Satellite radio provider SiriusXM has made various free access offers available to consumers in North America, ranging from temporary streaming access to extended trials of in-car satellite radio. These promotions are designed for individuals who are not currently subscribers, allowing them to experience the service's content without financial commitment or the need for a credit card. The availability of these offers varies by platform and specific terms, with some providing immediate access and others requiring a simple registration process.
Current Free Streaming Access
SiriusXM announced a free streaming promotion available through May 15, 2025. This offer provides access to the full lineup of over 300 channels, including ad-free music, live news, faith-based content, comedy, sports talk, and politics. It also includes on-demand content. A special channel, #StayHome Radio, launched on April 1, featuring "happy, feel-good music" from artists such as Lizzo, Coldplay, Pink, and Bob Marley. Additionally, channels like The Billy Joel Channel, Dave Matthews Band Radio, and The Top 1000 Channel are part of the lineup.
To access this free streaming, individuals who are not current subscribers can download the SiriusXM app or visit SiriusXM.com/streamfree. No credit card or commitment is required to begin listening. This initiative was announced by SiriusXM CEO Jim Meyer, who stated the goal is to make the service's full streaming lineup easily accessible to everyone, particularly as many people are asked to stay at home. Howard Stern, a SiriusXM host, announced the offer on his channel.
3-Month Free Trials
Multiple sources report a 3-month free trial offer for SiriusXM. This promotion is available for the "All Access App Only Plan" or "In-Car Satellite Radio," depending on the specific offer details.
App-Only Plan
One version of the 3-month trial is specifically for the "All Access App Only Plan." This plan is valued at $29.97 for the three-month period. It provides full access to SiriusXM content via the mobile app on phones and tablets. The plan automatically renews monthly after the trial period at the current rate of $9.99 per month. Subscribers must cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date to avoid charges; there are no refunds or credits for partial terms if not canceled in time.
This plan includes access to ad-free music curated by genre and era, artist-inspired channels, and live sports access for NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, and college sports. It also includes a variety of talk radio and podcasts, such as "Gold Minds w/ Kevin Hart," "Marvel’s Pull List," "Crime Junkie," "The Howard Stern Show," "The Megyn Kelly Show," "Vital Signs," "Office Ladies," "I Am Athlete," and "Unboxing the 90s."
In-Car Satellite Radio
Another variation of the 3-month trial is for in-car satellite radio. This offer reportedly does not require a credit card. To register, users need their car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm eligibility (specifically, that the vehicle has not had a previous Sirius subscription). During the trial, users have access in their car, on their phone, and at home via the SXM App. The trial includes the complete Sirius on-demand library of music, sports, talk radio, and news.
The service automatically stops at the end of the three-month trial unless the user decides to subscribe. SiriusXM may contact users with special offers based on the registration information provided. This offer is available only on eligible, inactive factory-equipped satellite radios. Satellite and streaming lineups may vary.
Free Access Plan (Ad-Supported)
SiriusXM offers a "Free Access" plan that is available after a trial ends or for those who do not wish to subscribe to a paid plan. This plan is ad-supported, meaning it contains ads on both music and talk channels.
Eligibility and Limitations
The Free Access plan is strictly an in-vehicle subscription plan. It is only available in eligible vehicles with specific radio capabilities determined by SiriusXM. It does not include listening on the SiriusXM mobile app or other streaming devices. There are no subscription fees for this plan.
Available Channels
The Free Access plan includes dozens of channels across various categories. Examples of available channels include:
- Music: SiriusXM Hits 1, 90s on 9, Pop2K, The 10s Spot, Caliente, Classic Rewind, Alt Nation, Lithium, Octane, Hip-Hop Nation (explicit), The Heat, SiriusXM FLY (explicit), The Highway, Y2Kountry, BPM, En Vivo, Latin Vault, Holy Culture Radio, Grown Folk JAMZ, BB King's Bluesville.
- Sports: ESPN Radio, FOX Sports, NBC Sports Radio, Infinity Sports Network.
- News/Talk: FOX News Headlines 24/7, CNN, MSNBC, BBC World Service, NPR Now, PRX Remix, CBC Radio One.
- Specialty: Doctor Radio, The Catholic Channel, EWTN, HUR Voices, HBCU, BYURadio, Korea Today, SLAM Radio.
- Comedy: Comedy Central Radio (explicit), Conan O'Brien Radio.
General Offer Terms and Cancellation
Across the various trial offers, a common theme is the requirement to cancel before the trial period ends if the user does not wish to continue the service and incur charges. For the app-only 3-month trial, cancellation must occur at least 24 hours before the renewal date. For the in-car satellite radio trial, the service automatically stops at the end of the trial term unless the user subscribes. The official Customer Agreement and Privacy Policy at www.siriusxm.com provide full terms of service and cancellation instructions, which may include calling 1-866-635-2349.
Conclusion
SiriusXM provides multiple avenues for consumers to access its content for free. The primary offers currently available include a free streaming access period through mid-May 2025, a 3-month trial of the app-only plan, and a 3-month trial of in-car satellite radio. Additionally, a permanent ad-supported Free Access plan is available for eligible in-vehicle listening. These offers generally do not require a credit card, though the app-only trial requires cancellation to prevent automatic renewal into a paid subscription. Consumers should verify their vehicle's eligibility for in-car offers and review the specific terms associated with each promotion.