XM Satellite Radio

See List of XM Satellite Radio channels. Top Thrill Dragster -------- 2003. See XM's footprints for the US and Canada. Wicked Twister ------------ 2002. On November 29, 2005, XM Canada officially launched. Millennium Force ---------- 2000. XM's Canadian channels appeared on US receivers on November 17, 2005. Woodstock's Express --- 1999.

After a lengthy debate, Cabinet rejected the appeals on September 9, 2005. Mantis ------------------------- 1996. The groups objected to the satellite radio applicants' approach to and reduced levels of Canadian Content and French-language programming, along with the exclusion of Canadian non-commercial broadcasting. Raptor ------------------------- 1994. The decisions were appealed to the Canadian federal Cabinet by a number of broadcasting, labour, and arts and culture organizations, including the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, CHUM Limited, and the National Campus and Community Radio Association. Mean Streak ---------------- 1991. On June 16, 2005, the CRTC approved all three applications. Magnum XL 200 ----------- 1989.

Along with Sirius Canada and CHUM Subscription Radio Canada, CSR was one of three applications for national subscription radio services submitted to the CRTC. Iron Dragon ------------------ 1987. In November 2004, Canadian Satellite Radio filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to bring the XM service to Canada. Disaster Transport -------- 1985. Unless they unaminously agree otherwise, control of the company remains with the preferred shareholder and noteholders of the company, including Hughes Electronics, GM, Honda, and several private investment groups. Gemini -------------------- 1979. At that time, GM owned 8.6% of the Class A common stock (a voting percentage of less than 1%) and Honda owned 13% (with a voting percentage of 3.6%). Jr.

Four additional directors are investors, and two are not affiliated with any significant stockholders. Wildcat ------------------------ 1979. The company's May 2004 proxy statement notes that four directors are subject to director designation agreements with GM, American Honda, the chairman, and the CEO. Gemini ------------------------- 1978. XM manufacturing partners such as Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., and Yamaha will introduce home audio systems capable of playing XM HD Surround powered by Neural Audio in 2006. Corkscrew -------------------- 1976. XM channels XM Pops and Fine Tuning will broadcast in XM HD Surround 24/7, while XM Live will broadcast the format for new live concerts and events. Cedar Creek Mine Ride -- 1969.

The technology, titled XM HD Surround, is a partnership between XM and Neural Audio Corporation which provides content with six discrete channels of digital full fidelity audio powered by Neural Audio technology. Blue Streak ------------------- 1964. Beginning in March 2006, XM will begin broadcasting select channels in 5.1 surround sound audio quality. To date, Cedar Point has more roller coasters over 200 feet (4) than any other park in the world. Due to bandwidth restrictions and a large channel load, the maximum bitrate XM broadcast from its satellite per music channel is limited to 64kbs. Cedar Point continued its record breaking tradition in 2003 with Top Thrill Dragster, also designed by Intamin AG, which features a four-second launch to 120 mph (190 km/h) and a 420 foot (128 m) hill with a vertical ascent and a 270 degree spiral on the vertical descent. Audio channels on XM are digitally compressed using the aacPlus codec from Coding Technologies for most channels, and the AMBE codec from Digital Voice Systems for some voice channels. In 2002, Cedar Point announced Wicked Twister, the world's tallest, fastest and first double-spiraling impulse coaster.

American Honda also retains the right to some of the company's bandwidth to transmit coded traffic information directly to navigation systems using TMC technology. In 2000, Cedar Point and Intamin AG unleashed Millennium Force, which at the time was the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster and the first coaster to top 300 feet (90 m) in height. XM has agreed to provide 128 kilobits per second of its bandwidth to OnStar Corporation for use with XM-enabled GM vehicles, regardless of whether their owners are XM subscribers. Mantis, also designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, opened in 1996 as the tallest, fastest, and longest stand-up roller coaster with the most loops. The XM signal uses 12.5 MHz of the S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0 MHz. Raptor (rollercoaster), designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, opened in 1994 as the tallest, fastest, and longest inverted roller coaster with the most inverting elements. XM-1 was then moved over next to XM-2, where each satellite operates only one transponder to conserve energy. In 1991 Mean Streak opened as the tallest and fastest wooden coaster.

