The real reason Sirius/XM is terrible, and the reason they bought out XM while being essentially bankrupt, is because their real purpose has never been "radio". The idea of satellite radio was only a cover for their real purpose which was getting a satellite receiver into every car produced for the implementation of their real purpose as a company, Satellite-driven vehicles.

Some 25 years ago the idea of turning over control of your vehicle to some computer was unthinkable for most people. The idea of putting a satellite beacon in your car for this purpose would have been fiercely resisted by the majority of the public. Telling the typical American Joe with his container of coffee that we are putting a device in your car that will essentially take your control of the vehicle you bought and paid for away from you would have been roundly rejected as an incredible invasion of privacy and curtailing of personal liberty; an idea that is as old as the idea of America and its love affair with cars since Henry Ford.

Now, as the idea has been slowly introduced over the years, the idea of self-driving cars has taken hold as being inevitable, and to some preferable. At the time satellite "radio" was introduced, telling the public that these satellites receiver/transmitters are just for your personal entertainment and nothing more, was the easy way to sell it to the public without any real resistance. This is why Sirius had to buy out XM because IMHO XM intent was probably only to do radio, hence why they hired mostly ex-radio executives and talent as opposed to Sirius whose management never seemed to know anything about radio proper. There could be no competition for this endeavor.

Mark my words, within the next decade Sirius/XM will either merge or be bought out by a company established to carry out the self-driving vehicle, or will be re-branded as bringing you not only the "best entertainment on radio", but also providing you with in-car Wi-Fi with satellite-driving capabilities.

There is your conspiracy theory for today.

Peckas. Rich Vos will be playing as so and so. Etc.