Have you seen commercials for satellite radio lately on TV? Wondered about the companies that started this trend, do you know much about satellite, wondering if it's going to be around for a while? Let's talk about the forerunner in the Satellite Radio market, Sirius Radio.

Sirius Satellite Radio, a New York City based corporation, began business in 1992 when the FCC allocated a spectrum in the "S" band (2.3 GHz) for broadcasting of satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service. Sirius paid more than $80 million for their broadcast license.

Initially, Sirius began business under the name CD Radio. Sirius utilizes three geosynchronous satellites in orbit above North America (with a fourth satellite in storage as a backup.) Sirius satellite provides customers with 65 programming streams of music and 55 streams of sports, news and entertainment.

Sirius took their corporate name from the star Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. Sirius (the star's) name was derived from the Egyptian god Osiers, who was depicted as a dog. Sirius Radio's corporate logo is a dog that bears the nickname "Mongo."

Sirius radio operates satellites in orbit over the continental United States. A recent partnership with the Canadian Broadcast Company will also make Sirius available to Canadian customers.

In 2001 and 2002 many car manufacturers have began offering satellite receivers as upgrade equipment options in some vehicles. As of 2004, even more manufactures will offer satellite receivers in vehicles. Sirius has a partnership with Ford and Daimler-Chrysler to offer satellite receivers in vehicles.

Satellite radio doesn't have to follow the same guidelines for broadcasting as the FCC enforces on AM/FC radio stations. As a result of recent controversies surrounding public decency in broadcasting, Sirius was able to attract highly controversial but profitable Howard Stern to their programming schedule. Sterns contract begins in 2006.

Sirius' main competition in the satellite radio market is XM radio. Both provide clear radio communications that are available across the United States.