Will Digital Radio Kill Satellite Radio?

Predictions

from the battle-for-the-airwaves dept

I’ve never been a huge fan of the idea of satellite radio. I know some readers here have disagreed with me about this in the past, but I couldn’t see why there would ever be enough people willing to sign up for satellite radio to make it profitable. I know that it’s good for some people, but on the whole, I didn’t think there could be enough of those people out there. Now, with the FCC approving digital radio, some are wondering if that will kill off satellite radio before it ever really got big. Digital radio takes away one of the advantages that satellite radio claimed: clear, digital sound. However, my guess is that most people signing up for digital radio didn’t sign up for the clearer sound, but the additional programming choices – which digital radio isn’t going to offer. So, I don’t see digital radio as a huge threat to satellite radio, but I’m still not sure where satellite radio is going to find enough customers to survive.