Satellite Radio in April Offers Jazz, Hockey, and the Pope

As XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio desperately await final approval of a proposed merger, programming continues in separate mode.

XM is teaming up with EWTN Global Catholic Network to start the "Papal U.S. Visit '08" channel. Talk about niche programming! The channel will be live for 6 days during the Pope's U.S. visit April 15 - 20. XM Channel 120 will host the programming.

XM is touting it's hockey coverage. The service says it will air every game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning April 9. XM also airs all regular season NHL games and features 24-hour-a-day hockey talk on XM Channel 204.

One more note for BlackBerry users: XM can now stream 20 channels of music and comedy to your phone. XM has joined with QuickPlay's OpenVideo, a media management platform, to make XM Radio Mobile available on select BlackBerry smartphones. The cost is $7.99 per month.

SIRIUS has a special focus on jazz during April in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month. Specials are planned on both Jazz Café, Channel 71 and Pure Jazz, Channel 72

More: Step by Step Comparison of XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio Features