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XM Satellite Radio

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.

XM provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to premium cable television. 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. XM channels are identified by Arbitron with the label “XM” (e.g. “XM175”, “XM4”, “XM32”).

XM was founded in 1992 as American Mobile Radio Corporation.

Services

XM-capable receivers cost US$30 – US$300. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

DirecTV now gives listeners as part of its service the music and talk channels of XM, but not the news or traffic channels.

Timeline

  • In October 1997 the company obtained one of only two satellite digital audio radio service licenses offered by the Federal Communications Commission.
  • In June 1999, Clear Channel Communications, DirecTV, General Motors, and a private investment group invested $250 million in XM Radio convertible debt. Both Clear Channel and DIRECTV agreed to develop services for XM.
  • In July 2000, American Honda joined several private investors in a $235 million preferred stock investment in the company.
  • In 2001, XM service was launched, first in San Diego and Dallas/Fort Worth and then nationwide.
  • 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 July 2003 the company had nearly 700,000 subscribers.
  • On March 1, 2004, XM Radio launched Instant Traffic and Weather Channels for major metropolitan markets in the United States.
  • On August 11, 2004, XM's subscriber base broke the 2.5 million mark. 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. The Acura TL was the first luxury automobile to offer XM radio as "standard" in every vehicle.
  • On October 4, 2004, "shock" jocks Opie and Anthony began broadcasting on a premium ($2.99/month extra) XM Satellite Radio.
  • 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 26, 2004, XM presents its first XM2go™ portable XM receiver: The Delphi MyFi™.
  • On December 30, 2004, XM announced that it had 3.1 million subscribers.
  • As of the 2005 season, XM had exclusive satellite radio broadcast rights to all Major League Baseball games.
  • On January 5, 2005, XM announces the introduction of two more XM2go™ models: Pioneer's AirWare™ and the Tao™ from Giant International.
  • On February 28, 2005, XM's third satellite, Rhythm, was launched successfully.
  • 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.
  • On April 11, 2005, XM announced that a deal had been reached to be the official satellite radio network of Air America Radio.
  • On May 16, 2005, XM announced that subscribership topped the 4 million mark. This indicates exponential growth for the company. In 5 weeks time, they have added 230,000 subscribers — almost 50% the subscribers added in the previous quarter.
  • 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]).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • On August 1, 2005, XM announced the addition of popular radio hosts Ron and Fez. They join Opie and Anthony on High Voltage XM 202 on September 12th, 2005.
  • 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.
  • On September 27, 2005, XM announced that it surpassed the 5 million subscriber mark.
  • On September 27, 2005, XM announced that starting on November 15th, 2005, DirecTV will carry 72 channels as part of their audio programming. This includes music channels, "Home Plate" (XM 175), and "High Voltage" (XM 202)
  • 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.
  • On October 3, 2005, XM Radio launched channel "Take 5" (XM 155). 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. Additionally, XM Radio drops two of its Talk and Entertainment channels: MTV and VH1.
  • On October 18, 2005, XM announced that it will launch "Fox News Talk" Radio in January 2006.
  • On November 15, 2005, DirecTV began carrying 72 channels of XM programming. These include music channels, but not news or sports channels.
  • On November 17, 2005, XM launched their new Fall lineup of channels. "unSigned", which now plays new and recently discovered Canadian artists. "Air Musique", French punk, hip-hop, metal, electronic and alternative rock music. "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. "Laugh Attack", Canadian comedic talent. "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. "Franc Parler", the place for Canadian news, talk, and information. "Home Ice", part of XM's sports lineup, featuring NHL games. "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.
  • On November 29, 2005, XM launched its service in Canada.
  • 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.
  • On January 4, 2006, XM announced that it has passed the 6 million subscriber mark.
  • 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.
  • On February 9, 2006, XM announced that they had signed Oprah Winfrey to a three-year contract. A new channel called "Oprah and Friends" will launch beginning in September 2006. Oprah will host an original weekly XM program. Also, Oprah's team of personalities who appear on her television show will also host programs on the channel.

