Sirius Satellite Radio To Take Video To The CarSirius Satellite Radio To Take Video To The Car

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. on Wednesday said it will use Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Media Video player within Sirius's upcoming mobile entertainment platform for the car.

New York-based Sirius plans to offer video service in the second half of 2006, devoting two or three channels to the premium service that will offer content designed primarily for children.

The growth in DVD sales has increased demand for video capabilities in family cars, particularly for entertainment in the rear-seat portion of the compartment, Sirius said.

"Working together with Microsoft will help ensure the exciting development of a solid and user friendly video platform for SIRIUS for years to come," Mel Karmazin, chief executive for Sirius, said in a statement.

In licensing the use of Windows Media Video 9, Microsoft has also agreed to collaborate with Sirius in the development of video applications, the latter company said.

Windows Media's compression efficiencies and other features makes it well suited for reception of video in mobile environments, according to Sirius.

Sirius broadcasts more than 120 radio channels of commercial-free music, news, talk and entertainment programming.

Last year, Sirius signed a five-year, $500 million deal to add shock jock Howard Stern to its programming starting in 2006.

Later in the year, Sirius's larger rival, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., signed an 11-year, $650 million deal to broadcast Major League Baseball games beginning with the 2005 season.

Sirius also has deals with other major sports leagues. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. on Wednesday said it will use Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Media Video player within Sirius's upcoming mobile entertainment platform for the car.

New York-based Sirius plans to offer video service in the second half of 2006, devoting two or three channels to the premium service that will offer content designed primarily for children.

The growth in DVD sales has increased demand for video capabilities in family cars, particularly for entertainment in the rear-seat portion of the compartment, Sirius said.

"Working together with Microsoft will help ensure the exciting development of a solid and user friendly video platform for SIRIUS for years to come," Mel Karmazin, chief executive for Sirius, said in a statement.

In licensing the use of Windows Media Video 9, Microsoft has also agreed to collaborate with Sirius in the development of video applications, the latter company said.

Windows Media's compression efficiencies and other features makes it well suited for reception of video in mobile environments, according to Sirius.

Sirius broadcasts more than 120 radio channels of commercial-free music, news, talk and entertainment programming.

Last year, Sirius signed a five-year, $500 million deal to add shock jock Howard Stern to its programming starting in 2006.

Later in the year, Sirius's larger rival, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., signed an 11-year, $650 million deal to broadcast Major League Baseball games beginning with the 2005 season.

Sirius also has deals with other major sports leagues.