[dmwesq]

I currently own 2 Subaru's - a 2016 Legacy and a 2017 Outback. Both came with Sirius XM trial subscriptions, and after the trial ended we signed up for Sirius subscriptions, and combined our plan into a family Select plan. We noticed however that we were not getting certain channels on the Outback even though both cars supposedly had the same Sirius plan. Specifically we noticed that we were not getting the 2 Howard Stern channels. When I contacted Sirius today they told me they had three different platforms (not talking about the different plans they offer - that is a separate issue). They told me the platforms differ contractually in what is offered, and that is dependent on the radio installed in the car. So what they are saying is the radio in the Legacy is on the Sirius/XM platform, but the radio in the Outback is on the XM platform, which Sirius bought out, but it comes with different legal options that differ from the Sirius/XM platform. They also have a Sirius platform as well.

This made absolutely no sense but I was wondering if anyone else had heard or has knowledge that the radios put into Subaru's, although they may look alike are actually set up for different Sirius platforms.

 

[grumpy66]

We have a 2015 Legacy and 2018 Outback that get the same channels. If your model has a different "head unit", it may be limited. For example, my previous vehicle ('14 Ford Escape) could not get Channels 300 and higher (e.g. Road Trip, Covers, etc.), but both of our Subaru vehicles do get it.

Sirius XM should be able to verify that based on the radio ID.

Good luck!

 

[DavidPeab]

I wonder if some type of parental control was activated. Howard Stern, really? Go to channel 18 and listen to the Beatles instead. I have XM in all three of my vehicles and haven't noticed any differences.