Crain's New York hints that maybe Sirius Satellite Radio has been a little aggressive with its willingness to pay top dollar for premium content. Expensive content deals with Howard Stern, Martha Stewart, NASCAR and others have "raised concerns over whether the No. 2 satellite radio service can keep its promise to have positive cash flow by 2007. Any stumbles could mean trouble for its stock price, a possible return trip to the capital markets to raise cash and a boost for rival, XM Satellite Radio."

The deal with Howard Stern is most troubling, says Crain's. In order to earn back the $500 million scheduled to be paid out over the next five years, Sirius will have to crank out new subscriptions at a healthy pace. Sirius doesn't see the deal as an obstacle, though: "The company maintains that its monthly rate of $12.95 means it must attract just 1 million of Mr. Stern's estimated 12 million fans for the deal to start paying off."