select and XM Premier, which is the level on which the old "Best Of Sirius" package is included is $4.04 per month. Select is $12.99 and Premier is $16.95. Further discounts are available for annual subscriptions and even bigger discounts are available if you negotiate with SiriusXM before canceling.