CD RADIO INC
S-3/A, 1997-11-21
RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS
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<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 21, 1997
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-34769
________________________________________________________________________________
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                               AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
                            ------------------------
 
                                 CD RADIO INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
                              DELAWARE                                                          52-1700207
                   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                                   (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
</TABLE>
 
                      SIXTH FLOOR, 1001 22ND STREET, N.W.
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
                                  202-296-6192
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                                DAVID MARGOLESE
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                 CD RADIO INC.
                      SIXTH FLOOR, 1001 22ND STREET, N.W.
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
                                  202-296-6192
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
                         LEONARD V. QUIGLEY                                                 DAVID J. BEVERIDGE
                         MITCHELL S. FISHMAN                                                SHEARMAN & STERLING
              PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON                                     599 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                     1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS                                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                    NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-6064                                              212-848-4000
                            212-373-3000
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after
this Registration Statement becomes effective.
     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
     If the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    PROPOSED           PROPOSED
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF          MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM
          SECURITIES             OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
       TO BE REGISTERED           PER UNIT(1)      OFFERING PRICE(1)    REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                              <C>               <C>                  <C>
Units consisting of Senior
  Discount Notes and
  Warrants....................         N/A           $ 150,000,000          $ 45,455(2)
Senior Discount Notes.........         N/A                     N/A                  (3)
Warrants to purchase Senior
  Discount Notes..............         N/A                     N/A                  (3)
Senior Discount Notes(4)......         N/A                     N/A                  (3)
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) Estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to
    Rule 475(o) under the Securities Act of 1993.
(2) This amount was paid in connection with the initial filing of the
    Registration Statement on September 2, 1997.
(3) As such securities are to be provided without additional cost to the
    purchasers, no registration fee is required with respect thereto.
   
(4) Senior Discount Notes to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants.
    
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION 
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF 
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME 
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
________________________________________________________________________________




<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
PROSPECTUS
    
 
   
                                  $258,200,000

                                     [LOGO]
 
                           12,910 UNITS CONSISTING OF
                   15% SENIOR SECURED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
       AND WARRANTS TO ACQUIRE 15% SENIOR SECURED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
    
   
 
                            ------------------------
 
     CD Radio Inc. (the 'Company') is offering (the 'Units Offering') 12,910
units (collectively, the 'Units'), each consisting of $20,000 principal amount
at maturity of 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 (the 'Notes') of the
Company and one warrant (each, a 'Warrant'), each Warrant entitling the holder
thereof to acquire $3,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes. The Notes and
the Warrants will not be separately transferable until the earliest of: (i) the
occurrence of an Exercise Event (as defined herein), (ii) the occurrence of an
Event of Default (as defined herein), (iii) such earlier date as determined by
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ('Merrill Lynch') in its sole
discretion. The Notes are being issued with original issue discount.
    
 
                                                  (Cover continued on next page)
 
     SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 16 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED
    UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
                         THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PRINCIPAL
                                                       AMOUNT OF
                                                       NOTES AT       PRICE TO     UNDERWRITING     PROCEEDS TO
                                                       MATURITY       PUBLIC(1)     DISCOUNT(2)    COMPANY(1)(3)
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
Per Unit...........................................      100%          48.422%        1.695%          46.727%
Total(3)...........................................  $258,200,000   $125,025,604    $4,375,896      $120,649,708
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Plus accrued original issue discount, if any, on the Notes from the date of
    issuance.
    
 
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See 'Underwriting.'
 
   
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated to be $350,000.
    
 
   
                            ------------------------
     The Units are being offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of
certain legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters and certain other
conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the Units will be made in New York, New York on or about November
26, 1997.
    
 
   
                            ------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
                                                         LIBRA INVESTMENTS, INC.
                            ------------------------
               The date of this Prospectus is November 21, 1997.
    




<PAGE>

<PAGE>




Inside front cover

Photograph of freeway traffic and CD Radio logo

Caption:   CD Radio
           50 Channels of Programming
           National Satellite Coverage
           Commercial-Free Music
           CD Quality Sound


Photographs of two satellites, the miniature satellite dish antenna and 
the radio card.

Caption:   National satellite coverage
           Local contracted to build
           Arianespace launch service provider
           Silver-dollar sized satellite dish
           Adhesive rear window mount
           Wireless transmission to radio card
           Plug and play radio card
           Inserts into existing cassette slot
           Activation 888-CD-RADIO

Programming Formats
Symphonic                 Classic Rock               Soft Rock
Chamber Music             50's Oldies                Singers & Songs
Opera                     60's Oldies                Beautiful Instrumentals
Today's Country           Folk Rock                  Album Rock
Traditional Country       Latin Ballads              Alternative Rock
Contemporary Jazz         Latin Rhythms              New Age
Classic Jazz              Reggae                     Broadway's Best
Blues                     Rap                        Gospel
Big Band/Swing            Dance                      Children's Entertainment
Top of the Charts         Urban Contemporary         World Beat



<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(Cover continued from previous page)
 
   
     The initial issue amount of each Note will be $484.22 per $1,000 principal
amount at maturity, representing a yield to maturity of 15% (computed on a
semi-annual bond equivalent basis) calculated from November 26, 1997. Based on
the issue price of the Units and assuming the Warrants are exercised, the yield
to maturity on the Notes, determined by semiannual compounding of interest, is
16.74%. See 'Description of the Units' and 'Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations'. Cash interest will not accrue on the Notes prior to December 1,
2002, from which time cash interest will accrue on the Notes at a rate of 15%
per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on each June 1 and
December 1, commencing June 1, 2003. The Notes will mature on December 1, 2007.
The Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part,
at any time on or after December 1, 2002 at the redemption prices set forth
herein, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Upon
the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein), each holder of Notes
may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of such holder's Notes at a
purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the Accreted Value thereof, together
with accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase.
    
 
   
     The Notes will be senior secured obligations of the Company, secured by a
pledge of the stock of Satellite CD Radio Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company (the 'Pledged Stock'), and will rank pari passu in right of payment with
all existing and future unsubordinated obligations of the Company, and senior in
right of payment to all existing and future obligations of the Company expressly
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. Satellite CD Radio, Inc. conducts
no business activities and its only asset is an FCC License (as defined herein).
As of September 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Units
Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, indebtedness of the
Company would have been approximately $125 million (plus approximately $19
million of indebtedness to be issued on exercise of the Warrants), all of which
would have been secured indebtedness. In the future the Company and its
subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness secured
on a pari passu basis with the holders of Notes with respect to the Pledged
Stock.
    
 
   
     The Units Offering is one component of a financing transaction which
includes an offer to exchange (the 'Exchange Offer') shares of the Company's
10 1/2% Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the 'Series C Preferred Stock')
for shares of the Company's outstanding 5% Delayed Convertible Preferred Stock
(the '5% Preferred Stock') and underwritten public offerings of the Company's
Common Stock (the 'Stock Offerings' and together with the Units Offering, the
'Offerings'). Separate registration statements have been filed for each of the
Exchange Offer and the Stock Offerings, and such offers have been made by
separate prospectuses. On November 20, 1997, the Exchange Offer was consummated
and shares of Series C Preferred Stock were exchanged for all of the outstanding
5% Preferred Stock. The consummation of the Units Offering is not conditioned
upon the consummation of the Stock Offerings but is conditioned upon the
consummation of the Exchange Offer.
    
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE UNITS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN
TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE
UNITS. SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNITS
OFFERING, MAY BID FOR AND PURCHASE UNITS IN THE OPEN MARKET AND MAY IMPOSE
PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES SEE 'UNDERWRITING.'
   
    
 
                                       ii
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                         ILLUSTRATIVE CHANNEL LISTINGS
 
     The following channel list (which employs terminology common to the music
industry) has been prepared by the Company to illustrate the manner in which the
Company's music programming might be marketed. The Company intends to vary
channel formats from time to time to reflect the results of its market research
and subscriber tastes.

<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                          
1.         Symphonic                                                    
           Presenting the full range of the classical repertoire, with
           complete works from great composers -- Beethoven, Mozart,
           Handel, Copland -- performed by world-class artists and
           orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra,
           Itzhak Perlman, Wynton Marsalis and Yo-Yo Ma.
2.         Chamber Music                                                
           The lighter side of classical music, featuring chamber music
           from small ensembles, as well as solo performances. Composers
           like Vivaldi, Telemann and Liszt performed by Ruth Laredo, the
           Juilliard String Quartet, Julian Bream and Jean-Pierre Rampal.
3.         Opera                                                        
           Full-length operatic masterpieces from Verdi, Wagner and
           Puccini, along with arias and songs, showcasing the world's
           great vocal artists, including Luciano Pavarotti, Dawn Upshaw,
           the Hilliard Ensemble, Placido Domingo and Cecilia Bartoli.
4.         Today's Country                                              
           The honest 90's sound of today's stars, including Tim McGraw,
           Leann Rimes, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Pam Tillis
           and Bryan White.
5.         Traditional Country                                          
           Classic country hits from legends like Merle Haggard, Conway
           Twitty, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn and George Jones.
6.         Contemporary Jazz                                            
           The smooth instrumental sounds of David Sanborn, Kenny G, Larry
           Carlton, Dave Koz and Bob James, mixed with the vocal stylings
           of Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau and Michael Franks.
7.         Classic Jazz                                                 
           Mainstream jazz at its finest. Features the artistry of legends
           like Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan
           and Dave Brubeck and performers following in the tradition like
           Dianne Schuur and Branford Marsalis.
8.         Blues                                                        
           The Blues from A to Z -- from legends like Muddy Waters and
           Howlin' Wolf to John Lee Hooker, Etta James, B.B. King, Robert
           Cray, Buddy Guy and exciting new artists like Keb' Mo', Duke
           Robillard and Jonny Lang.
9.         Big Band/Swing                                               
           From the great bands of the 30s and 40s to bands today.
           Featuring the sounds of Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller,
           Benny Goodman, Harry James, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
10.        Top of the Charts                                            
           Today's hottest US hits. No Doubt, Mariah Carey, Spice Girls.
11.        Classic Rock                                                 
           Classic tracks and deep album cuts from the legends of rock,
           including the Who, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led
           Zeppelin, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix and
           Jethro Tull.
12.        50's Oldies                                                  
           Sock hops and going steady. Tune in and experience it all over
           again with Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Elvis Presley.
13.        60's Oldies                                                  
           Put the top down and cruise to the sounds of the sixties. The
           solid gold sounds of Motown, the British Invasion and Surfer
           Rock.
14.        Folk Rock                                                    
           Singer-songwriters and bands with thoughtful lyrics and
           melodies, including Joni Mitchell, Lyle Lovett, James Taylor,
           Shawn Colvin, Chris Isaak, Tori Amos and Indigo Girls.
15.        Latin Ballads                                                
           Emotive romantic sounds from Julio Iglesias, Rocio Durcal,
           Roberto Carlos, Ana Gabriel, Gloria Estefan and Jon Secada.
 