To compensate for this flaw, XM-3 was launched earlier than anticipated and moved into XM-1's previous location. In 1989 Magnum XL 200, designed by the now defunct Arrow Dynamics, opened as the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster in existence, as well as being the first full-circuit roller coaster to be taller than 200 feet (60 m). Unfortunately, XM-1 and XM-2 are suffering from a generic design fault on the Boeing 702 series of satellites, which means that their lifetimes will be shortened to approximately six years (instead of the design goal of 15 years). In 1978 Gemini debuted as the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster on earth. The combination of three satellites and a ground-based repeater network is designed to provide gap-free coverage anywhere within the continental U.S. In 1976 Corkscrew was the first roller coaster to turn its riders upside down three times. XM-1 ("Roll") and XM-2 ("Rock") are co-located at 115 degrees west longitude and XM-3 ("Rhythm") is located 85 degrees west longitude in addition to a network of ground-based repeaters. The Cedar Creek Mine Ride opened in 1969 as one of the very first run-away mine train style roller coasters.

XM provides digital programming directly from three satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator. Many of its roller coasters were record setters when they opened. DirecTV now gives listeners as part of its service the music and talk channels of XM, but not the news or traffic channels. The park continued to expand rapidly through the next 50 years. XM also provides data services such as weather information for pilots and weather spotters through it's XM WX Satellite Weather datacasting service, in addition to real-time weather and traffic updates aired every two minutes for major metropolitan areas on some of XM's audio channels. With the uproar occurring and the sudden popularity of Disneyland in California, Roose and Legros decided to end their plans to tear down Cedar Point and instead announced their plans to turn Cedar Point into the Disneyland of the Midwest. XM is currently the only satellite radio service to offer true mobile services, utilizing the built in antenna in its MyFi to transmit a live satellite signal to Ipod sized battery operated devices. Once the citizens of Sandusky found out about Roose and Legros' plans, they wrote letters to the governor of Ohio urging him to intervene.

The Internet-only subscription fee is US$7.99 per month; those with an active satellite subscription do not need to pay an additional charge. With this in mind, they built a marina and constructed a causeway leading from the amusement area to Sandusky. XM Satellite Radio produces the majority of its channels, as well as a few others that are not available via satellite, available on the Internet. When they first bought Cedar Point, Roose and Legros planned on tearing down the existing park and turning it into a residential area. Subscribers may opt to purchase one-, two-, three-, four-, or five-year packages, in which the average monthly cost would be under US$10.00 per month. The Great Depression had an adverse effect on Cedar Point, and it did not fully recover until the 1950s when businessmen George Roose and Emile Legros bought the park. If opting for the month-to-month plan, service fees are US$12.95 for the first receiver, and US$6.99 each for up to four additional receivers on the same account. In 1929 The Cedar Point Cyclone was built by legendary designer Harry Traver.

XM-capable receivers cost US$30 – US$300. Cedar Point continued to expand over the course of the century, adding a series of new rides and roller coasters. . Around the turn of the twentieth century, businessman George Arthur Boeckling spent several decades expanding the park by planting flower gardens, adding a boardwalk and rides, constructing lagoons, and opening several hotels including The Breakers Hotel which opened on June 12, 1905, and still operates today. XM was founded in 1992 as American Mobile Radio Corporation. When the war ended, Cedar Point resumed its role as a summer picnic area, and the initial park was constructed in 1870. “XM175”, “XM4”, “XM32”). During the American Civil War, an earthwork housing a battery of four field artillery pieces was constructed at the tip of the peninsula to help guard access to the Confederate prisoner of war camp on nearby Johnson's Island.

XM channels are identified by Arbitron with the label “XM” (e.g. . Their service includes 67 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional traffic and weather channels and 23 play-by-play sports channels. Cedar Point and Valleyfair! were the original operating partners of the Cedar Fair, LP amusement park company. XM provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to premium cable television. Cedar Point has the world's second tallest and fastest roller coaster, Top Thrill Dragster. XM Satellite Radio NASDAQ: XMSR is a satellite radio (DARS) service in the United States and Canada based in Washington, DC and controlled by News Corporation's DirecTV, General Motors, American Honda, Hughes Electronics, and several private investment groups. It opened in 1870 and is the second oldest amusement park in North America (Lake Compounce being the oldest).

Also, Oprah's team of personalities who appear on her television show will also host programs on the channel. In addition to amusement park rides it offers beaches, two waterparks (one indoors), a marina, several hotels, and a "Challenge Park" featuring attractions such as go-karts and miniature golf. Oprah will host an original weekly XM program. Cedar Point is a 364 acre (1.5 km²) amusement park located near Sandusky, Ohio on a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. A new channel called "Oprah and Friends" will launch beginning in September 2006. Both Cedar Point and sister park (and onetime competitor) Geauga Lake are often referred to by western Pennsylvanians as the "Ohio parks", due to their proximity and their competition with Pittsburgh's own Kennywood, usually the chief rival to Cedar Point. On February 9, 2006, XM announced that they had signed Oprah Winfrey to a three-year contract. Cedar Point is operated by Cedar Fair, L.P., a consortium that also owns Knott's Berry Farm in California, Worlds of Fun in Missouri, Cedar Point and Geauga Lake in Ohio, Michigan's Adventure in Michigan, Dorney Park in Pennsylvania, Valleyfair in Minnesota, and several waterparks.

