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It's Like The Trail Mix of Tech News

SATELLITE OF LOVE SONGS: XM Satellite Radio Inc. is $235 million closer to launching its national satellite radio service. The alternative radio band announced commitments for additional funding, including a $50 million investment from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Honda joins the ranks of General Motors, DIRECTV Enterprises, Clear Channel Communications and Motient Corporation as investors. XM opened the doors to its new 150,000-sq. ft. headquarters in Washington, D.C. Monday (7/10). The building houses the largest digital radio broadcast facility in the U.S., a 2,300 square foot recording studio, a bowling alley, a tiki bar, a midget toss ring, and U.F.O. landing pads. "That's in case our satellites make serious contact," said President/CEO Hugh Panero. XM plans to launch the first of its satellites in mid-November. Meanwhile, rival Sirius Satellite Radio has upped its financing to $1.45 billion, and has backing from DaimerChrysler and Ford Motor Co. (hitsdailydouble.com 6/6). In addition to being an alternative to AM and FM, Sirius will also rotate Ford celebrity spokesperson Lindsay Wagner's tires.

FARM COLLEGE: CTN Media Group has teamed with Jimmy and Doug's Farmclub.com. Farmclub will provide CTN's broadcast division, College Television Network, with weekly programming and supply CTN's Web site, Wetair.com, with artist segments and interviews. The deal is designed to help both parties reach the ever-important 18-24 demographic. According to CTN Chairman and CEO Jason Elkin, "The joining of College Television Network, Farmclub.com and their Internet properties creates powerful content. We'll also cut costs by getting two-for-one pizzas." Programs, including "Trout Fishing With Ali Landry" and Matt Pinfield's alternative to Food Network's "Iron Chef"—"Teflon Confectioner"—will begin airing this summer.

MOBILE SOUNDS: What could be more annoying than listening to a stranger gab on a cell phone? Listening to him grooving to the DeFranco Family on a cell phone. HitHive, Inc. has unveiled its WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) service for music. The Mobile Music service allows wireless service providers to deliver music services to their customers, who will be able to listen to tunes, share files and purchase music from wireless phones or personal data assistants. The Mobile Music service is available to businesses now and should be available to consumers later this year. Tony DeFranco is also available for weddings, funerals and bat mitzvahs.

THE JOY OF DOWNLOADS: Reciprocal, Inc. has signed on for Pepsi's online promotional program. Launching next month, PepsiStuff.com will use Reciprocal's DRM services to offer winners digital music downloads. It's the first time downloads have been offered as promotional prizes. The under-the-cap promotion will kick off in August with a grand prize of MP3's of the complete collection of Pepsi jingles as sung by curly-haired moppet Hallie Kate Eisenberg.

HIGH ON THE HOG:There's more news from the digital-fast food convergence frontier. The 99-cent menu at Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers has been the saving grace to many a struggling musician. Now, up-and-comers have the chance to stake a claim to fame with a "hot and juicy" ode to burgers. Wendy's, RollingStone.com, and TNN/CMT cable television are looking for hamburger hymns in "Wendy's Search for Sizzlin' Sounds." The grand-prize winnergets a recording session in Nashville, TN., as well as the chance to binge on whiskey and heroin, get tattooed and party with supermodelsalongside Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, who is himself hot and juicy.

NEAR TRUTHS:
SPRING BLOOMS
Here come the big guns. (3/29a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/29a)
CITY OF HOPE TAPS MARCIANO FOR TOP HONOR
This year's philanthropic model (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/27a)
UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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