<CAPTION>
16.        Latin Rhythms
           Move to the music of Ruben Blades, Albita, Juan Luis Guerra
           and
           the legendary Tito Puente.
17.        Reggae
           Reggae from legends like Bob Marley & the Wailers, Peter
           Tosh and Third World to new sounds from Steel Pulse, UB40,
           Shaggy, Ziggy Marley, Maxi Priest, Aswad and Lady Saw.
18.        Rap
           Pure rap from the masters of the genre, including Puff
           Daddy, Fugees, DJ Kool, Freak Nasty, Warren G and M.C. Lyte.
19.        Dance
           Techno, club and pop remixes from around the world make this
           one
           of the hottest spots on the dial.
20.        Urban Contemporary
           The soulful sounds of Toni Braxton, Luther Vandross, Keith
           Sweat
           and Mary J. Blige.
21.        Soft Rock
           Mainstream pop hits from artists like Celine Dion, Phil
           Collins, Gloria Estefan and George Michael.
22.        Singers & Songs
           The greats sing the standards, with legends like Frank
           Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand.
23.        Beautiful Instrumentals
           Melodic relaxing orchestrations from Richard Clayderman,
           Paul Mauriat, Zamfir, James Last, Roger Williams and James
           Galway.
24.        Album Rock
           Mainstream rock from veteran bands and new artists,
           including Aerosmith, Collective Soul, Dave Matthews Band and
           John Mellencamp.
25.        Alternative Rock
           Modern rock from such diverse bands as Beck, Live, Stone
           Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins.
26.        New Age
           Sounds that soothe and transport. Relax with Jim Brickman,
           Kitaro and Yanni.
27.        Broadway's Best
           The Great White Way shines with all your favorites from the
           past and today's hot new shows. Rodgers and Hammerstein,
           Marvin Hamlisch and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
28.        Gospel
           Soulful gospel sounds of joy. Mahalia Jackson, Al Green and
           the Winans.
29.        Children's Entertainment
           Entertaining songs and storytelling for younger listeners.
           Fred Penner, Raffi and Tom Chapin.
30.        World Beat
           Spanning continents, select sounds from all over the world:
           Gipsy Kings, Cheb Khaled, The Chieftains, Zap Mama,
           Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Youssou N'Dour.
</TABLE>
 
  The artists named herein do not endorse the Company or the securities being
                                offered hereby.
 
                                       2





<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                          The CD Radio Delivery System
                                 [Photographs]
 
                                       3
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
 
                                       4
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'Commission'). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at its regional offices located at Suite 1400, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 13th Floor, 7 World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Such reports, proxy statements and other information
concerning the Company also can be inspected and copied at the offices of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006, which supervises the Nasdaq National Market on which the
Company's Common Stock is traded. The Commission maintains a web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address
of the Commission's web site is http://www.sec.gov.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
'Registration Statement') under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
'Securities Act'), with respect of the securities covered by this Prospectus.
This Prospectus, which forms part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain
parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and such
securities, reference is hereby made to such Registration Statement, including
the exhibits filed therewith. The Registration Statement and the exhibits
thereto can be obtained by mail from or inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission as provided in the prior
paragraph.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents, which have been filed by the Company with the
Commission, are incorporated herein by reference:
 
           1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by the Annual
              Report on Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
           2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended by the
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A, for the period ended March 31,
              1997.
 
           3. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
     June 30, 1997.
 
           4. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
     September 30, 1997.
 
           5. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 1997.
 
           6. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 2, 1997.
 
           7. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 1997.
 
           8. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 8, 1997.
 
           9. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 19, 1997.
 
          10. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 7, 1997.
 
          11. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27, 1997.
 
          12. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 1997.
 
          13. The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
              Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed
              pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.
 
          14. Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Form 13E-4.
 
          15. Consent Solicitation Statement on Schedule 14A, dated October 23,
     1997.
 
                                       5
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering
of the Securities offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in the Registration Statement containing this Prospectus or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the request of such person, a copy of any or all
of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits, unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents).
Requests for such copies should be directed to: Secretary, CD Radio Inc., Sixth
Floor, 1001 22nd Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20037.
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the 'Reform Act'), the Company is hereby
providing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause
the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Reform Act) made in
this Prospectus. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to,
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or
performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as
'will likely result,' 'are expected to,' 'will continue,' 'is anticipated,'
'estimated,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'projection' and 'outlook') are not historical
facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve
estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, and are accompanied by, the factors discussed throughout this Prospectus,
and particularly in the risk factors set forth herein under 'Risk Factors.'
Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's results of
operations are the potential risk of delay in implementing the Company's
business plan; increased costs of construction and launch of necessary
satellites; dependence on satellite construction and launch contractors; risk of
launch failure; unproven market and unproven applications of existing
technology; and the Company's need for additional substantial financing. These
and other factors are discussed herein under 'Risk Factors,' 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,'
'Business' and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
     The risk factors described herein could cause actual results or outcomes to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements of the
Company made by or on behalf of the Company and investors, therefore, should not
place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is
made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on
which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for
management to predict all of such factors. Further, management cannot assess the
impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any
factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
 
                                       6


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial data appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Prospective investors should carefully consider the factors set forth herein
under the caption 'Risk Factors' and are urged to read this Prospectus in its
entirety. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus does
not give effect to the exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option
described in the prospectus relating to the Stock Offerings; and references
herein to the 'Company' refer to CD Radio Inc. and, where appropriate, its
subsidiary, Satellite CD Radio, Inc.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     CD Radio Inc. was founded in 1990 to pioneer and commercialize a compact
disc quality, multi-channel radio service broadcast directly from satellites to
vehicles ('satellite radio'). In October 1997, the Company was granted one of
two licenses ('FCC Licenses') from the Federal Communication Commission (the
'FCC') to build, launch and operate a national satellite radio broadcast system.
The Company has begun construction of two satellites that it plans to launch
into geosynchronous orbit to broadcast its radio service throughout the United
States. The Company's service, which will be marketed under the brand name 'CD
Radio,' is expected to consist of 30 channels of commercial-free, compact disc
quality music programming and 20 channels of news, sports and talk programming.
CD Radio will be broadcast over a frequency band (the 'S-band') that will
augment traditional AM and FM radio bands. Under its FCC license, the Company
has the exclusive use of a 12.5 megahertz portion of the S-band for this
purpose. The Company currently expects to commence CD Radio broadcasts in late
1999 at a subscription price of $10 per month.
 
     The Company is positioning itself as an entertainment company and
accordingly plans to design and originate programming on each of its 30 music
channels. Each channel will be operated as a separate radio station with a
distinct format. Certain music channels will offer continuous music while others
will have program hosts, depending on the type of music programming. CD Radio
will offer a wide range of music categories, such as:
 
  Symphonic
  Chamber Music
  Opera
  Today's Country
  Traditional Country
  Contemporary Jazz
  Classic Jazz
  Blues
  Big Band/Swing
  Top of the Charts
 
  Classic Rock
  50's Oldies
  60's Oldies
  Folk Rock
  Latin Ballads
  Latin Rhythms
  Reggae
  Rap
  Dance
  Urban Contemporary
 
  Soft Rock
  Singers & Songs
  Beautiful Instrumentals
  Album Rock
  Alternative Rock
  New Age
  Broadway's Best
  Gospel
  Children's Entertainment
  World Beat
 
                            THE CD RADIO OPPORTUNITY
 
     The Company believes that there is a significant market for music and other
radio programming delivered through advanced radio technology. While television
technology has advanced steadily -- from black and white to color, from
broadcast to cable, and from ordinary to high-definition television -- the last
major advance in radio technology was the introduction of FM broadcasts. CD
Radio will provide a new generation of radio service, offering a wide variety of
music formats available on demand, nearly seamless signal coverage throughout
the United States and commercial-free, compact disc quality music programming.
The Company's planned multiplicity of formats currently is not available to
motorists in any market within the United States.
 
     CD Radio is primarily a service for motorists. The Yankee Group, a market
research organization, estimates that there will be approximately 198 million
registered private motor vehicles in the United States by the end of 1999, when
the Company expects to commence broadcasting. At present, 

                                      7


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
approximately 89% of all private vehicles have a radio that could easily be 
utilized to receive CD Radio's broadcasts, with this number estimated to be 
approximately 182 million vehicles in 1999, and approximately 199 million in 
2004. CD Radio initially will target a number of demographic groups among the 
drivers of these vehicles, including 110 million commuters, 34 million of whom 
spend between one and two hours commuting daily, three million truck drivers 
and three million owners of recreational vehicles. According to a 1996 market 
study, although almost all vehicles contain either a cassette or compact disc 
player, 87% of automobile commuters listened to the radio an average of 50 
minutes a day while commuting.
 
