Sirius XM Holdings Inc. reports developments across its North American audio entertainment portfolio, including the flagship SiriusXM satellite and streaming subscription service, Pandora streaming services, a podcast network, and business and advertising solutions. Company news commonly covers operating and financial results, subscriber and advertising trends, programming across music, talk, news, and sports, and distribution through vehicles and streaming platforms.
Updates also include board-declared cash dividends, debt financing activity at Sirius XM Radio LLC, tender offers for senior notes, and advertising sales relationships handled through SiriusXM Media. These releases connect the company's subscription audio, ad-supported streaming, podcast, and advertising businesses with its capital-allocation and balance-sheet actions.
Jaguar Land Rover North America and SiriusXM announced the New Range Rover will feature SiriusXM with 360L as a standard feature, enhancing in-car audio experiences. Deliveries will begin in Spring 2022, marking the first vehicle from Jaguar and Land Rover to include this technology. By model year 2023, all vehicles with the PIVI Pro infotainment system will have this capability. SiriusXM with 360L combines satellite and streaming services, offering extensive content and personalization options, enhancing the driving experience.
SiriusXM (NASDAQ: SIRI) has inked a multi-year agreement with Audiochuck, granting exclusive global ad sales rights for popular podcasts including Crime Junkie and others. Audiochuck, helmed by Ashley Flowers, aims to use this partnership to enhance content development and reach broader audiences. SXM Media will manage advertising sales through its platforms, including Stitcher and Pandora. The collaboration intends to leverage SiriusXM's extensive audience reach to amplify impactful storytelling and advocacy related to true crime narratives.
SiriusXM has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0219615 per share, marking a 50% increase over the previous quarter. The dividend is payable on November 29, 2021 to stockholders of record by November 5, 2021. This increase reflects the company’s confidence in generating significant free cash flow. Additionally, SiriusXM continues to aggressively invest in growth initiatives and has a total of $18 billion authorized for stock repurchases, aiming to maintain flexibility while returning capital to shareholders.
SiriusXM announced a special concert featuring 15-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys at the Apollo Theater on November 11, 2021, for subscribers and Pandora listeners. This intimate performance is part of the Small Stage Series and will showcase her hits and new music from her upcoming album. The concert will air on SiriusXM's Heart & Soul channel on November 16 and on Alicia Keys Radio on December 10. The performance highlights SiriusXM's commitment to exclusive live events while maintaining health protocols for safety.
SiriusXM and Pandora announce a performance by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at Tipitina's in New Orleans on November 13 as part of the Small Stage Series. The event follows the release of their new album, The Future, on November 5. Listeners can tune in to hear the concert live on The Spectrum (ch. 28) at 10 p.m. ET. Furthermore, a new six-episode show, Night Sweats Radio, featuring Rateliff, debuts on October 22. SiriusXM is also offering subscribers a chance to win tickets to the event.
Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary head coach of Duke University, will kick off the 17th season of his SiriusXM show, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K, on October 21 at 6:00 pm ET. The show will feature discussions on basketball and interviews with notable guests including Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky. Throughout the season, new episodes will air every Thursday on SiriusXM channels 84 and 371. This season marks Krzyzewski's final year as head coach, capping a stellar career with 1,170 NCAA victories and five national championships.
Pandora has launched a new station, 'The Lookout by SoundCloud', aimed at showcasing emerging hip-hop artists. This initiative is a collaboration with SoundCloud and features tracks from the SiriusXM show of the same name. Hosted by Sowmya Krishnamurthy, it will spotlight artists like Toosii and Flo Milli weekly. The program originated from SoundCloud's successful playlist and aims to help undiscovered talent gain visibility. SiriusXM, which owns Pandora, reaches approximately 150 million listeners across various platforms, solidifying its position in the audio entertainment market.
SiriusXM's subsidiary, Stitcher, has announced the addition of Rory Farrell and Jamil 'MAL' Clay to their lineup with the podcast New Rory & MAL, set to launch on November 2. Their show will join the More Sauce label, which includes other popular podcasts. Stitcher continues to hold the top rank in Triton Digital's podcast network report. New episodes will be released twice weekly across major platforms, expanding Stitcher's podcast offerings and enhancing advertising opportunities through SXM Media.
On October 14, 2021, U2 announced a significant Artist Takeover on Pandora to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their album October. This event features band members sharing personal stories and insights about their first three albums: Boy, October, and War. For the first time, users can select from three personalized modes on U2's Radio station. This collaboration highlights U2's legacy and aims to enhance listener engagement on Pandora.
SiriusXM's subsidiary, Stitcher, has acquired The Bellas Podcast, hosted by WWE Hall of Famers, Brie and Nikki Bella. The show is set to return on November 3, 2021, after a hiatus since Spring 2021. The podcast aims to provide authentic, uncensored access to the Bella Twins' lives, featuring special guests and real-life moments. The acquisition follows SiriusXM's strategy to enhance its podcast offerings, which includes recent deals with other notable podcasts. SiriusXM continues to dominate the podcast market, ranking #1 in Triton's U.S. Network Report.