Satellie radio provider Sirius sells a portable music player, called the S50, which can capture and store up to 50 hours of content or a mix of SIRIUS programming with MP3/WMA files. The capabilities of the device have reportedly been somewhat restrained by RIAA pressure.


However, it does pose the interesting question of what’s different between a time shifted satcast and a podcast. According to today’s Wall Street Journal, these new types of devices are raising conflict between the music industry and satallite radio. Mitch Brainwol, chief executive of the RIAA, is reported to have stated “The presumption you can turn radio into a Napster-To-Go subscription service under the old terms is not accurate.” The satellite guys are reportedly countering with the argument that a 1992 federal law permits consumers to make personal recording from the radio and that the device is like a Tivo.

Negotiations to renew satellite radio licences will start up next year. The outcomes are worth watching closly to see if anything breaks open for podcasters.