Sirius XM Holdings Inc (SIRI)

[UpstateChris]

No, I have absolutely NO belief that people are staying around for Martha. It is just one of MANY examples. I am not sitting here looking at the line up, and it is one that I remembered.

The unlimited data plan on your phone is not free. Now, you may have it ANYHOW, so in your case there may not be an additional charge. Streaming music takes a good bit of data though, and anyone that does not have an unlimited data plan (which are no longer available unless you are grandfathered in or have Sprint to the best of my knowledge) will incur an expense higher than that of a subscription to Sirius. If you have purchased an unlimited data plan for this purpose specifically than you may be unaware that it costs more than the sat radio subscription - about three to four times as much. As mentioned, even when you link your phone (which, by the way, VERY VERY few people have the hardware to do with an in dash receiver and most do not want to fool with the adapter, while MANY have a Sirius or XM ready head unit)you still do not have the same quality available to you. If you are driving alone it is not the easiest thing to navigate through the various Pandora or other service settings on your phone continually at highway speeds.

Then there is another detail that you omit. 3G coverage. We can all agree that the #1 phone (based on sales) is the iPhone - locked in to AT&T. I can tell you that on my commute along the largest interstate in South Carolina there are 2 8-10 mile sections with No Service, and about 40 miles with Edge only, no 3G. Ya, stream some music over that and let me know how long that works for you.

Then the fact remains that there are MANY proprietary stations on Sirius. Some more popular than others. Howard being the most popular - I am not questioning that.

My argument is simply that there are customers that have sat radio for reasons OTHER than Howard. I had 2 of my 3 subscriptions before he ever started there...as did many, many other people. I know people in this area that have ordered it for the sports and NASCAR stations that would NEVER listen to Howard (Hey, I am in the Bible Belt, remember...).

I am not going to debate what may or may not happen if Howard stays or leaves again - but keep in mind that not every single subscriber exists because they worship the sweat off Howard's balls. (figured he would appreciate that graphic).