     The Company believes that the ability to offer a wide variety of musical
formats simultaneously throughout the United States will enable it to tap
significant unmet consumer demand for specialized music programming. The
economics of the existing advertiser supported local radio industry dictate that
radio stations generally program for the greatest potential audience. Even in
the largest metropolitan areas, station formats are limited. Nearly half of all
commercial radio stations in the United States offer one of only three formats:
country, adult contemporary and news/talk, and the next three most prevalent
formats account for another 30% of all stations. Although niche music categories
such as classical, jazz, rap, gospel, oldies, soundtracks, new age, children's
and others accounted for approximately 27% of sales of recorded music in 1996,
such formats generally are unavailable on existing radio stations in many
markets. Even in New York City, the nation's largest radio market, there are no
radio stations devoted solely to such programming as opera, blues, chamber
music, soundtracks, reggae, children's programming and many others. CD Radio's
wide choice of formats is expected to appeal to a large number of currently
underserved listeners.
 
     In addition, due to the limited coverage area of conventional radio
broadcasting, listeners often travel beyond the range of any single station.
Unlike conventional FM stations, which have an average range of only
approximately 30 miles before reception fades, CD Radio's signal is designed to
cover the entire continental United States, enabling listeners almost always to
remain within its broadcast range. The Company's satellite delivery system is
designed to permit CD Radio to be received by motorists in all outdoor locations
where a vehicle has an unobstructed line-of-sight with one of the Company's
satellites or is within range of one of the Company's terrestrial repeating
transmitters.
 
     The ability to broadcast nationwide will also allow the Company to serve
currently underserved radio markets. In the United States, there are more than
45 million people aged 12 and over living in areas with such limited radio
station coverage that the areas are not monitored by The Arbitron
Company, a broadcast industry ratings organization ('Arbitron'). Of these, the
Company believes that approximately 22 million people receive five or fewer FM
stations, 1.6 million receive only one FM station and at least one million
people receive no FM stations. This segment of the population also has a limited
choice of radio music formats and is one of CD Radio's primary target markets.
 
     The Company also believes that CD Radio will have a competitive advantage
over conventional radio stations because its music channels will be
commercial-free. In contrast, conventional radio stations interrupt their
broadcasts with up to 18 minutes of commercials in every hour of music
programming, and most stations also frequently interrupt programming with news,
promotional announcements, public service announcements and miscellaneous
information. The Company believes that consumers dislike frequent radio
commercial interruptions and that 'station surfing' to avoid them is common.
 
                              THE CD RADIO SERVICE
 
     CD Radio will offer motorists: (i) a wide range of finely focused music
formats; (ii) nearly seamless signal coverage throughout the continental United
States; (iii) commercial-free music programming; and (iv) plug and play
convenience.
 
     Wide Choice of Programming. Each of CD Radio's 30 music channels will have
a distinctive format, such as opera, reggae, classic jazz and children's
entertainment, intended to cater to specific subscriber tastes. In most markets,
radio broadcasters target their programming to broad audience segments. Even 
 
                                       8
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
in the largest metropolitan markets the variety of station formats generally is
limited, and many of the Company's planned formats are unavailable.
 
     'Seamless' Signal Coverage. CD Radio will be available throughout the
continental United States, enabling listeners almost always to be within its
broadcast range. The Company expects its nearly seamless signal will appeal to
motorists who frequently travel long distances, including truck drivers and
recreational vehicle owners, as well as commuters and others who outdrive the
range of their FM signals. In addition, the Company expects its broadcasts will
appeal to the 45 million consumers who live in areas that currently receive only
a small number of FM stations.
 
     Commercial-Free Music Programming. The Company will provide commercial-free
music programming. The Company's market research indicates that a principal
complaint of radio listeners concerning conventional broadcast radio is the
frequency of commercials. Because CD Radio, unlike most commercial AM and FM
stations, will be a subscription and not an advertiser supported service, its
music channels will not contain commercials.
 
     Plug and Play Convenience. Consumers will be able to receive CD Radio
broadcasts by acquiring an adapter (a 'radio card') and an easily attachable,
silver dollar-sized satellite dish antenna. Listeners will not be required to
replace their existing car radios and will be able to use the radio card by
plugging it into their radio's cassette or compact disc slot. CD Radio listeners
using a radio card will be able to push a button to switch between AM, FM and CD
Radio. Radio cards will have a visual display that will indicate the channel and
format selected, as well as the title, recording artist and album title of the
song being played. Radio cards will also be portable and will be able to be
moved from car to car. Radio card activation will be accomplished directly via
satellite by calling the Company's customer service center at 888-CD-RADIO.
 
                          THE CD RADIO DELIVERY SYSTEM
 
     The CD Radio delivery system will consist of three principal components:
(i) the satellites; (ii) the receivers; and (iii) the national broadcast studio.
 
     The Satellites. The Company has designed the CD Radio delivery system to
transmit an identical signal from two satellites placed in geosynchronous orbit
at 80(X) W and 110(X) W longitude. The Company believes that these two
satellites will provide nearly continuous, 'seamless' signal coverage throughout
the continental United States. When the line-of-sight to one satellite is
obstructed, the line-of-sight to the other generally will be available. In 
certain urban areas with significant line-of-sight obstructions, the Company 
intends to install terrestrial repeating transmitters that will rebroadcast 
its signals and improve the quality of reception.
 
     There currently are no commercial satellites in orbit capable of
transmitting radio signals on S-band frequencies to the United States. In order
to provide CD Radio the Company must build and launch its own satellites. The
Company has entered into a contract with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. ('Loral'), a
subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications Ltd. ('Loral Space'), to build three
satellites, one of which the Company intends to hold as a spare, and which
grants an option to the Company to purchase an additional satellite (the 'Loral
Satellite Contract'). The Company also has contracted for two launch slots (the
'Arianespace Launch Contract') with Arianespace S.A. ('Arianespace'), a leading
supplier of satellite launch services.
 
     The Receivers. Subscribers to CD Radio will not need to replace their
existing AM/FM car radios. Instead they will be able to receive CD Radio in
their vehicles using a radio card similar in size to a cassette tape or compact
disc that has been designed to plug easily into the cassette or compact disc
slot of existing car radios. The radio card uses proprietary technology
developed by the Company. In addition to radio cards, the Company expects that
consumers will be able to receive CD Radio using a new generation of radios
capable of receiving S-band as well as AM and FM signals ('S-band radios').
 
     In addition to a radio card or S-band radio, a vehicle must be equipped
with an antenna in order to receive CD Radio. The Company has designed a battery
powered, miniature silver dollar-sized satellite dish antenna, the base of which
has an adhesive backing so that consumers will be able to easily attach 
 
                                       9
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
the satellite dish antenna to a car's rear window. The base houses a wireless
transmitter that will relay the CD Radio signal to the vehicle's radio card or
S-band radio. The satellite dish antenna also uses proprietary technology
developed by the Company.
 
     The Company expects that radio cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite
dish antennas will be manufactured by one or more consumer electronics
manufacturers and sold at retail outlets that sell consumer electronics, and
that the miniature satellite dish antennas will be sold together with the radio
cards or S-band radios. The Company believes that, when manufactured in
quantity, S-band radios will be incrementally more expensive than today's car
radios. The Company currently expects that the radio card together with the
miniature satellite dish antenna will be sold at a retail price of approximately
$200. Because subscribers will be able to use the radio card in almost all
existing vehicles, the Company believes that the availability of plug and play
radio cards will be of prime importance to its market penetration for a number
of years.
 
     The Company does not intend to manufacture or distribute radio cards,
S-band radios or miniature satellite dish antennas. The Company has entered into
non-binding memoranda of understanding with two major consumer electronics
manufacturers, and has commenced discussions with several other such
manufacturers, regarding the manufacture of radio cards, S-band radios and
miniature satellite dish antennas for retail sale in the United States.
 
     The National Broadcast Studio. The Company plans to originate its 50
channels of programming from a national broadcast studio (the 'National
Broadcast Studio') to be located in the New York metropolitan region. The
National Broadcast Studio will house the Company's music library, facilities for
programming origination, programming personnel and program hosts, as well as
facilities to uplink programming to the satellites, to activate or deactivate
service to subscribers and to perform the tracking, telemetry and control of the
orbiting satellites.

                                PROGRESS TO DATE
 
     The Company was formed in May 1990 and at that time proposed that the FCC
create a satellite radio broadcast service and also filed an application with
the FCC for a license to provide such a service. Since that time, the Company
has:
 
<TABLE>
<S>    <C>
1993      Contracted with Loral for construction of its satellites
          Contracted with Arianespace for launch of two of its satellites
 
1994      Completed an initial public offering of its Common Stock
 
1995      Completed development of its proprietary miniature satellite dish antenna
 
1996      Designed the radio card receiver
 
1997      Received one of two FCC national satellite radio broadcast licenses
          Completed a $135 million private placement of 5% Preferred Stock
          Commenced construction of two satellites
          Completed receipt of satellite broadcast patents
          Arranged $105 million of vendor financing with Arianespace Finance S.A.
          Recruited its key programming, marketing and financial management team
          Completed a strategic sale of $25 million of Common Stock to Loral Space
</TABLE>
 
     See 'Business -- Progress to Date and Significant Development Milestones.'
 
