XM Hooks Up With RIM's Blackberry

XM (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, Tuesday announced that XM Radio Mobile has selected QuickPlay’s OpenVideo as the first media management platform to make XM Radio Mobile universally available on select BlackBerry 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 complementary 24-hour trial.

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 lifestyle.”

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 8800 Series, BlackBerry 8700 Series, BlackBerry Pearl Series and BlackBerry Curve Series smartphones with a BlackBerry data plan on major U.S. mobile carrier networks.

“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, which already includes 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.

Disclosure: Long XMSR, SIRI.