About 15 years ago I elected to take a lifetime subscription to Sirius satellite radio.   It has since merged with XM satellite radio becoming, you guessed it, SiriusXM.

The cost was about $500 versus an annual cost of about $180 at that time.  Today it costs about $275/ yr.  In 15 years, based on$180 a year, I would have paid $2700 to date and with the cost rising as it has probably much more.

The Value Equation

I use SiriusXM both in my car, great for long trips, and for streaming.  Streaming wise it is very similar to most streaming apps with a wide variety of play-listed channels as well as , of course radio channels.

Given I listen. every day, either streaming or on a drive, I am clearly on the positive side of the value equation and getting better everyday.

Unlike regular radio stations, distance limited, there are no commercials as well.  So I am basically getting the station commercial free at this point without any cost.

The Service Test

Periodically SiriusXM releases a new app for streaming their content.  Today’s update locked streaming on all channels for lifetime subscribers.

You can access your account, view your favorites and music library, but thats it.  Nothing plays.

There support is reasonable, first I tried phone but there wasa wait so I switched to chat.  Of course they went through all the standard checks, a waste of time for me as I had already tried their suggestions.

Ultimately they took my suggestion that the update was at issue, escalated and told me it was a known issue and they were “on it” as my brother often says.

What’s Next

The problem persists, this the point where you subscribe to my blog and wait with bated breath for the next instalment.

Will they fix it as promised?  How long will it take?