Technology

XM provides digital programming directly from three satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator. 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 combination of three satellites and a ground-based repeater network is designed to provide gap-free coverage anywhere within the continental U.S. 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). To compensate for this flaw, XM-3 was launched earlier than anticipated and moved into XM-1's previous location. XM-1 was then moved over next to XM-2, where each satellite operates only one transponder to conserve energy.

The XM signal uses 12.5 MHz of the S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0 MHz. 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. 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.

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. Due to bandwidth restrictions and a large channel load, the maximum bitrate XM broadcast from its satellite per music channel is limited to 64kbs.

Beginning in March 2006, XM will begin broadcasting select channels in 5.1 surround sound audio quality. 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. 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. 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.

Controlling interest

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. Four additional directors are investors, and two are not affiliated with any significant stockholders.

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%).

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.

XM in Canada

In November 2004, Canadian Satellite Radio filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to bring the XM service to Canada. Along with Sirius Canada and CHUM Subscription Radio Canada, CSR was one of three applications for national subscription radio services submitted to the CRTC.

On June 16, 2005, the CRTC approved all three applications. 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. 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. After a lengthy debate, Cabinet rejected the appeals on September 9, 2005.

XM's Canadian channels appeared on US receivers on November 17, 2005. On November 29, 2005, XM Canada officially launched.

Satellite footprints

See XM's footprints for the US and Canada.

XM radio channels

See List of XM Satellite Radio channels


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See List of XM Satellite Radio channels. At least one version of corporate history claims that the twenty-year-old Irving Thalberg rose so quickly because he told subordinates that he alone spoke for Carl Laemmle in making production decisions, while the others were more concerned with battling among themselves. See XM's footprints for the US and Canada. For several years some of these junior partners carried considerable weight within Universal; inevitably factions and rivalries were the rule. On November 29, 2005, XM Canada officially launched. Among those early film-production studios (and their proprietors) were:. XM's Canadian channels appeared on US receivers on November 17, 2005. In the early years of Universal, the company absorbed a number of small firms.

After a lengthy debate, Cabinet rejected the appeals on September 9, 2005. Movie Not Listed. 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. For example, for Waterworld in 1995, the sea level on earth rises, covering the land as the Universal title moves into place. 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. There have been occasional modifications to the logo to match the picture. On June 16, 2005, the CRTC approved all three applications. Added to this was a dramatic, swelling theme by Jerry Goldsmith.

Along with Sirius Canada and CHUM Subscription Radio Canada, CSR was one of three applications for national subscription radio services submitted to the CRTC. This was tweaked a bit in 1997 to add lights on earth and highlights on the rotating letter-wrap. In November 2004, Canadian Satellite Radio filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to bring the XM service to Canada. Using CGI, the new introduction simulates a satellite-eye view of earth; as the point-of-view pulls back, a classically-styled "UNIVERSAL" moves into place like a belt. 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. To celebrate the company's seventy-fifth anniversary, the logo got a digital makeover in 1990. 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%). Added at the bottom of the screen was the sub-head, "AN MCA COMPANY." Earlier on this was used for widescreen where the logo is slower and UNIVERSAL blurs in then A & Pictures are sandwiched on it.

Four additional directors are investors, and two are not affiliated with any significant stockholders. When the "International" portion of the name was dropped in 1963, the logo was updated to a more stylized revolving globe inside a whirling Van Allen Belt, with the name "UNIVERSAL" centered over it. 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. Following the 1946 merger with International Pictures, a new, more conventional logo was introduced, with a realistic representation of earth shown underneath the new name "Universal-International" in a dignified type font. 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. With new management in the mid-1930s came a completely new logo; introduced in 1937, a highly stylized glass globe, surrounded by twinkling stars, rotated to display the name "UNIVERSAL PICTURES." This logo quickly conveyed a message of "new management" while tapping into the modern movement in design. 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. At the end of the movie The End is on the globe then it read " It's A UNIVERSAL PICTURE".

