Is satellite radio the future or just a stepping-stone to something different?
Satellite radio is popular because it airs multiple channels commercial free and is often standard in many new car purchases (with a temporary paid subscription).
HD radio is another method used by terrestrial radio stations to improve their listenership, but very few listeners are spending the money to purchase an HD receiver, which remains largely unavailable.
Let me see if this makes sense. Satellite radio has been problematic because there are still enough people who enjoy FREE radio. Many can tolerate the commercial content in order to hear music they like at no cost.
Many on air hosts who have had satellite radio shows have ultimately sought release from their contract because the total number of listeners remains much smaller than a traditional terrestrial radio network.
Audio streaming as pertains to Internet broadcasting may be the future especially in urban areas where wi-fi zones are prominent.
There are those that argue the point, but one has to wonder if a mechanism that would allow individuals to receive audio streaming in their automobiles...