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Listeners aren't the only ones signing on to satellite radio subscription services, which offer coast-to-coast broadcasts of dozens of niche stations. Shock jock Howard Stern announced last month that when his Infinity Broadcasting contract expires in 2006, he's taking his popular syndicated morning show to Sirius Satellite Radio.

Since XM Satellite Radio debuted three years ago, more than 2.5 million listeners have signed up. Sirius hit the airwaves in 2002, and now has 700,000 subscribers. Each company predicts that listener numbers will continue to rise.

"This is an exciting time for satellite radio," XM spokesman David Butler says.

You pay for no commercials

Satellite radio, which costs about $10 to $13 a month, advertises several advantages over terrestrial radio. Much of the programming is commercial free; each provider pumps out more than 100 channels of music, news, sports, talk and entertainment. Also, broadcasts are not subject to Federal Communications Commission regulations, a big plus for raunchy radio hosts such as Stern.

Butler and Ron Rodrigues, spokesman for Sirius, both say that satellite radio is not meant to replace traditional stations, but rather to complement them.

"We're able to take something that radio does a little bit or not at all, and make a full-time channel out of it," Rodrigues says.

Grady Kirkpatrick, program manager at WNKU (89.7 FM), says he welcomes the competition because it means more variety for radio audiences. The NPR-affiliate station, which broadcasts from the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, has 45,000 to 50,000 listeners, with 5,000 to 10,000 more who tune in online, he says.

WNKU offers a diverse music selection with an emphasis on hometown and regional artists, information about cultural events in the area and opportunities to make requests and provide feedback. Those local ties are something the nationwide satellite radio networks don't have, Kirkpatrick says.

"We feel really good about our ability to connect with what's happening around town beyond the news and weather and traffic," he says.

Local satellite radio subscribers say they aren't planning to trade AM and FM for XM and Sirius. When Felicia Burger of Monfort Heights is in the car, she and her family often tune in to the numerous sports and music channels on her new XM stereo.

But Burger, 44, still flips to her favorite local stations to hear reports she doesn't have time to catch anywhere else.

"Satellite radio is just continuous music," she says. "Sometimes I find it informative to have the news, weather and traffic interrupting some of the songs, because I don't hear it otherwise."

Stars make the switch

Here's a look at some of the stars of terrestrial radio who are going satellite:

Howard Stern

The country's most popular shock jock is scheduled to trade his syndicated Infinity Broadcasting morning show for a Sirius slot in 2006.

Bob Edwards

The former National Public Radio morning host made the jump to XM in October, broadcasting a weekday morning show that features news, talk and interviews.

Opie & Anthony

This irreverent New York team, fired from its Infinity Broadcasting morning show a few years ago after a stunt ignited a scandal, resurfaced on XM in October.

Other stars on Sirius: Eminem, who helped create Shade 45, a new hip-hop station; pro skateboarder Bam Margera and Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong, who will both launch music shows on Sirius' Faction later this year.

XM's stars include Tom Petty and Snoop Dogg, who will begin hosting music shows later this year. Also, Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo and Chuck D, who co-host the progressive politics station XM America Left.

How to plug in to satellite

When it comes to providers, you have two choices: Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio. Both companies sell the equipment you'll need: a receiver and antenna. You can also buy radio units at local electronics stores. Prices for a start-up package begin at about $150.

Units are available for automobile and home use, and some portable models can be transferred between the two. XM will make the first personal portable player available in early December.

Many new vehicles, including models made by DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Honda, Ford and General Motors, offer satellite radios as standard or optional equipment. Some Hertz and Avis rental cars also offer the services.

Both providers offer a variety of music, news, talk, sports and weather stations.

XM Satellite Radio

Launched: 2001

Users: More than 2.5 million

Total stations: 137

Music stations: 68, including four Latin stations, three Christian stations and two stations for kids

Programming highlights: Opie & Anthony; Bob Edwards; 2 NASCAR stations; college sports; and, beginning next year, Major League Baseball.

Cost: $9.99 a month; Playboy Radio costs an additional $2.99 a month

Getting it: Call (800) 967-2346 or go to www.xmradio.com

Sirius Satellite Radio

Launched: 2002

Users: 700,000

Total stations: 121

Music stations: 65, including six electronic/dance stations, four hip-hop stations and one all-Elvis station.

Programming highlights: NFL and college football games; two National Public Radio channels; reports from Rolling Stone; and a show hosted by tennis star John McEnroe

Cost: $12.95 a month

Getting it: Call (888) 539-7474 or go to www.sirius.com

E-mail chanifin@enquirer.com