Things never get dull for the country's lone satellite-radio provider. Shares of Sirius XM Radio (SIRI -1.29%) moved higher on the week, inching up 1.2% to close at $3.43. The move was slightly better than the Nasdaq's 0.7% climb.
There was more going on beyond the share-price gyrations, though. It teamed up with more automakers to offer multiyear trials of its premium non-radio offerings. It also teamed up with Google's (GOOG 0.37%) YouTube to roll out a new weekly show. And Google got in the vehicle infotainment market where Sirius XM is trying to make a mark.
Let's take a closer look.
Telematics shift into gear
Sirius XM struck deals with Lincoln and Chrysler to offer several years of SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link for eligible 2015 model vehicles. Sirius XM has been serious about growing beyond its flagship satellite radio service, and locking up drivers for the long haul -- six yearx for Lincoln and five years for Chrysler -- will keep drivers close.
Sirius XM has now struck three similar deals with major car brands in the past two weeks. These moves aren't just about traffic reports and navigation, as the product names suggest. Sirius XM is beefing up the platforms to do everything from serve up local multiplex showtimes and searching for the cheapest gas prices around.
YouTube loses the picture
Google's YouTube is the world's top video-streaming site, but that doesn't mean it always has to be a visual art form. Google and Sirius XM are teaming up to introduce YouTube 15, a weekly show on the SiriusXM Hits 1 channel. It will be hosted by YouTube star Jenna Marbles, featuring the music that's trending on the taste-making website.
This is a win for both companies. YouTube will receive some more exposure, receiving recognition as a breaker of new music along the way. Sirius XM will benefit from reaching more than Marbles' 13 million YouTube subscribers, since rising celebrities may be featured there before they break into mainstream radio.
Android Auto shifts into gear
Google used its I/O Conference on Wednesday to introduce a wide range of products, but the relevant unveiling here was for Android Auto. The platform uses the Bluetooth connectivity of Android phones to serve up a driver-optimized experience of many smartphone functions.
The I/O demo of Android Auto featured Google Map and more importantly for our purposes Google Music. Having ech giants push into the connected vehicle infotainment market bears watching, because that can always come at the expense of premium subscriptions if it becomes too easy to stream music apps through car dashboards.
Satellite radio is never boring.
