Horse Racing Coming to Satellite

It looks like horse-racing fans will soon be enjoying their favorite sport on satellite. Today Sirius XM announced plans to add the TVG Racing Network to their satellite radio service starting this Friday on Sirius channel 126 and XM channel 243.

The audio broadcast will make TVG’s network content, which is currently available to 33 million households to more then 18 million Sirius XM customers around the country.

In addition to horse-racing becoming available on Sirius XM it appears that shortly Dish Network customers will be able to tune in to up to 80 channels of racing action. According to the website of the Racetrack Television Network it now appears that November 15th is the new tentative date for this extensive package to move to Dish Network. (The package was supposed to launch back in September.)

According to a press release issued back in May the 80 channel package will cost $49.99 a month and in addition there will be a $29.99 best of RTN package which is simulcast feeds of 12 of the top RTN racetracks running at any time.

Not quite sure how horse-racing will do on satellite radio but I know a lot of folks will be very happy with the RTN offering on Dish Network.

Earnings Today

I was not really surprised with the reports from DirecTV and Sirius XM radio today. The DirecTV numbers were in line with my estimates. While experts say that the recession is over, I think its just starting to hit the satellite providers and will continue to bring the earnings down for both companies.

Sirius XM’s numbers looked ok, I definitely think that the company can make money. If it was not for the fed dragging their feet on the merger I think the company would be in much better shape today. Of course next week on the 12th is the day that XM died to many XM fans, as it was the day the merged and killed much of the programming that made XM unique.

Speaking of Sirius XM

It must be that time of the year again, as Sirius XM just announced their holiday channel lineup. The holiday season kicks into gear on Monday November 16th with the launch of Holly and Holiday Traditions. On December 7th Sirius XM will add Holiday Pops, Country Christmas and Radio Hanukkah to their lineups.

All the holiday channels will also be available from the Sirius and XM online streaming services as well.

Missing from their lineup is one of my holiday favorites, which was Special XMAS which played all the great novelty holiday songs.

If the Sirius XM Santa Clause is listening I would like to have American Top 40 with Casey Kasem back to the 80’s on 8 channel.