Why I think that Satellite radio is more effective than Terrestrial radio

Satellite Radio…It’s just better

Satellite radio and other online stations are better than traditional or terrestrial radio.  It allows you to access more information.  You can listen to any genre, at anytime, anywhere.  Satellite radio doesn’t drop out like terrestrial radio does.  It also has less commercials.  This gives the listener more uninterrupted music options.  Some forms of satellite radio, like iTunes radio, allow you to listen to a song and if you like it then you can buy it right on the spot. 

Here are a few reasons why satellite radio is better and more effective than terrestrial radio. 

Access to More Avenues of Radio:

Satellite radio allows the listener access to multiple types of radio ranging from different music styles, to sports radio, and even talk radio. Wikipedia reported that “satellite signal footprint covers millions of kilometers” whereas AM/FM radio relies heavily on antennas set on tall buildings and mountaintops.  Terrestrial radio also relies on miles and miles of ground cable which can be expensive.  SiriusXM radio boast that they have over 150 stations and channels. Kevin Levine, in a post called “Terrestrial radio Sucks”, reported that iTunes radio alone has 543 stations that one can choose to stream.  If you’re lucky you’ll get 4-8 stations available to you in most of your cities and towns (like St. George).  In big cities like Las Vegas and Salt Lake City you will have access to more radio stations; however it will not come close to the number offered by satellite radio. 

Doesn’t Cut Out or Get Fuzzy:

Satellite radio doesn’t cut out or get fuzzy like traditional or terrestrial radio stations.  This is because it does not rely on antennas like terrestrial radio. Depending on where you live, you may not get clear radio signals.  For example, Valley View and Dixie Drive in St George are blocked by a mountain that causes most stations to be unclear. 

Fewer Commercials:

Satellite radio has few or no commercials based on a customer’s subscription.  It costs approximately $10-20 for a monthly satellite radio subscription.  iTunes radio does have commercials like terrestrial radio, however, you can listen to any style of music you want, regardless of where you are, and with less advertising. Again, this gives the listener or consumer infinitely more options than that of terrestrial radio. 

Capability to Download Individual Songs:

Growing up, I only had access to AM/FM radio.  My brother and I used to listen to the radio, anxiously awaiting our favorite song (Snoop Dogg, Rage Against the Machine, etc…).  Like most kids, we relied on the local radio station to deliver our favorite songs to our ears.  This was all before the digital download era.

When we were kids you couldn’t download or buy individual songs.  In order to own our favorite songs, we were forced to purchase an entire cassette or CD, which wasn’t an option for kids with limited resources.  We were left with the only option possible: record songs off of the radio-and potentially miss our favorite song.  My brother and I would sit around and waste hours of time hoping to catch our favorite song on the radio in order to record it.  However, most times we would miss the first few words or lines of the song, defeating our purpose.

In closing, the items mentioned above show that satellite and other avenues of radio are the future, and terrestrial radio is on the road to extinction.