                              CONCURRENT OFFERINGS
 
   
     The Units Offering is part of a financing transaction, which includes the
Stock Offerings and the Exchange Offer, that is intended to raise capital (i) to
partially finance the construction and launch of the Company's satellites and
(ii) for general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange
Offer, the Company has offered to exchange shares of its Series C Preferred
Stock for up to all of the outstanding shares of its 5% Preferred Stock. On
November 20, 1997, the Exchange Offer was 

 
                                       10
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
consummated and shares of Series C Preferred Stock were exchanged for all of 
the outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock. The Offerings will result in net
proceeds to the Company of approximately $164.5 million: $118.9 million from the
Units Offering and $45.6 million from the Stock Offerings. The Company received
no proceeds from the Exchange Offer. See 'Use of Proceeds.' The consummation of 
the Units Offering is not conditioned upon the consummation of the Stock
Offerings but is conditioned upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and 
there can be no assurance that the Stock Offerings will be completed.
    
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
   
     The Company's ability to meet its objectives will depend on several
factors, including the timely receipt of necessary governmental approvals,
obtaining additional financing, constructing and launching two satellites into
orbit, developing and manufacturing radio bands, S-band radios and miniature
satellite dish antennas by consumer electronics manufacturers, the rapid
creation of an organization and the management of growth. The Company estimates
that it will require approximately $645.9 million to develop and commence
commercial operation of CD Radio by the end of 1999. Of this amount, the Company
has raised approximately $266.6 million to date. After giving effect to the
Offerings, the Company will have raised approximately $442.0 million of funds,
leaving anticipated additional cash needs of approximately $203.9 million to
fund its operations through 1999. The Company anticipates additional cash
requirements of approximately $100.0 million to fund its operations through the
year 2000. The Company expects to finance the remainder of its funding
requirements through the issuance of debt or equity securities or a combination
thereof. See 'Risk Factors' for a discussion of important factors that should be
considered by prospective purchasers in the Units Offering.
    
 
     The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware as Satellite CD
Radio, Inc. on May 17, 1990. On December 7, 1992, the Company's name was changed
to CD Radio Inc., and the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Satellite 
CD Radio, Inc., that is the holder of record of the Company's FCC License. The 
Company's executive offices are located at Sixth Floor, 1001 22nd Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20037, its telephone number is 202-296-6192 and its Internet 
address is www.cdradio.com.
 
                                       11
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Securities Offered...........................  12,910 Units consisting of $258,200,000 aggregate principal amount
                                               at maturity of 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 of the
                                               Company and 12,910 warrants to acquire an aggregate of 38,730,000
                                               principal amount at maturity of Senior Secured Discount Notes due
                                               2007. Each Unit consists of $20,000 principal amount at maturity
                                               of Notes and one Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire
                                               $3,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes. The Notes will be
                                               issued with original issue discount. See 'Certain United States
                                               Tax Considerations.'
 
Separability.................................  The Notes and the Warrants will not be separately transferable
                                               until the earliest of (i) the occurrence of an Exercise Event (as
                                               defined herein), (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default (as
                                               defined in Description of the Notes -- Events of Default') or
                                               (iii) such earlier date as determined by Merrill Lynch in its
                                               sole discretion (the date of the occurrence of an event specified
                                               in clauses (i) - (iii) being the 'Separability Date').
 
Use of Proceeds..............................  To partially finance the construction and launch of the Company's
                                               satellites, and for general corporate purposes.
 
NOTES:
 
Notes Offered................................  $258,200,000 principal amount at maturity of Senior Secured
                                               Discount Notes due 2007.
 
Maturity Date................................  December 1, 2007.
 
Yield and Interest...........................  15% per annum (computed on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis)
                                               calculated from November 26, 1997. Based on the issue price of the
                                               Units and assuming the Warrants are exercised, the yield to
                                               maturity on the Notes, determined by semiannual compounding of
                                               interest, is 16.74%. See 'Description of the Units' and 'Certain
                                               Federal Income Tax Considerations.' Cash interest will not accrue
                                               on the Notes prior to December 1, 2002, from which time cash
                                               interest will accrue on the Notes at a rate of 15% per annum.
                                               Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on each June 1 and
                                               December 1, commencing June 1, 2003.
 
Optional Redemption..........................  The Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the Company, in
                                               whole or in part, at any time on or after December 1, 2002 at the
                                               redemption prices set forth herein, together with accrued
                                               interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
 
Change of Control............................  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein),
                                               each holder of Notes may require the Company to purchase all or a
                                               portion of such holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal
                                               to 101% of the Accreted Value thereof, together with accrued
                                               interest, if any, to the date of purchase. See 'Description of the
                                               Notes -- Certain Covenants -- Purchase of Notes upon a Change of
                                               Control.'
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       12
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Ranking......................................  The Notes will be senior secured obligations of the Company
                                               ranking pari passu in right of payment with all existing and
                                               future unsubordinated obligations of the Company, and senior in
                                               rights of payment to all existing and future obligations of the
                                               Company expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.
                                               The Indenture permits the Company and its subsidiaries to incur
                                               additional unsecured and secured indebtedness, including vendor
                                               financing from Arianespace Finance S.A. and Loral Space. See
                                               'Description of Notes -- Certain Covenants' and 'Description of
                                               Certain Indebtedness.' As of September 30, 1997, on a pro forma
                                               basis after giving effect to the Units Offering and the
                                               application of the net proceeds therefrom, indebtedness of the
                                               Company would have been approximately $25 million (plus
                                               approximately $125 million of indebtedness to be issued upon
                                               exercise of the Warrants), all of which would have been secured
                                               indebtedness.
 
Security.....................................  The Notes will be secured by a first priority perfected security
                                               interest in all of the issued and outstanding common stock of
                                               Satellite CD Radio, Inc. (the 'Pledged Stock'). Satellite CD
                                               Radio, Inc. conducts no business activities and its only asset is
                                               an FCC License. The Notes are not secured by any lien on, or other
                                               security interest in, any other properties or assets of the
                                               Company or Satellite CD Radio, Inc. The Indenture will permit the
                                               Company to incur additional secured financing including (i) up to
                                               $145 million under the AEF Agreements (as defined herein) and the
                                               Loral Satellite Contract (as defined herein) and (ii) certain
                                               other financing. Any secured financing incurred by the Company
                                               under either (i) or (ii) above may be secured on a pari passu
                                               basis with the holders of Notes with respect to the Pledged Stock.
 
Original Issue Discount......................  Each Note is being offered at an original issue discount for
                                               United States federal income tax purposes. Thus, although cash
                                               interest will not begin to accrue on the Notes until December 1,
                                               2002, and there will be no periodic payments of interest on the
                                               Notes prior to June 1, 2003, original issue discount (i.e., the
                                               difference between the stated redemption price at maturity of the
                                               Notes and the issue price of the Notes) will accrue from the issue
                                               date and will be includible as interest income periodically in a
                                               holder's gross income for federal income tax purposes in advance
                                               of receipt of the cash payments to which the income is
                                               attributable. See 'Certain United States Tax Considerations.'
 
Restrictive Covenants........................  The Indenture governing the Notes (the 'Indenture') will include
                                               covenants with respect to the following matters: (i) limitation on
                                               indebtedness; (ii) limitation on restricted payments; (iii)
                                               limitation on issuances and sale of capital stock of restricted
                                               subsidiaries; (iv) limitation on transactions with affiliates; (v)
                                               limitation on liens; (vi) limitation on sale-leaseback
                                               transactions, (vii) limitation
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       13
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                                               on sale of assets; (viii) limitation on dividend and other payment
                                               restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries; (ix) insurance and
                                               (x) reports. See 'Description of the Notes -- Certain Covenants.'
 
Use of Proceeds..............................  To partially finance the construction and launch of the Company's
                                               satellites, and for general corporate purposes. See 'Use of
                                               Proceeds.'
 
WARRANTS:
 
Warrants.....................................  The Warrants will entitle the holders thereof to acquire an
                                               aggregate of $38,730,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes.
 
Expiration Date..............................  The Warrants will expire on December 4, 1997 (the 'Expiration
                                               Date.')
 
Exercise.....................................  Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire on and after its
                                               date of issuance and prior to the Expiration Date, $3,000 principal
                                               amount at maturity of Notes. The Notes issuable or deliverable upon
                                               exercise of the Warrants are collectively referred to as 'Warrant
                                               Securities.'
 
Rights as Noteholders........................  Holders of Warrants will not, by virtue of being such holders,
                                               have any rights of holders of Notes.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       14
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The summary consolidated financial data for the Company set forth below
with respect to the statements of operations for the years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996 and with respect to the balance sheets at December 31, 1995
and 1996 are derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company,
audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, incorporated
herein by reference. The summary consolidated financial data for the Company,
with respect to the balance sheets at December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 and with
respect to the statement of operations data for the years ended December 31,
1992 and 1993, are derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements, which are not incorporated herein by reference. The financial
information as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 is
derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by
reference. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial
statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals,
that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results
of operations for these periods. The selected consolidated financial data should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes thereto incorporated herein by reference.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                    ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          --------------------------------------------------   ------------------------------
                                           1992      1993       1994       1995       1996          1996            1997
                                          -------   -------   --------   --------   --------   --------------  --------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues......................  $    --   $    --   $     --   $     --   $     --      $        --     $        --
Net loss................................   (1,551)   (6,568)    (4,065)    (2,107)    (2,831)          (1,871)         (1,489)
Net loss per share of Common Stock......     (.23)     (.79)      (.48)      (.23)      (.29)            (.20)          (4.97)(1)
Weighted average shares of Common Stock
  and Common Stock equivalents
  outstanding...........................    6,715     8,284      8,398      9,224      9,642            9,441          10,760
Deemed dividend on 5% Preferred Stock...       --        --         --         --         --               --     $   (51,975)
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                          AS OF DECEMBER 31,                        AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
                                          --------------------------------------------------   ------------------------------
                                           1992      1993       1994       1995       1996          1996            1997
                                          -------   -------   --------   --------   --------   --------------  --------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Cash and cash equivalents...............  $ 1,883   $   777   $  3,400   $  1,800   $  4,584      $     4,942     $    29,386
Designated cash(2)......................       --        --         --         --         --               --          66,677
Working capital (deficit)...............    1,399      (250)     2,908      1,741      4,442            5,040          29,871
Total assets............................    2,292     1,663      3,971      2,334      5,065            5,934         148,430
Deficit accumulated during the
  development stage.....................   (2,965)   (9,533)   (13,598)   (15,705)   (18,536)         (17,577)        (72,000)
Stockholders' equity....................    1,791       505      3,431      1,991      4,898            5,460          32,265
Book value per share....................                                                 .48                             2.57
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Includes a deemed dividend on the Company's 5% Preferred Stock of $52.0
    million, or $4.83 per share. The deemed dividend relates to the discount
    feature associated with the 5% Preferred Stock, computed in accordance with
    the Commission's position on accounting for preferred stock which is
    convertible at a discount to the market price.
(2) Represents proceeds of the offering of the 5% Preferred Stock which have
    been classified as designated cash reflecting the balance due to the FCC for
    the Company's FCC License. The Company paid this amount to the FCC in
    October 1997.
 
