Much like a baby, interoperable radios apparently take nine months to arrive following the consummation of a merger. Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin revealed yesterday as part of Sirius' quarterly results call that the new satellite radio receivers won't be available until 2009. According to Fortune, Karmazin revealed to analysts that new interoperable radios for the new Sirius XM won't be out until next year. However, Sirius SVP of Communications Patrick Reilly tells FMQB that while these interoperable radios won't be available for nine months, that is three months ahead of schedule, as they were originally expected to take a year to hit the market.

Additionally, similar new in-car radios could be even further away. "Car companies control the dashboard," Karmazin told analysts, and it could take up to "three years" before they catch up with the changes.

However, by the end of the year, Sirius XM will offer new a la carte radios that lets XM subscribers access some Sirius channels and vice versa. As previously reported, a "best of both" subscription plan is also on the way within three months that will cost an additional $4 for access to selected programming from the other satcaster. Discounted Family Friendly plans and tailored plans of "Mostly Music" and "News, Talk and Sports" are also coming this fall.  No new radios are needed for any of these options.

As reported yesterday, Sirius saw a 25 percent increase in revenue to $283 million in Q2, while total subscribers surpassed 8.9 million and adjusted loss fell by 70 percent.