Santa's Not Bringing Satellite Radio

Retail sales for both XM and Sirius slumped 45% in November. XM's numbers look worse, causing cuts to year-end subscriber estimates. Sirius was also down 45% in November. The weak demand at retail for receivers, relative to last year, suggests that satellite's growth is going to come from its new-car installations. Not from after-market buys at the big-box retailers. What impact HD radio will have remains to be seen. I'd out my money on HD. The prices are falling and there is no subcription cost. HD may be what saves radio.