                                       15


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the Units offered hereby involves a high degree of risk.
In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the following factors
should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company and its business before
making an investment in the Units offered hereby. This Prospectus contains
certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities
laws. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially
from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to a number of
factors, including those set forth below and elsewhere in this Prospectus. See
'Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.'
 
EXPECTATION OF CONTINUING LOSSES; NEGATIVE CASH FLOW
 
     The Company is a development stage company and its proposed service, CD
Radio, is in an early stage of development. Since its inception, the Company's
activities have been concentrated on raising capital, obtaining required
licenses, developing technology, strategic planning and market research. From
its inception on May 17, 1990 through September 30, 1997, the Company has had no
revenues and has incurred aggregate net losses of approximately $20.0 million,
including net losses of approximately $2.8 million during the year ended
December 31, 1996 and $1.5 million during the nine months ended September 30,
1997. The Company does not expect to generate any revenues from operations until
late 1999 or 2000 at the earliest, and expects that positive cash flow from
operations will not be generated until late 2000 at the earliest. The ability of
the Company to generate revenues and achieve profitability will depend upon a
number of factors, including the timely receipt of all necessary FCC
authorizations, the successful and timely construction and deployment of its
satellite system, the development and manufacture of radio cards, S-band radios
and miniature satellite dish antennas by consumer electronics manufacturers, the
timely establishment of its National Broadcast Studio and the successful
marketing and consumer acceptance of CD Radio. There can be no assurance that
any of the foregoing will be accomplished, that CD Radio will ever commence
operations, that the Company will attain any particular level of revenues or
that the Company will achieve profitability.
 
NEED FOR SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL FINANCING
 
   
     The Company estimates that it will require approximately $645.9 million to
develop and commence commercial operation of CD Radio by the end of 1999. Of
this amount, the Company has raised approximately $266.6 million to date. After
giving effect to the Offerings, the Company will have raised approximately
$442.0 million of funds, leaving anticipated additional cash needs of
approximately $203.9 million to fund its operations through 1999. The Company
anticipates additional cash requirements of approximately $100.0 million to fund
its operations through the year 2000. The Company expects to finance the
remainder of its funding requirements through the issuance of debt or equity
securities or a combination thereof. Additional funds, however, would be
required in the event of delays, cost overruns, launch failure or other adverse
developments. Furthermore, if the Company were to exercise its option under the
Loral Satellite Contract to purchase and deploy an additional satellite,
substantial additional funds would be required. See 'Use of Proceeds.' The
Company currently does not have sufficient financing commitments to fund all of
its capital needs, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all, or that it will be
able to do so on a timely basis. The AEF Agreements (as defined herein) contain,
the indenture governing the Notes (the 'Indenture') will contain and documents
governing any other future indebtedness are likely to contain provisions that
limit the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness. The Company
has substantial near-term funding requirements related to the construction and
launch of its satellites. The Company is committed to make aggregate payments of
$277.1 million under the Loral Satellite Contract and of $176.0 million under
the Arianespace Launch Contract. Under the Loral Satellite Contract, payments
are to be made in 22 installments, which commenced in April 1997. Payments due
under the Arianespace Launch Contract commence November 1997 for the first
launch, and February 1998 for the second launch. See 'Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources -- Funding Requirements.' Failure to secure the necessary
financing on a timely basis could result in delays and increases in the cost of
satellite construction or launch or other activities necessary to put CD Radio
into operation, could cause the Company to default on its commitments to its
satellite construction or
    
 
                                       16
 

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satellite launch contractors, its creditors or others, could render the Company
unable to put CD Radio into operation and could force the Company to discontinue
operations or seek a purchaser for its business.
 
POSSIBLE DELAYS AND ADVERSE EFFECT OF DELAY ON FINANCING REQUIREMENTS
 
     The Company currently expects to begin offering CD Radio in late 1999. The
Company's ability to meet that objective will depend on several factors. For
both of the two satellites required for the CD Radio service to be launched and
in operation by the end of 1999, Loral will be required to deliver the second
satellite three months prior to the delivery date specified in the contract,
which cannot be assured. See 'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System -- The
Satellites -- Satellite Construction.' Furthermore, the launch of both
satellites will have to occur within the early months of the launch periods
reserved with Arianespace, which also cannot be assured. See 'Business -- The CD
Radio Delivery System -- The Satellites -- Launch Services.' A significant delay
in the planned development, construction, launch and commencement of operation
of the Company's satellites would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Other delays in the development or commencement of commercial operations of CD
Radio may also have a material adverse effect on the Company. Any such delays
could result from a variety of causes, including delays associated with
obtaining additional FCC authorizations, coordinating use of spectrum with
Canada and Mexico, inability to obtain necessary financing in a timely manner,
delays in or modifications to the design, development, construction or testing
of satellites, the National Broadcast Studio or other aspects of the CD Radio
system, changes of technical specifications, delay in commercial availability of
radio cards, S-band radios or miniature satellite dish antennas, failure of the
Company's vendors to perform as anticipated or a delayed or unsuccessful
satellite launch or deployment. During any period of delay, the Company would
continue to have significant cash requirements, including capital expenditures,
administrative and overhead costs, contractual obligations and debt service
requirements that could materially increase the aggregate amount of funding
required to permit the Company to commence operating CD Radio. Additional
financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all during periods of
delay. Delay also could cause the Company to be placed at a competitive
disadvantage in relation to any competitor that succeeds in beginning operations
earlier than the Company. See ' -- Unavailability of Radio Cards, S-band Radios
and Miniature Satellite Dish Antennas,' ' -- Continuing Oversight by the FCC,'
'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System -- The Receivers' and
'Business -- Government Regulations -- Communications Laws.'
 
RELIANCE ON UNPROVEN APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
 
     CD Radio is designed to be broadcast from two satellites in geosynchronous
orbit that transmit identical signals to radio cards or S-band radios through
miniature satellite dish antennas. This design involves new applications of
existing technology which have not been deployed and there can be no assurance
that the CD Radio system will work as planned. In addition, radio cards, S-band
radios and miniature satellite dish antennas are not currently available. In
certain areas with high concentrations of tall buildings and other obstructions,
such as large urban areas, or in tunnels, signals from both satellites will be
blocked and CD Radio reception will be adversely affected. In urban areas, the
Company plans to install terrestrial repeating transmitters to rebroadcast CD
Radio; however, certain areas with impediments to satellite line-of-sight may
still experience 'dead zones.' Although management believes that the technology
developed by the Company will allow the CD Radio system to operate as planned,
there can be no assurance that it will do so. See ' -- Unavailability of Radio
Cards, S-band Radios or Miniature Satellite Dish Antennas,' 'Business -- The CD
Radio Delivery System' and 'Business -- Technology and Patents.'
 
DEPENDENCE UPON SATELLITE AND LAUNCH CONTRACTORS
 
     The Company's business will depend upon the successful construction and
launch of the satellites which will be used to transmit CD Radio. The Company
will rely upon its satellite vendor, Loral, for the construction and timely
delivery of these satellites. Failure by Loral to deliver functioning satellites
in a timely manner could materially adversely affect the Company's business.
Although the Loral Satellite Contract provides for certain late delivery
penalties, Loral will not be liable for indirect or
 
                                       17
 

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consequential damages or lost revenues or profits resulting from late delivery
or other defaults. Title and risk of loss for the first and second satellites
are to pass to the Company at the time of launch. The satellites are warranted
to be in accordance with the performance specifications in the Loral Satellite
Contract and free from defects in materials and workmanship at the time of
delivery, which for the first two satellites will be deemed to occur at the time
of arrival of the satellites at the launch base. After delivery, no warranty
coverage applies if the satellite is launched. See 'Business -- The CD Radio
Delivery System -- The Satellites -- Satellite Construction.'
 
     The Company is dependent on its satellite launch vendor, Arianespace, for
the construction of launch vehicles and the successful launch of the Company's
satellites. Failure of Arianespace to launch the satellites in a timely manner
could materially adversely affect the Company's business. The Arianespace Launch
Contract entitles Arianespace to postpone either of the Company's launches for a
variety of reasons, including technical problems, lack of co-passenger(s) for
the Company's launch or the need to conduct a replacement launch for another
customer, a launch of a scientific satellite whose mission may be degraded by
delay, or a launch of another customer's satellite whose launch was postponed.
Although the Arianespace Launch Contract provides liquidated damages for delay,
depending on the length of the delay, and entitles the Company to terminate the
agreement for delay exceeding 12 months, there can be no assurance that these
remedies will adequately mitigate any damage to the Company's business caused by
launch delays. See ' -- Possible Delays and Adverse Effect of Delay on Financing
Requirements.' The liability of Arianespace in the event of a launch failure is
limited to providing a replacement launch in the case of a total launch failure
or paying an amount based on lost satellite capacity in the case of a partial
launch failure. See 'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System -- The
Satellites -- Launch Services.'
 