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. An updated logo was introduced in 1929, as a biplane circling the globe "wiped" into place the words "A UNIVERSAL PICTURE". Beginning in March 2006, XM will begin broadcasting select channels in 5.1 surround sound audio quality. Universal has used an image of planet Earth as their logo since the early 1920s. Due to bandwidth restrictions and a large channel load, the maximum bitrate XM broadcast from its satellite per music channel is limited to 64kbs. As presently structured, GE owns 80% of NBC Universal, with Vivendi holding the remaining 20%, with an option to sell its share in 2006. 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. The reorganized "Universal" film conglomerate has enjoyed several financially successful years.

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. remained the name of the production subsidiary; and while some expressed doubts that regimented, profit-minded GE and high-living Hollywood could coexist, so far the mix seems to be working. 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. The resulting media super-conglomerate was re-named NBC Universal, while Universal Studios Inc. The XM signal uses 12.5 MHz of the S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0 MHz. Subsequently burdened with debt, Vivendi sold its majority share in Universal (including the studio and theme parks) to GE in 2004, parent of NBC. XM-1 was then moved over next to XM-2, where each satellite operates only one transponder to conserve energy. (These same properties would be bought back later at greatly inflated prices.) Seeing a way out, in June 2000, Seagram sold itself to French water-utility and media company Vivendi and the media conglomerate became Vivendi/Universal, while the music-related subsidiaries of MCA were sold to Geffen Music, thus effectively ending the existence of MCA.

To compensate for this flaw, XM-3 was launched earlier than anticipated and moved into XM-1's previous location. sold Universal's television holdings (including cable network USA) to Barry Diller. 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). To raise money, Seagram head Edgar Bronfman, Jr. The combination of three satellites and a ground-based repeater network is designed to provide gap-free coverage anywhere within the continental U.S. to enter the lucrative videotape sales industry; but the up-and-down profit in Hollywood was no substitute for a secure cash-cow like whiskey. 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. Hoping to build a media empire around Universal, Seagram bought Polygram and other entertainment properties, and created MCA/Universal Home Video Inc.

XM provides digital programming directly from three satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator. This provided a cash infusion, but the clash of cultures was too great to overcome, and, in frustration, five years later Matsushita sold control MCA/Universal to the Canadian liquor-distributor Seagram. DirecTV now gives listeners as part of its service the music and talk channels of XM, but not the news or traffic channels. At this time, the production subsidiary was renamed Universal Studios Inc. 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. Anxious to expand its broadcast and cable presence, in 1990 Lew Wasserman, now head of MCA, sought a rich partner, of MCA/Universal to Matsushita Electric, the Japanese electronics manufacturer. 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. There would be other film hits like E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park, but overall the film business was still hit-and-miss.

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. Weekly series production was the workhorse of the company. 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. Though Universal's film unit did produce occasional hits, among them Airport, The Sting, American Graffiti, and a blockbuster that restored the company's fortunes, Jaws, Universal in the 1970s was primarily a television studio. 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. An innovation of which Universal was especially proud was the creation in this period of the ninety-minute, made-for-television movie. 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. Television now carried the load, as Revue-MCA dominated the American networks, particularly NBC (which later merged with Universal to form NBC Universal-see below), where for several seasons it provided up to half of all prime time shows.

XM-capable receivers cost US$30 – US$300. But it was too late, since the audience was no longer there, and by 1968, the film-production unit began to downsize. . And so, with MCA in charge, for a few years in the 1960s Universal became what it had never been: a full-blown, first-class movie studio, with leading actors and directors under contract; offering slick, commercial films; and a studio tour subsidiary (launched in 1964). XM was founded in 1992 as American Mobile Radio Corporation. As a last gesture before getting out of the talent agency business, virtually every MCA client was signed to a Universal contract. “XM175”, “XM4”, “XM32”). remained a subsidiary only engaged in export/international release of Universal product.

