Even though I'm a terrestrial broadcaster, I had XM when it first was available in the "northern" part of the USA.
As I recall, they didn't activate the northern footprint til after the southern one. I had a 60-mile drive to work one way for my morning show, through 3 counties and it was GREAT. Back then they were allowed to uplink some "locals" like WSM, Nashville and it was enjoyable. After getting my own station I didn't need it anymore, but....I've actually had people find our stations and dump XM due to subs running out and finding variety locally. The idea of XM: Wonderful. The execution lately: Corporate at best, not as listener oriented. (just like the biggies that are running terrestrial radio.) The Future: (I hope) would be allowing terrestrials to uplink and be heard nationwide like video is allowed from local markets on Dish and Direct, only without market-specific limitations. Granted the application process and selection by the carrier would be difficult, but...given the money to do it, I'd love the opportunity to compete. We may be small market, but...we're interesting. I'm dreaming, I know, and God knows costs would be high. Everything is when its implementation is new.