SATELLITE LAUNCH RISKS
 
     Satellite launches are subject to significant risks, including launch
failure, satellite destruction or damage during launch and failure to achieve
proper orbital placement. Launch failure rates may vary depending on the
particular launch vehicle and contractor. Although past experience is not
necessarily indicative of future performance, Arianespace has advised the
Company that as of November 13, 1997, 87 of 92 Arianespace launches (or
approximately 94.6%) have been completed successfully since May 1984. See
'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System -- The Satellites -- Launch Services.'
However, the Ariane 5, the particular launch vehicle intended for the launches
of the Company's satellites, has had only two launches, one of which was a
failure. In the event of a significant delay in the Ariane 5 program, the
Company has the right to request launch on an Ariane 4 launch vehicle. There is
no assurance that Arianespace's launches of the Company's satellites will be
successful. Satellites also may fail to achieve a proper orbit or be damaged in
space. See ' -- Limited Life of Satellites; In-orbit Failure.' As part of its
risk management program, the Company plans to construct a third, backup
satellite and to obtain insurance covering a replacement launch to the extent
required to cover risks not assumed by Arianespace under the Arianespace Launch
Contract. See ' -- Insurance Risks.' The launch of a replacement satellite would
delay the commencement or continuation of the Company's commercial operations
for a period of at least several months, which could have a material adverse
effect on the demand for the Company's services and on its revenues and results
of operations. See 'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System -- The
Satellites -- Launch Services.'
 
UNCERTAIN MARKET ACCEPTANCE
 
     There is currently no satellite radio service such as CD Radio in
commercial operation in the United States. As a result, the extent of the
potential demand for such a service and the degree to which the Company's
proposed service will meet that demand cannot be estimated with certainty, and
there can be no assurance that there will be sufficient demand for CD Radio to
enable the Company to achieve significant revenues or cash flow or profitable
operations. The success of CD Radio in gaining market acceptance will be
affected by a number of factors beyond the Company's control, including the
willingness of consumers to pay subscription fees to obtain satellite radio
broadcasts, the cost, availability and consumer acceptance of radio cards,
S-band radios and miniature satellite dish antennas, the marketing and pricing
strategies of competitors, the development of alternative technologies or
services and general economic conditions. See 'Business -- The Radio Market,'
'Business -- The
 
                                       18
 

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CD Radio Service,' 'Business -- Marketing Strategy,' 'Business -- The CD Radio
Delivery System' and 'Business -- Competition.'
 
LIMITED LIFE OF SATELLITES; IN-ORBIT FAILURE
 
     A number of factors will affect the useful lives of the Company's
satellites, including the quality of construction, the expected gradual
environmental degradation of solar panels, the amount of fuel on board and the
durability of component parts. Random failure of satellite components could
result in damage to or loss of a satellite. In rare cases, satellites could also
be damaged or destroyed by electrostatic storms or collisions with other objects
in space. If the Company is required to launch the spare satellite, due to
failure of the launch or in-orbit failure of one of the operational satellites,
its operational timetable would be delayed for approximately six months or more.
The launch or in-orbit failure of two satellites would require the Company to
arrange for additional satellites to be built and could delay the commencement
or continuation of the Company's operations for three years or more. The
Company's satellites are expected to have useful lives of approximately 15
years, after which their performance in delivering CD Radio is expected to
deteriorate. There can be no assurance, however, of the specific longevity of
any particular satellite. The Company's operating results would be adversely
affected in the event the useful life of its initial satellites is significantly
shorter than 15 years.
 
INSURANCE RISKS
 
     Pursuant to the Loral Satellite Contract and the Arianespace Launch
Contract, the Company is the beneficiary of certain limited warranties with
respect to the services provided under each agreement. However, these limited
warranties do not cover a substantial portion of the risks inherent in satellite
launches or in-orbit operations, and the Company will have to obtain insurance
to adequately protect against such risks.
 
     The Arianespace Launch Contract contains a provision entitling the Company
to a replacement launch in the event of a launch failure caused by the launch
vehicle used to launch the Company's satellites. In such event, the Company
would utilize the spare satellite that it is having constructed. Thus, the
Company does not intend to purchase additional insurance for launch failure of
the launch vehicle. The Company intends to insure against other contingencies,
including a failure during launch caused by factors other than the launch
vehicle and/or a failure involving the second or third satellite in a situation
in which the spare satellite has been used to replace the first or second
satellite. Any adverse change in insurance market conditions may result in an
increase, which may be substantial, in the insurance premiums paid by the
Company. There is no assurance that launch insurance will be available or, if
available, that it can be obtained at a cost or on terms acceptable to the
Company.
 
     If the launch of either of the Company's two satellites is a full or
partial failure or if, following launch, either of the satellites does not
perform to specifications, there may be circumstances in which insurance will
not fully reimburse the Company for its expenditures with respect to the
applicable satellite. In addition, the Company has not acquired insurance that
would reimburse the Company for business interruption, loss of business and
similar losses which might arise from such events or from delay in the launch of
either of the satellites. Any insurance obtained by the Company also will likely
contain certain exclusions and material change conditions that are customary in
the industry. See 'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System -- The
Satellites -- Risk Management and Insurance.'
 
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
 
     The industry in which the Company operates is characterized by rapid
technological advances and innovations. There is no assurance that one or more
of the technologies utilized or under development by the Company will not become
obsolete, or that its services will be in demand at the time they are offered.
The Company will be dependent upon technologies developed by third parties to
implement key aspects of its proposed system, and there can be no assurance that
more advanced technologies will be available to the Company on a timely basis or
on reasonable terms or that more advanced technologies will be used by the
Company's competitors and that such technologies will be available to the
Company. In addition, unforeseen problems in the development of the Company's
satellite radio
 
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broadcasting system may occur that could adversely affect performance, cost or
timely implementation of the system and could have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
 
UNAVAILABILITY OF RADIO CARDS, S-BAND RADIOS OR MINIATURE SATELLITE DISH
ANTENNAS
 
     The Company's business strategy requires that subscribers to CD Radio
purchase radio cards or S-band radios as well as the associated miniature
satellite dish antennas in order to receive the service. See 'Business -- The CD
Radio Delivery System.' Neither the radio cards, S-band radios nor miniature
satellite dish antennas currently are available, and the Company is unaware of
any manufacturer currently developing such products. The Company does not intend
to manufacture or distribute radio cards, S-band radios or miniature satellite
dish antennas. The Company has entered into non-binding memoranda of
understanding with two major consumer electronics manufacturers, and has
commenced discussions with several other such manufacturers, regarding the
manufacture of radio cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite dish antennas
for retail sale in the United States. The Company currently intends to select
one manufacturer of these products on an exclusive basis for the first year of
CD Radio broadcasts. There can be no assurance, however, that these discussions
or memoranda of understanding will result in a binding commitment on the part of
any manufacturer to produce radio cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite
dish antennas in a timely manner and at an affordable price so as to permit the
widespread introduction of CD Radio in accordance with the Company's business
plan or that sufficient quantities of radio cards, S-band radios and miniature
satellite dish antennas will be available to meet anticipated consumer demand.
The failure to have one or more consumer electronics manufacturers develop these
products for commercial sale in a timely manner, at an affordable price and with
mass market nationwide distribution would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business. In addition, the FCC, in its order granting the FCC License,
conditioned the Company's license on certification by the Company that its final
receiver design is interoperable with respect to the final receiver design of
the other licensee, which has proposed to use a significantly different
transmission technology from that of the Company. The Company believes that it
can design an interoperable receiver, but there can be no assurance that this
effort will be successful or result in a commercially feasible receiver. See
'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery System,' 'Business -- Marketing Strategy,'
and 'Business -- Technology and Patents.'
 
NEED TO OBTAIN RIGHTS TO PROGRAMMING
 
     In connection with its music programming, the Company will be required to
negotiate and enter into royalty arrangements with performing rights societies,
such as The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers ('ASCAP'),
Broadcast Music, Inc. ('BMI') and SESAC, Inc. ('SESAC'). These organizations
collect royalties and distribute them to songwriters and music publishers.
Copyright users negotiate a fee with these organizations based on a percentage
of advertising and/or subscription revenues. Broadcasters currently pay a
combined total of approximately 3% of their revenues to the performing rights
societies. The Company also will be required to negotiate similar arrangements,
pursuant to the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 (the
'Digital Recording Act'), with the owners of the sound recordings. The
determination of certain royalty arrangements with the owners of sound
recordings under the Digital Recordings Act currently are subject to arbitration
proceedings. The Company believes that it will be able to negotiate royalty
arrangements with these organizations and the owners of sound recordings, but
there can be no assurance as to the terms of any such royalty arrangements
ultimately negotiated or established by arbitration.
 
DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
 
     The Company has not yet commenced CD Radio broadcasts. The Company expects
to experience significant and rapid growth in the scope and complexity of its
business as it proceeds with the development of its satellite radio system and
the commencement of CD Radio. Currently, the Company has only ten employees and
does not have sufficient staff to program its broadcast service, manage
operations, control the operation of its satellites, handle sales and marketing
efforts or perform finance and accounting functions. Although the Company has
recently retained experienced executives in several of these areas, the Company
will be required to hire a broad range of additional personnel before its
planned service begins commercial operations. Growth, including the creation of
a
 
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management infrastructure and staffing, is likely to place a substantial strain
on the Company's management and operational resources. The failure to develop
and implement effective systems or to hire and train sufficient personnel for
the performance of all of the functions necessary to the effective provision of
its service and management of its subscriber base and business, and the failure
to manage growth effectively, would have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
CONTINUING OVERSIGHT BY THE FCC
 
     In order to offer CD Radio, the Company was required to obtain a license
from the FCC to launch and operate its satellites. The Company was a winning
bidder in the April 1997 FCC auction for an FCC license to build, launch and
operate a national satellite radio broadcast service (the 'FCC License'), and
the FCC's International Bureau issued such a license to the Company on October
10, 1997 (the 'IB Order'). Although the FCC License is effective immediately,
for a period of 30 days following the grant of the FCC License certain parties
could petition either the International Bureau or the full FCC to reconsider the
decision to grant the FCC License to the Company. An application for review by
the full Commission was filed by one of the low-bidding applicants in the
auction. This petition requests, among other things, that the Commission adopt
restrictions on foreign ownership, which were not applied in the IB Order, and,
on the basis of the Company's ownership, overrule the IB Order. If this petition
is denied, the complaining party may file an appeal with the U.S. Court of
Appeals, which must find that the decision of the FCC was not supported by
substantial evidence, or was arbitrary, capricious or unlawful in order to
overturn the grant of the Company's FCC License. Although the Company believes
the FCC will uphold the IB Order, the Company cannot predict the ultimate
outcome of any proceeding's relating to this petition or any other proceedings
that may be filed. See 'Business -- Government Regulation -- Communications
Laws.'
 
     In order to ensure compliance with the transfer of control rule
restrictions contained in the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the
'Communications Act'), any future assignments or transfers of control of the
Company's license must be approved by the FCC. There can be no assurance that
the FCC would approve any such transfer or assignment.
 
     The term of the FCC License with respect to each satellite is eight years,
commencing from the date each satellite is declared operational after having
been inserted into orbit. Upon the expiration of the term with respect to each
satellite, the Company will be required to apply for a renewal of the relevant
license. Although the Company believes that the FCC will grant such renewals
absent significant misconduct on the part of the Company, there can be no
assurance that such renewals in fact will be obtained.
 
     The CD Radio system is designed to permit CD Radio to be received by
motorists in all outdoor locations where the vehicle has an unobstructed
line-of-sight with one of the Company's satellites. However, in certain areas
with high concentrations of tall buildings, such as urban cores, or in tunnels,
signals from both satellites will be blocked and reception will be adversely
affected. Therefore, the Company plans to install terrestrial repeating
transmitters to rebroadcast CD Radio in certain areas. The FCC has not yet
established rules governing the application procedure for obtaining
authorizations to construct and operate terrestrial repeating transmitters. The
Company cannot predict the outcome of this process. In addition, in connection
with the installation and operation of the terrestrial repeating transmitters,
the Company will need to obtain the rights to use the roofs of certain
structures where the repeating transmitters will be installed. There can be no
assurance that the Company can obtain such roof rights on acceptable terms or in
appropriate locations for the operation of CD Radio. Also, the FCC Licensing
Rules (as defined herein) require that the Company complete frequency
coordination with Canada and Mexico. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to coordinate use of this spectrum or will be able to do so in a
timely manner.
 
     Changes in law, FCC regulations or international agreements relating to
communications policy generally or to matters relating specifically to the
services to be offered by the Company could affect the Company's ability to
retain the FCC License and obtain or retain other approvals required to provide
CD Radio or the manner in which CD Radio would be offered or regulated. See
'Business -- Government Regulation.'
 
                                       21
 

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     The IB Order determined that as a private carrier, the Company would not be
subject to the current provisions of the Communications Act restricting
ownership in the Company by non-U.S. private citizens or organizations. The
Executive Branch of the U.S. government has expressed interest in changing this
policy, which could lead to restrictions on foreign ownership of the Company's
shares in the future. The IB Order stated that its finding that the Company is
not subject to the foreign ownership restrictions of the Communications Act is
subject to being revisited in a future proceeding. The pending application for
review of the IB Order brings the question of foreign ownership restrictions
before the full FCC.
 
     The FCC has indicated that it may in the future impose public service
obligations, such as channel set-asides for educational programming, on
satellite radio licensees. The Company cannot predict whether the FCC will
impose public service obligations or the impact that any such obligations, if
imposed, would have on the Company.
 
     The Trustee under the Indenture may not exercise any rights with respect to
the Pledged Stock upon the occurrence of an Event of Default if such action
would constitute or result in any assignment of the FCC License or any change of
control (whether de jure or de facto) of the Company unless the prior approval
of the FCC is first obtained. There can be no assurance that any such required
FCC approval can be obtained on a timely basis, or at all.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The Company is highly dependent on the services of David Margolese,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for the Company's
operations and strategic planning. The loss of the services of Mr. Margolese
could have a material adverse effect upon the business and prospects of the
Company. See 'Business -- Government Regulation' and 'Management.'
 
APPLICATION OF EXPORT CONTROL REGULATIONS
 
     Shipment of the Company's satellites to territory outside the United States
is subject to U.S. export control regulation. Because Arianespace, the Company's
satellite launch vendor, intends to launch the Company's satellites from an
Arianespace launch facility in French Guiana, a department of France, export
licenses will be required under U.S. export control regulations. There can be no
assurance, however, that the required export licenses will be obtained.
 
RISK OF SIGNAL THEFT
 
     The CD Radio signal, like all broadcasts, is subject to the risk of piracy.
Although the Company plans to use encryption technology to mitigate signal
theft, the Company does not believe that any such technology is infallible.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that theft of the CD Radio signal will
not occur. Signal theft, if widespread, could have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company will be seeking market acceptance of its proposed service in a
new, untested market and will compete with established conventional radio
stations, which do not charge subscription fees or require the purchase of radio
cards or S-band radios and associated miniature satellite dish antennas to
receive their services. Many radio stations also offer information programming
of a local nature such as local news or traffic reports which the Company will
be unable to offer. In addition, the Company expects that, prior to the
commercial launch of CD Radio, some traditional FM radio broadcasting stations
will begin to transmit digital, compact disc quality signals. The Company also
expects to compete directly with American Mobile Radio Corporation ('AMRC'), a
subsidiary of American Mobile Satellite Corporation ('AMSC'), which is the
holder of the other FCC License. AMSC, which is owned in part by the Hughes
Electronics Corporation subsidiary of General Motors Corporation, has financial,
management and technical resources that greatly exceed those of the Company. See
'Business -- Competition.' In addition, the FCC could grant new licenses which
would enable further competition to broadcast satellite radio. Finally, there
are many portions of the electromagnetic spectrum that are currently licensed
for other uses and certain other portions for which licenses have been granted
by the FCC without restriction as to use, and there can be no assurance that
these
 
                                       22
 

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portions of the spectrum could not be utilized for satellite radio broadcasting
in the future. Although any such licensees would face cost and competition
barriers, there can be no assurance that there will not be an increase in the
number of competitors in the satellite radio industry or any assurance that one
or more competitors will not design a satellite radio broadcast system that is
superior to the Company's system, either of which events could have a material
adverse effect on the Company. See 'Business -- Competition.'
 
UNCERTAIN PATENT PROTECTION
 
     The Company has been granted certain U.S. patents covering various features
of satellite radio technology including, among other features, signal diversity
and memory reception. There can be no certainty that the Company's system or
products will be covered by the Company's patents. If the Company's system or
products are not covered by the Company's patents, others may duplicate the
Company's system or products without liability to the Company. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the Company's U.S. patents will not be
challenged, invalidated or circumvented by others. Litigation, which could
result in substantial cost to the Company, may be necessary to enforce the
Company's patents or may occur to determine the scope and validity of other
parties' proprietary rights, and there can be no assurance of success in any
such litigation. There can be no assurance that there are no patents, or pending
patent applications which will later mature into patents, or inventions
developed earlier which will later mature into patents, of others which may
block the Company's ability to operate its system or license its technology. The
earliest of the Company's patents is due to expire, upon payment of all
necessary fees, on April 10, 2012. See 'Business -- Technology and Patents.'
 
RISK OF INABILITY TO SATISFY A CHANGE IN CONTROL OFFER
 
     Upon the occurrence of any change of control (as defined in the Indenture
and the certificate of designations for the Series C Preferred Stock,
respectively), the Company will be required to make a change of control offer
for the Notes and a similar offer to purchase shares of the Series C Preferred
Stock. If such a change of control offer is made, there can be no assurance that
the Company will have available funds sufficient to pay the purchase price for
any or all of the Notes and the Series C Preferred Stock that might be delivered
by holders of the Notes or the Series C Preferred Stock seeking to accept the
change of control offer. The Indenture provides that the Company must purchase
all Notes delivered by holders pursuant to a change of control offer prior to
purchasing any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock. The failure of the
Company to make or consummate the change of control offer or to pay the purchase
price for the Notes when due will give the trustee under the Indenture and the
holders of the Notes the right to require the Company to prepay all of its
outstanding indebtedness and other obligations under the Notes. The failure of
the Company to make or consummate the change of control offer or pay the
purchase price for the Series C Preferred Stock when due will give the holders
of a majority of the Series C Preferred Stock the right, voting as a separate
class, to elect a number of directors of the Company equal to the lesser of two
directors and the number of directors constituting at least 25% of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
 
     In addition, a change in control of the Company could require FCC approval.
See 'Business -- Regulation.'
 
   
SECURITY FOR THE NOTES
    
 
   
     The Company's obligations under the Indenture and the Notes will be secured
by a pledge of the stock of Satellite CD Radio Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company. Satellite CD Radio Inc. conducts no business activities and its
only asset is an FCC License. The Notes are not secured by any lien on, or other
security interest in, any other properties or assets of the Company or Satellite
CD Radio, Inc. In addition, the Indenture permits the Company to incur other
secured indebtedness which indebtedness may be secured on a pari passu basis
with the Notes with respect to the Pledged Stock. There can be no assurance that
the proceeds from the sale of the Pledged Stock will be sufficient to satisfy
the amounts due on the Notes.
    