XM channels are identified by Arbitron with the label “XM” (e.g. Universal-International Pictures Inc. 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. The actual, long-awaited takeover of Universal Pictures by MCA finally took place in mid-1962, and the production subsidiary reverted in name to Universal Pictures, while the parent company became MCA/Universal Pictures Inc. XM provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to premium cable television. The studio lot was upgraded and modernized, while MCA clients like Doris Day, Lana Turner, and Cary Grant were signed to Universal Pictures contracts. 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. Although MCA owned the studio lot, but not Universal Pictures, it was increasingly influential on Universal's product.

Also, Oprah's team of personalities who appear on her television show will also host programs on the channel. After a period of complete shutdown, a moribund Universal agreed to sell its (by now) 360-acre (1.5 km²) studio lot to MCA in 1958, for $11 million. Oprah will host an original weekly XM program. Talent agent MCA had also become a powerful television producer, renting space at Republic Studios for its Revue Productions subsidiary. A new channel called "Oprah and Friends" will launch beginning in September 2006. The combination of the studio/theater-chain break-up and the rise of television saw the mass audience drift away, probably forever. On February 9, 2006, XM announced that they had signed Oprah Winfrey to a three-year contract. By the late 1950s, the motion picture business was in trouble.

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. This kind of arrangement would become the rule for many future productions at Universal, and eventually at other studios as well. On January 4, 2006, XM announced that it has passed the 6 million subscriber mark. When one of those films, Winchester '73 proved to be a hit, Stewart became a rich man. 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. Wasserman's deal gave Stewart a share in the profits of three pictures in lieu of a large salary. On November 29, 2005, XM launched its service in Canada. Leading actors were increasingly free to work where and when they chose, and in 1950 MCA agent Lew Wasserman made a deal with Universal for his client James Stewart that would change the rules of the business.

"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. case. "Home Ice", part of XM's sports lineup, featuring NHL games. Paramount Pictures, et al. "Franc Parler", the place for Canadian news, talk, and information. vs. "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. Though Decca would continue to keep picture-budgets lean, they were favored by changing circumstances in the film business, as other studios let their contract-actors go in the wake of the 1948 U.S.

"Laugh Attack", Canadian comedic talent. At this point Rank lost interest and sold his shares to the investor Milton Rackmil, whose Decca Records would take full control of Universal in 1952. "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. By the late 1940s, Goetz was out, and the studio reverted once more to the low-budget fare it knew best. "Air Musique", French punk, hip-hop, metal, electronic and alternative rock music. While there were to be a few hits like The Egg & I, The Killers, and Naked City, the studio still struggled. "unSigned", which now plays new and recently discovered Canadian artists. William Goetz, a founder of International, was made head of production at the re-named (as Universal-International Pictures Inc.) production arm of the Universal Pictures complex (distribution and copyright control remained under the name of Universal Pictures Company Inc.; Universal-International Pictures additionally served Universal as an import-export subsidiary, and copyright holder for the production arm's films), and he set out an ambitious schedule.

On November 17, 2005, XM launched their new Fall lineup of channels. While trying to improve the quality of the studio's output, he instigated a merger in 1946 with a struggling American independent production company, International Pictures. These include music channels, but not news or sports channels. Arthur Rank bought a one-fourth interest in Universal in 1945. On November 15, 2005, DirecTV began carrying 72 channels of XM programming. After the War, looking to expand his American presence, the British entrepreneur J. On October 18, 2005, XM announced that it will launch "Fox News Talk" Radio in January 2006. During the war years Universal did have a co-production arrangement with producer Walter Wanger and his partner, director Fritz Lang, but their pictures were a small bit of quality in a schedule dominated by the likes of Cobra Woman and Frontier Gal.

Additionally, XM Radio drops two of its Talk and Entertainment channels: MTV and VH1. Fields, and Marlene Dietrich. 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. Low and medium budget fare dominated through the years of World War II, when the studio's most popular stars were the many cast-off Paramount players like Mae West, W.C. On October 3, 2005, XM Radio launched channel "Take 5" (XM 155). Only the films of young singer Deanna Durbin were given reasonably high budgets, under the control of Joe Pasternak upon his emigration from Europe; if any one star can be said to have kept Universal in business during the early 1940s, it was Durbin, despite her often being woefully miscast as a young teenager when she was, clearly, a fully adult woman. 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. By the start of World War II, the company was concentrating on small-budget production of the fare that had once been Universal's sidelines: westerns, melodramas, serials and sequels to the studio's horror classics.

