XM Satellite Radio announced Friday that it has more than 1,680,000 subscribers. The company closed the first quarter of 2004 with an addition of more than 320,000 new net subscribers, a 230 percent increase in new subscribers compared to the first quarter of 2003, when XM recorded 135,916 new subscribers.
“XM has started 2004 on a very strong note. Consumers have clearly embraced XM’s 2004 programming lineup featuring 100% commercial-free music and the new XM Instant Traffic & Weather service for major markets nationwide,” said Hugh Panero, XM President and CEO.
“This strong performance firmly positions the company for its 2004 goal of more than 2.8 million subscribers by year’s end.”
Separately, XM announced today it will launch on April 5 a new political talk channel called America Right (XM Channel 166), formerly called Buzz XM. The channel will feature conservative superstars Bill Bennett, Michael Savage, Michael Reagan and Laura Ingraham among others.
This channel addition follows XM’s recent launch of political talk channel America Left (XM Channel 167), dedicated to progressive talk radio featuring Air America Radio talk personalities such as Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo.
