Microsoft debuted its Zune with an FM radio that gave it favor with loyal broadcasting fans, but SIRIUS XM Radio is delivering an application for the iPhone and iPod touch that may one-up the Zune.
On Thursday, SIRIUS announced the first application to deliver its exclusive sports, entertainment, comedy and commercial-free music channels to iPhone and iPod touch users. SIRIUS is a paid subscription service offering 120 channels of radio content  .
SIRIUS programming includes Oprah Radio, MLB Home Plate, Martha Stewart, SIRIUS NFL Radio, Opie & Anthony, Blue Collar Comedy, E Street Radio, The Grateful Dead Channel, Eminem's Shade 45, Elvis Radio, Siriusly Sinatra, Metropolitan Opera Radio, and many others.
"Getting SIRIUS XM's superior programming on your iPhone or iPod touch is now convenient and easy," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. "The SIRIUS XM app allows new and existing subscribers to access great music, talk and sports almost anywhere they go. For millions of users, the best radio on radio is now the best audio content on their iPhone or iPod touch."
Where's Howard Stern?
iPhone and iPod touch users who download the SIRIUS app will get access to exclusive, Internet-only showcase channels. Those include SIRIUS XM Bootlegs, SIRIUS XM Talk Showcase, SIRIUS XM Music Showcase, and SIRIUS XM Comedy Showcase.
Exclusive programming from SIRIUS XM's satellite radio service, such as Here's Barbara with Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey's Soul Series, The Jamie Foxx Show, specials from Raw Dog Comedy, selections from Artist Confidential series, and selections from exclusive live SIRIUS XM music performances will also be available on the iPhone and iPod touch.
Beyond the Internet programming, SIRIUS subscribers can also listen to commercial-free music featuring exclusive shows from Sirius XM's satellite radio service such as Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour and Tom Petty's Buried Treasure, as well as 24/7 music channels such as Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, The Grateful Dead Channel, Eminem's Shade 45, and Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville.
What won't be available to iPhone and iPod touch users? Some select programming, including MLB Play-by-Play, NFL Play-by-Play, SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, and Howard Stern. Listeners have to access that programming through the current platforms.
Buy Your Favs
Beyond passively listening to satellite radio broadcasting, iPhone and iPod touch users can also purchase a song they hear while it's being played or tag favorite songs to purchase later from Apple's iTunes Store.
Users can save SIRIUS Internet channels for fast access through a "Favorites" function, or see the current channel plus what is playing on all other available channels via the "Lookaround" function. The SIRIUS app also lets users surf through 120 channels of programming on the fly with the flick of a finger, using the device's multi-touch user interface.
The app is free, and Apple device users that aren't SIRIUS subscribers can download the app and sample the Internet broadcasting content through a free online pass for a limited time.
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