This includes music channels, "Home Plate" (XM 175), and "High Voltage" (XM 202). Gone were the big ambitions, and though Universal had few big names under contract, those it had been cultivating, like William Wyler and Margaret Sullavan, now left. On September 27, 2005, XM announced that starting on November 15th, 2005, DirecTV will carry 72 channels as part of their audio programming. The Laemmles were unceremoniously removed from all association with the company, and the new owners instituted severe cuts in production budgets. On September 27, 2005, XM announced that it surpassed the 5 million subscriber mark. When production dragged on, a cash-strapped studio could not repay the loan, and the bank foreclosed, claiming the pledged collateral, the Laemmle family's stock in (and therefore control of) Universal Pictures Company Inc. 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. Throughout its twenty-plus years' existence, Universal had never borrowed money; to complete production on "Show Boat" the studio turned to the Standard Chartered Bank for a $750,000 production loan.

They join Opie and Anthony on High Voltage XM 202 on September 12th, 2005. His intentions to upgrade production resulted in, in 1935, a lavish, all-star remake of Show Boat. This would prove to be a costly production for the studio, and for the Laemmle family. On August 1, 2005, XM announced the addition of popular radio hosts Ron and Fez. held fast to distribution, studio and production operations. 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. The theater chain was scrapped, but Laemmle Jr. 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. Taking on the task of modernizing and upgrading a film conglomerate in the depths of the depression was risky, and for a time Universal slipped into receivership.

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]). Other Laemmle productions of this period include Imitation of Life and My Man Godfrey. In 5 weeks time, they have added 230,000 subscribers — almost 50% the subscribers added in the previous quarter. also created a successful niche for the studio, beginning a long-running series of horror classics, among them Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy. This indicates exponential growth for the company. Laemmle, Jr. On May 16, 2005, XM announced that subscribership topped the 4 million mark. His early efforts included the 1929 version of Show Boat, the first color musical; King of Jazz; and All Quiet on the Western Front, winner of the "Best Picture" award for 1930.

On April 11, 2005, XM announced that a deal had been reached to be the official satellite radio network of Air America Radio. saw what his father could not, and acted at once to bring Universal up to date, by buying and building theaters, converting the studio to sound production, and upgrading the quality of production. 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. To his credit, Laemmle, Jr. On February 28, 2005, XM's third satellite, Rhythm, was launched successfully. benefitted from one of the greatest acts of nepotism in Hollywood history when his father handed him the keys to — and control of — Universal City as a twenty-first birthday gift in 1928. On January 5, 2005, XM announces the introduction of two more XM2go™ models: Pioneer's AirWare™ and the Tao™ from Giant International. Carl Laemmle, Jr.

As of the 2005 season, XM had exclusive satellite radio broadcast rights to all Major League Baseball games. Nazi persecution and a change in ownership for the parent Universal Pictures organization resulted in the dissolution of this subsidiary. On December 30, 2004, XM announced that it had 3.1 million subscribers. In the USA, Universal Pictures did not distribute any of this subsidiary's films, but at least some of them were exhibited through other, independent, foreign-language film distributors based in New York, without benefit of English subtitles. On October 26, 2004, XM presents its first XM2go™ portable XM receiver: The Delphi MyFi™. With the advent of sound, these productions were made in the German language or, occasionally, Hungarian or Polish. On October 4, 2004, former National Public Radio host Bob Edwards broadcast the first Bob Edwards Show on XM Public Radio, channel 133. This unit produced 3-4 films per year until 1936, migrating to Hungary and then Austria in the face of Hitler's increasing domination of central Europe.