On January 9, 2006, XM wins top honors at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for their two new portable units that also offer live programming on-the-go. Others that have visited the park include Montel Williams, Yasmine Bleeth, Drew Carey, Monica Lewinsky, Rob Lowe, LeBron James, the members of Simple Plan, as well as Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns team members. On January 4, 2006, XM announced that it has passed the 6 million subscriber mark. Some past employees who have gone on to fame include Sam Warner, Arsenio Hall, and Knute Rockne who worked as a lifeguard at Cedar Point in 1913 and invented the forward pass with teammate Gus Dorais on the beach during their off-time. On January 2, 2006, XM launched "Fox News Talk", news, analysis and the pulse of the nation from Bill O'Reilly, Tony Snow, John Gibson, Alan Colmes and more. Cedar Point also has 68 different amusement rides, the most world-wide. On November 29, 2005, XM launched its service in Canada. Cedar Point currently retains 3 of the top 5 Roller Coasters (in terms of height and speed) in North America, and two of the top 3 world-wide.

"Lex and Terry", a popular nationally syndicated morning radio program, delivers a unique blend of lifestyle advice, humor and on-air community, especially for men, beginning November 28, 2005, on Extreme XM. Cedar Point has been voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 8 years running by Amusement Today newspaper (1998 - 2005). "Home Ice", part of XM's sports lineup, featuring NHL games. The sand is the right texture for making sand castles. "Franc Parler", the place for Canadian news, talk, and information. The beach on Lake Erie is wide, and both it and the shore have a generally gradual slope. "Canada 360", and "Quoi de Neuf", a 24/7 news and information channel with the latest news, weather, sports, business, entertainment and issues making headlines in Canada and around the world. Hotel Breakers arcade is located at the base of Breakers Tower.

"Laugh Attack", Canadian comedic talent. Challenge Park arcade is located in a building that also houses a food stand. "Sur La Route", a blend of modern and classic pop, folk, rock n' roll, "chanson" and soul featuring the stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The two other arcades are technically outside of the park. "Air Musique", French punk, hip-hop, metal, electronic and alternative rock music. Jitney is located in the rear of the park and has Skeeball. "unSigned", which now plays new and recently discovered Canadian artists. Gemini arcade is located across from the Gemini roller coaster and features Skeeball and boomball.

On November 17, 2005, XM launched their new Fall lineup of channels. Coliseum features over 30 lanes of Skeeball and over 100 video and redemption games. These include music channels, but not news or sports channels. The same building also holds Cedar Point Police, Park Operations and the Ballroom. On November 15, 2005, DirecTV began carrying 72 channels of XM programming. Coliseum is the largest and includes the arcade maintenance office. On October 18, 2005, XM announced that it will launch "Fox News Talk" Radio in January 2006. Cedar Point has five arcades on the peninsula.

Additionally, XM Radio drops two of its Talk and Entertainment channels: MTV and VH1. The Great American Racing Derby, a ride from Euclid Beach Park which simulated a horse race, still runs today at Cedar Point, who acquired it in 1967, renamed Cedar Downs. This channel is geared toward Women's Programming and features replays of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", "The Tyra Banks Show", syndicated and original programming, as well as programming from Food Network and HGTV. It has two antique carousels which retain their original wooden animals, many smaller carnival-type rides, as well as county-fair style booths and games and a variety of musical shows, which are considered 2nd only to Disney. On October 3, 2005, XM Radio launched channel "Take 5" (XM 155). In contrast to many parks that have completely modernized, Cedar Point has retained some older rides as well. On October 3, 2005, XM announced that it had added more than 617,000 subscribers in Q3 2005, pushing their total subscriber base to over 5.03 million. There is, however, some discrepancy as to whether or not one of Magic Mountain's coasters (Superman the Escape) is truly a coaster.

