SiriusXM. No car required. Thats the newest offer from satellite radio provider SiriusXM. Subscribers can now experience SiriusXM outside the car with the companys new Essential Streaming plan, with over 300 channels, on their phone, at home or online. Features include commercial-free music, news, talk, entertainment, sports coverage and analysis, 24/7 comedy channels, thousands of on-demand shows and concerts, the ability to skip songs and online Xtra channels. The initial promotion is $1 for three months, then $8 a month thereafter, on an auto-renewal basis.

SiriusXMs exclusive channels are curated and feature the most popular news, talk and entertainment. Here are a few highlights subscribers to Essential Streaming can expect:

• Music: Essential Streaming features channels dedicated to artists like Frank Sinatra, John Legend, Pitbull, Halsey and the Grateful Dead, classic music like The Beatles, music by decade, Pandora Now, the latest music releases, live performances and more.
• Sports, talk and analysis: Get your fill of sports, talk and analysis 24/7 including shows hosted by Chris Mad Dog Russo, Jim Rome and Tiki Barber; MLB Network Radio; ESPN Radio; and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
• News, talk and entertainment: Listen to top news channels including FOX, CNN and MSNBC as well as talk shows hosted by Andy Cohen and Jenny McCarthy.
• Comedy: Lighten your day with laughter from channels like Kevin Harts Laugh Out Loud Radio, Raw Dog Comedy, Laugh USA and Netflix is a Joke.
• Kids programming: For family-friendly entertainment, subscribers can listen to KIDZ BOP Radio, Radio Disney or Kids Place Live.

Essential Streaming is available on smartphones, smart speakers, home audio, smart TVs, casting devices (e.g, Roku), gaming systems and streaming devices.

Howard Stern, the NBA, NHL and NCAA arent available with Essential Streaming, but subscribers can upgrade to Premium Streaming for additional music, talk and entertainment. Premium Streaming is available for $0.99 for the first three months and $15.99 a month thereafter on an auto-renewal basic. Premium Streaming also features over 300 channels, including Howard Stern radio and video, thousands of on-demand shows and concerts, SiriusXM video and 100+ Xtra channels with music from a variety of genres. Listeners can’t create playlists, but they can skip songs they don’t want to hear.

Of course, for subscribers who want SiriusXM in their cars, there are three popular packages including XM Select for $15.99 a month (140+ channels); XM All Access for $20.99 a month (150+ channels and streaming and SiriusXM video); and XM Mostly Music for $10.99 a month (80+ channels). The company also offers specialty packages including a family-friendly package, a la carte options, and news, sports and talk raio. View all the SiriusXM packages and current promotions and pricing on SiriusXM.com.

Insider Take:

SiriusXMs list of packages reminds me of the menu at The Cheesecake Factory. There are too many options from which to choose. Give me a couple of options, and it is easy to make the right selection for my mood and budget. With all the SiriusXM package options, a new subscriber would almost need to know in advance what channels it would listen to and where theyd be listening before they could make an informed decision. The packages available – and the comparison charts of what channels belong to which packages – are a bit overwhelming.

With Essential Streaming, SiriusXM has offered an affordable, attractive package that is priced above Pandora but below Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. If you want more than music, this might be a good option. It is also attractive for those who dont have a SiriusXM-enabled vehicle, or who want to listen to satellite radio at home or on the go. We like the creativity and the company really has nothing at risk. This is simply a new way of packaging what SiriusXM is already offering.