On October 4, 2004, "shock" jocks Opie and Anthony began broadcasting on a premium ($2.99/month extra) XM Satellite Radio. In 1926, Universal also opened a production unit in Germany, Deutsche Universal-Film AG, under production direction of Joe Pasternak. The Acura TL was the first luxury automobile to offer XM radio as "standard" in every vehicle. Mayer company. 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. For a few years in the early twenties the young producer Irving Thalberg tried to improve the quality of Universal's output, but he left in 1923 for a better opportunity with the Louis B. On August 11, 2004, XM's subscriber base broke the 2.5 million mark. Content with a market in small towns, its product was primarily melodramas, cheap westerns, and serials.

On March 1, 2004, XM Radio launched Instant Traffic and Weather Channels for major metropolitan markets in the United States. By the early 1920s, as the other studios soared, Universal was decidedly in the second rank. In July 2003 the company had nearly 700,000 subscribers. He also financed all of his own films, refusing to take on debt. 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. Unlike rivals Adolph Zukor, William Fox and Marcus Loew, Laemmle chose not to develop a theater chain. In 2001, XM service was launched, first in San Diego and Dallas/Fort Worth and then nationwide. Despite Laemmle's role as an innovator, as a studio head he was extremely cautious, and within a few years the rapidly expanding film business had passed him by.

In July 2000, American Honda joined several private investors in a $235 million preferred stock investment in the company. Studio management now became the third facet of Universal's operations, with the studio incorporated as a distinct subsidiary organization. Both Clear Channel and DIRECTV agreed to develop services for XM. Following the westward trend of the industry, in 1915, Laemmle opened the world's largest motion-picture production facility, Universal City Studios, on a 230-acre (0.9 km²) converted farm just over the Cahuenga Pass from Hollywood. In June 1999, Clear Channel Communications, DirecTV, General Motors, and a private investment group invested $250 million in XM Radio convertible debt. By naming the stars of films, he was able to attract many of the leading players of the time, and created the star-system which helps sell films today. In October 1997 the company obtained one of only two satellite digital audio radio service licenses offered by the Federal Communications Commission. Though dodging the Edison trust, the new Universal company was an immediate success, in part because Laemmle broke with Edison's custom of refusing credit to actors.

Film production and distribution were the Universal company's activities. Eventually all would be bought out by Laemmle. While Laemmle was the primary figure in Universal, by absorbing several smaller firms he acquired a number of partners, among them Mark Dintinfass, Charles Baumann and Adam Kessel, and Pat Powers. That company quickly evolved into the "Independent Moving Picture Company", or IMP; and a further reorganization in 1911 saw IMP reincorporate as the "Universal Film Manufacturing Co.," on June 8, 1912, introducing the word "universal" into the organization's name.

Soon Laemmle and other disgruntled nickelodeon owners saw that a way to avoid paying Edison was to produce their own pictures, and in June 1909, Laemmle and partners started the Yankee Film Company. Using Edison's patent on the electric motor used in cameras and projectors, the trust collected fees on all aspects of movie production and exhibition, and also held a monopoly on distribution. For Laemmle and other such entrepreneurs, the creation in 1908 of the Edison-backed Motion Picture Trust meant that exhibitors were expected to pay fees for any trust-produced film they showed. Within weeks of his Chicago trip, he gave up dry-goods to buy the first of several nickelodeons.

One story has Laemmle watching a box office for hours, counting patrons and calculating the take for the day. On a 1905 buying trip to Chicago, he was struck by the popularity of nickelodeons. Carl Laemmle partnered with Abe Stern and Julius Stern to create Universal Pictures. The founder of Universal, Carl Laemmle, was an German Jewish immigrant who had settled in Wisconsin, where he managed a clothing store.

The longest-lived Hollywood film production company, Universal Pictures can trace its origins back to the creation in 1909 of a predecessor, the Yankee Film Company. . Distribution and other corporate, administrative offices are based in New York City. Universal Studios, a subsidiary of NBC Universal, has production studios and offices located at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County between Los Angeles and Burbank.

Los Angeles Library Photo Collection "Nestor Studios" . Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills - map Providencial and Water Development. Los Angeles Library Photo Collection "Bird-Eye View of Universal City" 1911. Putnam's Sons, 1931, illustrated.