This includes music channels, "Home Plate" (XM 175), and "High Voltage" (XM 202). However, in 2006 Six Flags Magic Mountain will open Tatsu, a flying roller coaster, making their coaster count 17. On September 27, 2005, XM announced that starting on November 15th, 2005, DirecTV will carry 72 channels as part of their audio programming. Cedar Point was tied with Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California for having the most roller coasters at any park; with 16 roller coasters each as of 2005. On September 27, 2005, XM announced that it surpassed the 5 million subscriber mark. While you cannot see mainland Canada—it is much too far—a good eye might be able to spot Pelee Island, a Canadian island in the middle of Lake Erie, 34 km or 21 miles to the north. On September 13, 2005, XM announced a multi-year deal to carry National Hockey League broadcasts beginning with the 2005-06 season, initially sharing the coverage with Sirius but gaining satellite-radio exclusivity from 2007 onward. It is said that if you have the courage, you can see all the way out to Canada if you look out at the top of the hill on Millennium Force, Magnum XL 200, or Top Thrill Dragster.

They join Opie and Anthony on High Voltage XM 202 on September 12th, 2005. This Giant Frisbee, manufactured by Huss GmbH, swings riders at 70 mph (110 kph) while spinning them. On August 1, 2005, XM announced the addition of popular radio hosts Ron and Fez. In 2005, Cedar Point built a new ride called maXair. On July 1, 2005, XM announced that it had added more than 640,000 subscribers in Q2 2005, pushing their total subscriber base to over 4.4 million. Many of the original souvineers and materials were burned or destroyed. On June 07, 2005, XM partnered with Audible.com to offer downloadable audio show archives of The Opie and Anthony Show, as well as The Bob Edwards Show. The name was quickly changed when the marketing department realized the full negative connotation of the word 'banshee' and all 'The Banshee' stickers, pins and other promotional materials that had been given to employees were recalled.

On May 28, 2005, the Wall Street Journal reported that XM had awarded the contract for the XM 5 spacecraft to Space Systems/Loral (see also [1]). The original proposed name for the Mantis was The Banshee and the proposed coaster would be painted black and silver. In 5 weeks time, they have added 230,000 subscribers — almost 50% the subscribers added in the previous quarter. The Hotel is also the de facto headquarters for several Cedar Point departments including Central Reservations (Department 402), Park Operator / PBX and Housekeeping. This indicates exponential growth for the company. Another interesting aspect of the Breakers is that the map of the hotel's layout given to guest upon check-in to help them find their rooms 'hides' several areas of the complex, including an entire hallway on the second floor devoted to employee housing. On May 16, 2005, XM announced that subscribership topped the 4 million mark. The Hotel Breakers has hosted 6 American Presidents in its history, Taft, Coolidge, Wilson, Harding, Roosevelt and Eisenhower.

On April 11, 2005, XM announced that a deal had been reached to be the official satellite radio network of Air America Radio. It's Presidential Suite is one of the most expensive hotel rooms in Sandusky, commanding $1000 per night during the peak season. On April 1, 2005, XM announced that it had added 540,000 subscribers in Q1 2005, pushing their total subscriber base to 3.77 million. Hotel Breakers Trivia: Built in 1905, Hotel Breakers owned by Cedar Fair and located at the rear of the park, features original Tiffany stained-glass windows in its lobby. On February 28, 2005, XM's third satellite, Rhythm, was launched successfully. On January 5, 2005, XM announces the introduction of two more XM2go™ models: Pioneer's AirWare™ and the Tao™ from Giant International.

As of the 2005 season, XM had exclusive satellite radio broadcast rights to all Major League Baseball games. On December 30, 2004, XM announced that it had 3.1 million subscribers. On October 26, 2004, XM presents its first XM2go™ portable XM receiver: The Delphi MyFi™. On October 4, 2004, former National Public Radio host Bob Edwards broadcast the first Bob Edwards Show on XM Public Radio, channel 133.

On October 4, 2004, "shock" jocks Opie and Anthony began broadcasting on a premium ($2.99/month extra) XM Satellite Radio. The Acura TL was the first luxury automobile to offer XM radio as "standard" in every vehicle. The company partnered with both luxury automakers: (Acura and Audi) as well as others: (General Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, and SAAB) to offer in-dash XM receivers on an OEM basis. On August 11, 2004, XM's subscriber base broke the 2.5 million mark.

On March 1, 2004, XM Radio launched Instant Traffic and Weather Channels for major metropolitan markets in the United States. In July 2003 the company had nearly 700,000 subscribers. In December 2002, revenues were lower than expected, and the company obtained $200 million in new funds and a $250 million payment deferral from General Motors. In 2001, XM service was launched, first in San Diego and Dallas/Fort Worth and then nationwide.

In July 2000, American Honda joined several private investors in a $235 million preferred stock investment in the company. Both Clear Channel and DIRECTV agreed to develop services for XM. In June 1999, Clear Channel Communications, DirecTV, General Motors, and a private investment group invested $250 million in XM Radio convertible debt. In October 1997 the company obtained one of only two satellite digital audio radio service licenses offered by the Federal Communications Commission.