BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhuanet)-- Satellite radio company, Sirius XM, is launching an application for the Apple iPhone Thursday that will bring the service to iPhone and iPod Touch users.

    The service will be free for those who subscribe to Sirius' Internet service, others will have to pay about 3.00 U.S. dollars per month, said a Reuters report.

    The move is seen an important way for Sirius to gain and retain subscribers, by providing easier access to its news, talk, music and sports programming through means other than its traditional satellite-based platform.

    Sirius currently has about 19 million subscribers, most of which signed on when buying cars that had the necessary equipment built in to a newly purchased vehicle.

    (Agencies)