G.P. The Life and Adventures of Carl Laemmle. Drinkwater, John. New York: Vintage, 1994.

Movie-Made America. Skalr, Robert. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. When Hollywood Had a King.

Bruck, Connie. New York: Crown Publishers, 1998. The Last Mogul: Lew Wasserman, MCA and the Hidden History of Hollywood. McDougal, Dennis.

New York: Fireside, 1989. The Hollywood Studios. Mordden, Ethan. New York: Pantheon Books, 1989.

The Genius of the System. Schatz, Thomas. Rex Motion Picture Co., William Swanson. Powers Motion Picture Co., Pat Powers, president.

The New York Motion Picture Company, Charles Baumann and Adam Kessel, proprietors. Nestor Motion Picture Company, David Horsley. Champion Motion Picture Co., Mark Dintinfass, president. Miami Vice (2006).

Nanny McPhee (2006). Curious George (2006). Two for the Money (2005). The Skeleton Key (2005).

Serenity (2005). The Producers (2005). Prime (2005). The Perfect Man (2005).

Munich (2005). King Kong (2005). Kicking & Screaming (2005). Jarhead (2005).

Cinderella Man (2005). The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005). Van Helsing (2004). Ray (2004, distribution).

Meet the Fockers (2004). In Good Company (2004). Friday Night Lights (2004). The Chronicles of Riddick (2004).

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004). The Bourne Supremacy (2004). Seabiscuit (2003). The Rundown (2003).

Peter Pan (2003). Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003). Love Actually (2003). Hulk (2003).

Honey (2003). The Cat in the Hat (2003). Bruce Almighty (2003). American Wedding (2003).

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003). 8 Mile (2002). The Bourne Identity (2002). Jurassic Park III (2001).

American Pie 2 (2001). The Mummy Returns (2001). A Beautiful Mind (2001, distribution). Erin Brockovich (2000, distribution).

End of Days (1999). American Pie (1999). The Mummy (1999). The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).

Daylight (1996). Casino (Film) (1995). Balto (1995). Apollo 13 (1995).

Junior (1994). We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993, distribution). Schindler's List (1993). Jurassic Park (1993).

Carlitos Way (1993). Scent of a Woman (1992). Child's Play 3 (1991). Kindergarten Cop (1990).

Child's Play 2 (1990). Back to the Future Part III (1990). An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1990). Back to the Future Part II (1989).

The Land Before Time (1988 plus sequels). Jaws: The Revenge (1987). An American Tail (1986). The Breakfast Club (1985).

Back to the Future (1985). Sixteen Candles (1984). Scarface (1983). Jaws 3-D (1983).

The Thing (1982). Sophie's Choice (1982). Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

E.T. Conan the Barbarian (1982). On Golden Pond (1981). The Blues Brothers (1980 plus sequel 2000).

National Lampoon's Animal House (1978). Jaws 2 (1978). The Deer Hunter (1978). Slap Shot (1977).

Jaws (1975). The Sting (1973). American Graffiti (1973). Silent Running (1971).

The Andromeda Strain (1971). Airport (1970) and its sequels (released 1974, 1977 and 1979). Marnie (1964). The Birds (1963).

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). That Touch of Mink (1962, distribution). Lover Come Back (1961, distribution). Spartacus (1960).

Pillow Talk (1959). Written on the Wind (1956). Magnificent Obsession (1954). Winchester '73 (1950).

Hamlet (1948). Naked City (1947). The Killers (1946). The Egg & I (1946).

The Bank Dick (1940). My Little Chickadee (1939). One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937). Three Smart Girls (1936).

My Man Godfrey (1936). Show Boat (1936). Magnificent Obsession (1935). The Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

Imitation of Life (1934). The Invisible Man (1933). Counsellor at Law (1933). Back Street (1932).

Frankenstein (1931). Dracula (1931). The King of Jazz (1930). All Quiet on the Western Front (1930).

Show Boat (1929). The Phantom of the Opera (1925). The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923). Foolish Wives (1921).