Photo Credit: Sirius XM
Sirius XM has joined a bevy of other music streaming services offering cheaper prices to students.
The satellite radio provider has introduced a new ‘Student Premier’ subscription for its services, with the aim of keeping students subscribed after they leave the nest. The student plan allows access to 200 talk & music channels for a price tag of $4/month.
You’ll need to verify you’re a student to receive the discounted rate — though rest assured, some will attempt to game the system.
Sirius XM is trying to set itself apart in a sea of student plans. Spotify’s student plan is the most generous, including access to Hulu and Showtime for $5 a month. That plan is being abused to high heaven though, so how long it will last is anyone’s guess.
Sirius’ offer also doesn’t include any in-car listening, though you do get access to those Pandora-powered playlists. You can thumbs up or down songs to help tailor these playlists to your tastes. Subscribers can also skip songs or create their own personal channels.
Smartly, subscribers to the Student Premier Package also get access to a variety of sports channels, including a number of college-focused stations.
- ESPNU Radio
- SEC Radio
- Big Ten radio
- Big 12 Radio
- Pac-12 Radio
- ACC Radio
- Barstool Radio
- Fantasy Sports Radio
- NBA Radio
- NHL Radio
Sirius XM has had to adapt to the digital streaming age, and finally move beyond car-based satellite.
Last year Sirius bought Pandora in a deal worth $3.5 billion, which closed in February. Earlier in April, Sirius XM unveiled its first streaming service plan for the car-less among us.
Unsurprisingly, the rise of smart speakers has fueled a rise in demand for in-home listening options. Accordingly, Sirius XM’s new $8/monthly streaming plan is aimed at those who rely on smart speakers for their music. It is supported on a wide variety of devices including Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and various smart TVs.
Sirius XM VP Matt Epstein says the latest student plan is aimed at college kids who grew up with satellite radio.
“Our Student Premier Package enables students to have their own subscription and continue to enjoy the SiriusXM programming they love in their dorm room, at home or on the go.”