Electronics manufacturer Kenwood USA has shipped the first commercial radio sets capable of receiving satellite broadcasts.

Nine available radio models receive standard AM and FM signals but are also capable of receiving New York-based Sirius Satellite Radio, which will offer up to 100 channels of music, news and entertainment to subscribers for $9.95 a month. The radios are priced from under $300 at retailers including Circuit City, Good Guys and Tweeter Home Entertainment Group.
Users can install and use the radios now, but they will need to plug in an additional Sirius module to receive the satellite service set to begin this summer. Sirius is one of two contenders expected to launch this year. The other is XM Satellite Radio based in Washington, D.C.
Satellite radio can be received virtually everywhere and is aimed squarely at mobile users, including truckers. Sirius successfully demonstrated its service to attendees at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas last month.
Sirius has announced a wide selection of music channels, including five devoted to country. A Sirius spokesman said the company would announce non-music programming specifically for truckers at the Mid-America Truck Show in March.