NPD Group's September sales data have showed a consecutive decline in the satellite radio retail channel, when compaired to the same period last year. In August unit sales were down 3% year-over-year, but in September they dropped 12% industry-wide YoY.

The Quick Glance:

• Sirius September 2006 Retail Sales:
  Down 9% YoY
• XM September 2006 Retail Sales:
  Down 15% YoY

Marketshare (via SSG):

• Sirius Sept '06 Retail Marketshare: 57%
• XM Sept '06 Retail Marketshare: 43%
  

In a recent report, Bank of America Analyst Jonathan Jacoby stated that demand from retailers appears "softer" year over year in the start of the fourth quarter, with "more demand for ipods."

This seems to support the theory that the satellite radio retail channel has reached it's peak, but in my opinion it seems unfair to compare YoY growth considering the anomoly the Stern Effect created.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio has added 441,101 new net subscribers during the third quarter of 2006 for a total of 5,119,308 subscribers. This is slightly below in line with analyst estimates of ~440,000 new net additions.

During the same period last year, SIRIUS had 2,173,920 subscribers, representing a 135% increase in total subscribers year and a23% increase over year-ago third quarter net subscriber additions.