Sirius XM Holdings Stock Price, News & Analysis

SiriusXM has announced an expansion of its long-term agreement with Kia Motors America, extending their relationship through 2025. Starting with model year 2022 vehicles, SiriusXM is set to become a standard feature across nearly all Kia models sold in the U.S. Customers purchasing or leasing these vehicles will receive a three-month subscription to SiriusXM All Access, featuring comprehensive content access. This partnership aims to enhance the driving experience for Kia customers and reflects the growing popularity of SiriusXM's audio entertainment offerings.

SiriusXM announced its extensive holiday music lineup, featuring 17 ad-free channels, including the new Jolly Christmas channel. Starting November 5, 2020, subscribers will enjoy traditional holiday songs and modern hits across genres such as pop, country, and classical. Notable channels include Holly and Holiday Traditions. This lineup caters to diverse listeners with genres from classic carols to seasonal soul music, available on the SiriusXM app and various connected devices. Subscribers can tune in until January 7, 2021.

On October 22, 2020, Stitcher launched a public beta of its redesigned mobile apps and web platform. This update enhances user experience with a customizable interface, offering features such as download management, episode filtering, and enhanced speed controls. Users can easily manage shows and discover new content through curated recommendations. The app also integrates with Alexa and Sonos for seamless listening experiences. The redesign aims to cater to both seasoned and new podcast listeners, reflecting Stitcher’s commitment to accessibility and user personalization.

SiriusXM reported third quarter 2020 results with revenue of $2.025 billion, up 1% year-over-year, and a net income increase of 11% to $272 million. Adjusted EBITDA also rose 1% to $661 million. The company anticipates robust performance with increased full-year guidance for self-pay net subscribers and overall revenue. SiriusXM's new car penetration rate improved to 78%, while advertising revenue at Pandora declined 3%. The firm executed $486 million in stock repurchases, alongside a dividend increase of 10%.

Sirius XM Holdings (NASDAQ: SIRI) has completed the acquisition of Stitcher, a significant player in podcasting, enhancing its audio entertainment platform. With this acquisition, SiriusXM aims to dominate the fast-growing podcasting sector by integrating Stitcher's programming and ad networks with its existing services. The move is expected to create a comprehensive audio ecosystem, reaching over 150 million listeners and further expanding SiriusXM's advertising capabilities. This acquisition positions the company for growth in digital audio and podcasting.

SiriusXM has announced that its audio entertainment service will be standard in all BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. starting with the 2021 model year. BMW owners will receive a 12-month subscription to the SiriusXM All Access package. This partnership extends through 2026 and also includes standard features in Rolls Royce models and BMW motorcycles. New BMW models feature SiriusXM with 360L, enhancing in-vehicle entertainment by combining satellite and streaming services. This deal represents a strategic growth opportunity for SiriusXM.

SiriusXM and Pandora are launching exclusive Halloween-themed programming starting October 15, 2020, to help families celebrate during the pandemic. Highlights include SiriusXM's Scream Radio with haunted tunes, scary stories, and a top 50 Halloween song countdown, running until October 31. Pandora introduces new Halloween stations and playlists, featuring a hosted 'slaylist' from music trio LVCRFT. Additional virtual specials include Jenny McCarthy's Halloween Hollywood Séance and a discussion on horror films by Jim Norton. SiriusXM offers a variety of ways to listen, including mobile apps and connected devices.

Pandora has launched the Endless Playlist, featuring artists like Alicia Keys and Billie Eilish. This unique playlist allows artists to share their favorite tracks along with personal messages, fostering a collaborative music experience. It will be updated continuously, creating a dynamic musical journey. Listeners can access the playlist via Pandora Premium or unlock it through ads on Pandora Plus. As part of SiriusXM, Pandora aims to enhance engagement between artists and fans.