Satellite Radio Tidal Wave - Stern to Sirius

Long-time readers are aware that I am an XM Radio subscriber and a great fan of this service. Satellite radio is a great tool for bringing high-quality music and talk to users. It is especially good for Christian Music in our area, as there as no good stations in our part of CT, despite the fact that we get the overflow of AM and FM from New York City. Well, the big news for Satellite Radio in general, and Sirius (the other white meat) in particular is that Howard Stern has signed an exclusive deal to broadcast on only satelite radio starting in 2006. This means any Stern-ites (or whatever you call the folks who like his profane show) have to get Sirius radios to listen starting in a little over 1 year.

Is this the first big change presaging the rise of a new broadcast format? Or is it a sign that Stern is on the way out? I am hoping it is the former, but only if this means Sirius will be the MTV of Satellite Radio, so XM can be the family-friendly alernative.