BMW Group to Introduce Digital Satellite Radio
6 January 2000
BMW Group to Introduce Digital Satellite Radio
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Jan. 6 -- The BMW Group today announced
that it would be one of the first companies to offer digital satellite radio
in all its vehicles sold in the US. Starting as early as 2001, the company
plans to install radios capable of receiving 100 channels of commercial-free
music, information and entertainment programming in BMW and Land Rover
vehicles sold in the United States. National and international news will be a
key feature of the commercial-free offerings. Sirius Satellite Radio
, which is deploying a unique national satellite broadcast
system, will be the service provider.
"The BMW Group has a history of pioneering new and useful technology in
our vehicles," commented Hans Duenzl, vice president of BMW of North America.
"With the 21st century promising to be the 'digital information age,' our
partnership with Sirius will provide our customers with an audio information
and entertainment system that matches the technology of the vehicle itself."
The BMW Group will also work with Sirius to develop innovative data and
telematic functions exclusively for BMW and Land Rover customers. Once
operational, a BMW or Land Rover customer will be able to listen to the same
crystal-clear, digital programming while driving anywhere within the
continental US.
"We're extremely pleased that the BMW Group has chosen Sirius Radio as its
partner in bringing the next generation of audio entertainment to its
exceptional line of vehicles," said David Margolese, Sirius chairman and chief
executive. "Discriminating Land Rover and BMW customers will be among the
first to experience Sirius Radio's unprecedented choice of programming, its
commercial-free music, and its seamless signal coverage across the U.S."
Sirius Satellite Radio is building a digital satellite radio system that
will broadcast an unprecedented breadth of music and entertainment programming
to subscribers throughout the continental United States. The company plans to
offer 50 channels of commercial-free music, all created at the company's
National Broadcast Studio in New York City, and up to 50 channels of news,
sports and entertainment programming for a monthly subscription fee of $9.95.
Sirius has created alliances with critically acclaimed artists and on-air
personalities, including Sting, Grandmaster Flash, and MC Lyte, who will have
regularly scheduled programs on Sirius. The company has also announced
agreements with some of the world's foremost creators of audio information and
entertainment programming, including National Public Radio, USA Networks/SCI
FI Channel, Bloomberg and the BBC. Sirius also has the exclusive right to
carry the nationally acclaimed "Car Talk" program on satellite radio. Sirius
programming is scheduled to commence late this year. Sirius changed its name
from CD Radio in November.
BMW IN AMERICA
BMW entered the U.S. market in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to
include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United
States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California;
a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the
country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than
340 automobile and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the
Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the World
Wide Web on the BMW homepage. The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com.
More information about Sirius Satellite Radio is available at
http://www.siriusradio.com.