Loaded With Personalities, Now Satellite Radio May Try A Merger

(From The New York Times -- By Eric A. Taub)

Last year's debut of HOWARD STERN's radio show on SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO put the technology on the map, raising the public's awareness of satellite radio and helping to boost significantly subscriber totals for Sirius and its larger rival, XM SATELLITE RADIO.

Today, thanks in part to the outsize radio personality,
THE STERN EFFECT has increased Sirius's base to about six million subscribers, up 80 percent from one year ago.

XM has increased its numbers by more than 30 percent, ending 2006 with 7.7 to 7.9 million customers.

"There is a tendency to view satellite radio as if the glass is half empty, and that it is a failure or disappointment," said CRAIG MOFFETT, senior cable analyst for SANFORD C. BERNSTEIN.

"In fact, nothing could be further from the truth," he said.

"Satellite radio is growing faster than any consumer product except for the IPOD."

Loaded With Personalities, Now Satellite Radio May Try A Merger

Tom Blais, thanks for the post.