XM and QuickPlay Announce First Universally Available XM Radio Mobile Service
for BlackBerry Smartphones
BlackBerry Users Can Now Stream 20 Channels of Popular XM Music and Comedy
Content through Major U.S. Mobile Service Providers
LAS VEGAS, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CTIA Booth #4544 -- XM
(Nasdaq: XMSR), the nation's leading provider of satellite radio with more
than 9 million subscribers, and QuickPlay Media, the leader in mobile TV and
video solutions, today announced that XM Radio Mobile has selected QuickPlay's
OpenVideo(TM) as the first media management platform to make XM Radio Mobile
universally available on select BlackBerry(R) smartphones from Research In
Motion (RIM). The service, which can run across major U.S. mobile service
providers' networks, enables consumers to get 20 exclusive XM channels of
commercial-free music and 24-hour comedy programming for just $7.99 per month
with an option for a complimentary 24-hour trial.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070313/XMLOGO )
The XM Radio Mobile offering provides BlackBerry smartphone users with
unlimited access to a wide selection of the most popular commercial-free music
channels, including XM's 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s decade channels, 20on20 (Top 20
Hits), Ethel (New Alternative Rock), The City (Hip-Hop/R&B Hits), XMU (Indie
Rock), Watercolors (Easy Jazz) and Highway 16 (New Country Hits). Customers
can also listen to XM comedy channels, The Virus (outrageous uncensored talk)
and XM Comedy (uncensored comedy).
"Together with QuickPlay, XM Radio Mobile will provide BlackBerry users
with access to a compelling selection of XM's acclaimed music and comedy
programming virtually anywhere they go," said Vernon Irvin, EVP and Chief
Marketing Officer, XM Satellite Radio. "Today's announcement reinforces XM's
commitment to making our industry-leading content available to consumers in
ways that fit their lifestyles."
All XM channels are easily accessed via a simple user interface with
graphical icons for content genres and channels. While listening to one XM
Radio Mobile channel, users can see the song title, artist and album, as well
as what's currently playing on other XM Radio Mobile channels. Subscribers can
also multi-task as XM Radio Mobile can run in the background while the user
accesses other data applications on their BlackBerry smartphone.
BlackBerry smartphones supported by the XM Mobile Radio service require
BlackBerry Device Software 4.2 or higher and include the BlackBerry(R) 8800
Series, BlackBerry(R) 8700 Series, BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) Series and
BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) Series smartphones with a BlackBerry data plan on
major U.S. mobile carrier networks. The service, and a complimentary 24-hour
trial, is available via a downloadable application that can be easily accessed
by visiting www.xmradio.com/bb from the BlackBerry smartphone's browser, or by
texting "XM" to 47201 and clicking on the download link provided. Subscribers
can opt to have their purchase charged to their credit card or where available
billed directly to their service provider.
"QuickPlay Media is thrilled to partner with XM, the leader in audio
entertainment, to offer BlackBerry smartphone users the ability to easily
discover and enjoy music and comedy from XM Radio Mobile, regardless of which
U.S. service provider they subscribe to," said Wayne Purboo, president and
CEO, QuickPlay Media. "Additionally, we are proud to continue to expand our
portfolio of services for the BlackBerry platform, including the first audio
streaming service for BlackBerry, called QuickPlayer; and the first free video
streaming service for BlackBerry, called VideoStreams."
In addition to XM Radio Mobile for BlackBerry smartphones, XM programming
is also available to consumers through a growing number of new platforms,
including: on the Web through XM Radio Online; via podcasts at
www.xmradio.com/podcasts or www.itunes.com; and through select GPS products.
XM Radio Mobile on BlackBerry is being featured at CTIA in the QuickPlay
booth (#4544- Hall N3/N4) and in the BlackBerry booth (#425 - LVCC Central).
Further information and instruction is available online via
www.xmradio.com/mobile or through the BlackBerry smartphone browser at
www.xmradio.com/bb.
About XM
XM (Nasdaq: XMSR) is America's number one satellite radio company with
more than 9 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in
Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's
2008 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to
coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy,
children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and
weather information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for
the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda,
Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota is available in
140 different vehicle models for 2008. XM's industry-leading products are
available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. XM programming is also
available through XM Radio Online, the exclusive home on the Internet for XM's
commercial-free music channels; as downloads of original XM shows via podcasts
from XM's Web site or the Apple's iTunes Store; and as streams of commercial-
free XM music channels to AT&T and Alltel wireless customers through XM Radio
Mobile. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships,
please visit http://www.xmradio.com
About QuickPlay Media
QuickPlay Media provides content management and service delivery solutions
for mobile television and video services. The QuickPlay OpenVideo(TM) platform
offers maximum flexibility and streamlined application integration for mobile
operators, media companies and technology partners. The platform powers mobile
video services for 13 major mobile operators in North America and Europe,
providing both live and on-demand content from more than 150 different media
companies. OpenVideo works in many different mobile content ecosystems,
seamlessly operating with major search, advertising, billing and user
interface frameworks. QuickPlay Media Inc. has offices in Toronto, San
Francisco and London. For complete information, please visit www.quickplay.com
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are
the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
Research In Motion (RIM) is authorizing the use of its trademarks in this
specific press release only.
RIM's limited approval is not a license, implied or otherwise, to its
trademarks or any other intellectual property rights. Notwithstanding this
limited approval, RIM reserves all rights with respect to its intellectual
property.
SOURCE XM
Christi Dean of fama PR, +1-617-758-4153, quickplay@famapr.com, for QuickPlay
Media Inc.; or Chance Patterson, +1-202-380-4318,
Chance.patterson@xmradio.com, or David Butler, +1-202-380-4317,
David.butler@xmradio.com, both of XM Satellite Radio
