Ford to offer SiriusXM app for in-vehicle radio

Ford Motor Co. is the first automaker to offer in-vehicle access to the SiriusXM Internet Radio App, the companies announced today.

With the Internet Radio App, drivers of Sync AppLink-equipped vehicles will have access to MySXM and SiriusXM On Demand alongside satellite radio. Drivers can control the Internet Radio App through voice commands, the steering wheel or radio controls.

MySXM allows users to personalize many Sirius commercial-free music channels and select comedy programming, according to Sirius. With the On Demand feature, the company said users can summon more than 300 episodes from the Sirius show catalog.

The move comes at a time when many consumers -- looking for more integration between their smartphones and cars -- expect vehicles to complement their digital lifestyles. In the United States, there are 68 million Android users and 49 million iPhone owners.

More than 1 million Ford vehicles with SYNC AppLink can use the application. To take advantage of the new feature, Internet Radio subscribers download the latest version of the application for their iPhone and Android smartphones.

This integration offers Ford consumers more personalization options with their vehicle entertainment, said Craig Daitch, Ford's technology, research and innovation spokesman.

"It's an opportunity for us to provide even more choices to our customers in a way that still allows for our customers to keep their hands on the wheels at all times," Daitch said in an interview. "That's really the beauty of what see with AppLink."

In a new twist, those who purchase new Ford vehicles featuring satellite radio will get six-month trials of the satellite offerings and Internet Radio. Before the announcement, Ford customers received only satellite radio trials.

SiriusXM CEO Jim Meyer said in a statement:

"SiriusXM Internet Radio's MySXM and On Demand features are entering the car alongside satellite radio for the first time, enhancing the SiriusXM listening experience by giving Ford customers using SYNC AppLink the ability to hear personalized music channels and programming when they want it, while continuing to enjoy the seamless nationwide coverage provided by live satellite radio."

Ford to be the first automaker to launch MySXM and SiriusXM On Demand alongside satellite radio in vehicles

For the first time ever, subscribers will be able to control SiriusXM Internet Radio programming and listen to SiriusXM's personalized commercial-free music channels using their vehicle's in-dash radio

Customers purchasing a new Ford vehicle will receive a six-month All Access subscription for SiriusXM's premium programming via satellite and access anywhere to SiriusXM Internet Radio

NEW YORK, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and Ford Motor Company today announced that Ford will be the first automaker to give its customers in-vehicle access to the SiriusXM Internet Radio App in Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC® AppLink®. Ford drivers will be the first to enjoy access to the MySXM and SiriusXM On Demand features of SiriusXM Internet Radio alongside satellite radio all by using voice commands, steering wheel or radio controls.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101014/NY82093LOGO )

The SiriusXM Internet Radio App through SYNC AppLink gives subscribers easy in-vehicle access to MySXM, the innovative new feature that empowers listeners with the ability to personalize many SiriusXM commercial-free music and select comedy channels for a more personal listening experience. Also the SiriusXM Internet Radio App will give subscribers access to SiriusXM On Demand, allowing listeners to choose their favorite episodes from a catalog of more than 300 shows and over 3,000 hours of content to listen in their vehicles, whenever they want.

"SiriusXM Internet Radio's MySXM and On Demand features are entering the car alongside satellite radio for the first time, enhancing the SiriusXM listening experience by giving Ford customers using SYNC AppLink the ability to hear personalized music channels and programming when they want it, while continuing to enjoy the seamless nationwide coverage provided by live satellite radio," said Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, SiriusXM. "We are excited that Ford sees the advantage of being the first automaker to give its customers easy, safe access to our unparalleled audio entertainment through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and satellite radio in the connected car."

"Ford's long relationship with SiriusXM demonstrates our commitment to offering the best in-vehicle audio experience, including new technologies for our customers," said Ford Chief Technical Officer, Paul Mascarenas. "This is an exciting opportunity to let Ford customers experience the quality and variety of SiriusXM's satellite and internet radio offerings side by side, and gives drivers another way to personalize their audio entertainment and driving experience to their tastes."

The SiriusXM Internet Radio App can be used in more than one million Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC AppLink, a feature that provides drivers with control of their favorite mobile applications with voice commands, steering wheel or radio controls while they keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Once SiriusXM Internet Radio subscribers download the latest version of the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for their compatible iPhone or Android smartphone, they can connect to SYNC AppLink for safer in-vehicle control of MySXM and On Demand.

Customers purchasing any new Ford vehicle equipped with satellite radio will receive a six-month subscription to SiriusXM's All Access Package with access to SiriusXM's premium programming lineup via satellite, including every NFL game, Howard Stern, every NASCAR® race, Oprah Radio® and MLB Network Radio™, and more, plus access to SiriusXM Internet Radio on smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.com.

For more information on SiriusXM, please visit www.siriusxm.com.