 
   
     If, upon a foreclosure by the Trustee on the Pledged Stock, the proceeds
from the Pledged Stock is insufficient to satisfy the entire amount due on the
Notes, the claim by the holders of the notes against
    
 
                                       23
 

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<PAGE>
   
the Company for such deficiency would rank pari passu with the claims of the
other general, unsubordinated creditors of the Company. There can be no
assurance that the remaining assets of the Company would be sufficient to
satisfy any such deficiency.
    
 
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
 
     On July 22, 1997, the Company filed an application with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for an order declaring that the Company is not an
'investment company' as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the '1940 Act'). The 1940 Act defines an investment company to
include a company that owns or proposes to acquire 'investment securities' (as
that term is defined in the 1940 Act) exceeding 40% of the value of such
company's assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items).
Because the Company had temporarily invested the proceeds from its recent public
and private offerings in investment securities prior to their expenditure, the
Company could have fallen within the definition of an investment company.
Investment companies must be registered and are subject to extensive regulation
by the Commission under the 1940 Act.
 
     The filing of the application gave the Company an automatic 60-day
exemption (the final day of which was September 19, 1997) from the provisions of
the 1940 Act pending a final determination of the merits of its application.
Because the Commission has not yet acted on the Company's application, the
Company has now invested in U.S. government securities at least that proportion
of its assets as the Company believes will be sufficient to avoid any
determination that it is an 'investment company' within the meaning of the 1940
Act.
 
     If the request relief is ultimately denied, the Company may be required to
register as an investment company or, in the alternative, to invest a
substantial portion of the proceeds from the Offerings in U.S. government
securities, pending expenditure of such proceeds by the Company for its
corporate purposes.
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR UNITS, NOTES OR WARRANTS
 
     Prior to the offering of the Units, there has been no public market for the
Units, Notes or Warrants and the Company does not intend to apply for listing of
the Units, Notes or Warrants on any securities exchange or for quotation of the
Units, Notes or Warrants on the Nasdaq National Market. The Company has been
advised by the Underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the
Units, Notes and Warrants, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations,
after consummation of the sale of the Units. The Underwriters are not obligated,
however, to make a market in the Units, Notes or Warrants and any such market
making activity may be discontinued at any time without notice at the sole
discretion of each Underwriter. There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of
the public market for the Units, Notes or Warrants or that an active public
market for the Units, Notes or Warrants will develop. If an active public market
does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the Units, Notes or Warrants
may be adversely affected. See 'Underwriting.'
 
     Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to
disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities
similar to the Notes. There can be no assurances that any market for the Notes
will not be subject to similar disruptions.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
     The Notes will be issued at a substantial discount from their principal
amount at maturity. Consequently, United States holders of the Notes generally
will be required to include amounts in gross income for United States federal
income tax purposes in advance of receipt of the cash payments to which such
income is attributable. If the Notes are treated as 'applicable high yield
discount obligations,' the Company's deductions with respect to the original
issue discount on the Notes will be either deferred until the Company makes the
related payments or possibly, in part, disallowed. See 'Certain United States
Income Tax Considerations' for a more detailed discussion of the United States
federal income tax consequences to United States holders of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the Notes and of the possible deferral or
disallowance (in part) of original issue discount deductions to the Company.
 
                                       24
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     If a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against the Company under the
United States Bankruptcy Code after the issuance of the Notes, the claim of a
holder of Notes may be limited to an amount equal to the sum of (i) the initial
public offering price for the Notes and (ii) that portion of the original issue
discount that is not deemed to constitute 'unmatured interest' for purposes of
the United States Bankruptcy Code. Any original issue discount that was not
amortized as of the date of the commencement of any such bankruptcy filing would
constitute 'unmatured interest.'
 
NO DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company has not declared or paid any dividends on its Common Stock
since its inception, and does not currently anticipate paying any such
dividends. The AEF Agreements contain and the Indenture will contain provisions
that limit the Company's ability to pay dividends.
 
   
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
    
 
   
     The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to
50,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the 'Preferred Stock') in one or more
series and to determine the price, rights, preferences and privileges of those
shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. Of that amount,
8,000,000 shares have been designated as 5% Preferred Stock and 7,000,000 shares
of Preferred Stock have been designated Series C Preferred Stock. In the
Exchange Offer, all of the outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock were
tendered for 1,846,799 shares of Series C Preferred Stock (which shares of
Series C Preferred Stock will constitute all of the issued and outstanding
shares of preferred stock of the Company). In addition, the Company has adopted
a stockholders rights plan and in connection with the stockholders rights plan,
300,000 shares of Preferred Stock have been designated Series B Preferred Stock.
Any issuance of Preferred Stock, including Preferred Stock with voting and
conversion rights, as well as the Series C Preferred Stock which are convertible
into shares of Common Stock, may adversely affect the voting power of the
holders of Common Stock. The stockholders rights plan and any issuance of
Preferred Stock may be deemed to have anti-takeover effects and may delay, deter
or prevent a change in control of the Company that a stockholder might consider
to be in his or her best interest. The Company may also become subject to the
anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The effect of these provisions could have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change of control of the Company or adversely affect the market price of the
Company's Common Stock. Furthermore, the severance provisions of employment
agreements with certain members of the Company's management provide for payments
that could discourage an attempted change in control of the Company.
    
 
     Any change in the composition of the Company's ownership after Arianespace
Finance S.A. ('AEF') has determined that the Tranche A Loans are eligible for
Conversion (as defined below), which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the AEF Agreements), would constitute a
default under the AEF Agreements. Therefore, upon the occurrence of such change
in the Company's ownership, AEF would have the right to accelerate its loans to
the Company and the Company may be required to prepay all of its outstanding
obligations under the AEF Agreements. See 'Description of Certain
Indebtedness -- Vendor Financing.' There can be no assurance that the Company
will satisfy the conditions for Conversion. However, any other financing
obtained by the Company to repay or refinance the Tranche A Loans likely would
contain restrictions on significant changes in the Company's stock ownership.
 
     Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture),
or a Change in Control (as defined in the Series C Preferred Stock certificate
of designations), the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase the
Notes, after issuance thereof, and the Series C Preferred Stock. If such an
offer is made, there can be no assurance that the Company will have available
funds sufficient to pay the purchase price for any or all of the Notes and the
Series C Preferred Stock that might be delivered by holders of the Notes or the
Series C Preferred Stock seeking to accept the offer. After the issuance of the
Notes the failure of the Company to make or consummate the Change of Control
offer or to pay the purchase price for the Notes when due will give the trustee
under the Indenture and the holders of the Notes the right to require the
Company to prepay all of its outstanding indebtedness and other obligations
under the Notes. The failure of the Company to make or consummate the offer to
purchase or pay the purchase price for the Series C Preferred Stock when due
 
                                       25
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
will give the holders of a majority of the Series C Preferred Stock the right,
voting as a separate class, to elect a number of directors of the Company equal
to the lesser of two directors and the number of directors constituting at least
25% of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     In addition, a change in control of the Company could require FCC approval.
See 'Business -- Regulation.'
 
CONTROL BY EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The executive officers and directors of the Company currently beneficially
own, or have voting power with respect to, approximately 42.0% of the
outstanding Common Stock, and upon consummation of the Stock Offerings, such
executive officers and directors are expected to beneficially own, or have
voting power with respect to, approximately 32.7% of the outstanding Common
Stock (assuming none of the executive officers, directors, any grantor under a
voting trust granting voting power over shares of Common Stock purchased by such
grantor or such grantor's affiliates to any such executive or director, or such
grantor's affiliates purchases any shares of Common Stock in the Stock
Offerings). This concentration of ownership will enable such stockholders,
either acting alone or together with other existing stockholders, to exert
considerable influence over the management and policies of the Company. Such a
concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control.
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon the consummation of the Stock Offerings, the Company will have
15,377,884 shares of Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of (i) the
Underwriters' over-allotment option, (ii) outstanding options. Of these shares,
9,695,896 shares will be freely tradeable without restriction under the
Securities Act unless such shares are purchased in the Stock Offerings by
'affiliates' of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act (the 'Affiliates'). Of the remaining 6,381,988 shares of Common
Stock, 3,547,488 shares are 'restricted securities' as that term is defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act (the 'Restricted Shares'). Restricted Shares
may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an
exemption from registration under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 promulgated under the
Securities Act. Up to 1,642,000 of the Restricted Shares held by the directors
and certain officers of the Company will be eligible for sale, subject to the
restrictions of Rule 144, upon expiration of certain lock-up agreements entered
into between each of such directors and officers of the Company and the
underwriters of the Stock Offering (the 'Lock-up Agreements'), which shall
expire, with respect to a Lock-up Agreement concerning 1,600,000 of such shares,
on a cumulative basis as to 25% of such 1,600,000 shares at the expiration of
each of the 15th, 18th, 21st and 24th month following August 26, 1997, and, with
respect to Lock-up Agreements concerning the remaining 42,000 shares, 180 days
after the effective date of the Stock Offerings. The remaining 1,905,488
Restricted Shares will not become eligible for resale until August 1998, and
then only pursuant to the restrictions under Rule 144. In addition, the
Company's largest stockholder has entered into a lock-up agreement relating to
2,834,500 shares lasting for a period ending, on a cumulative basis, as to 25%
of the shares of Common Stock owned by such holder, on the expiration of the
15th, 18th, 21st and 24th month following August 26, 1997. As such shares become
free of such lock-up, they will be eligible for sale without restriction.
 
     The Company is unable to predict the effect that sales made under Rule 144,
pursuant to future registration statements, or otherwise, may have on any then
prevailing market price for shares of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales of a
substantial amount of Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that
such sales could occur, could adversely affect market prices.
 
                                       26


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
     The net proceeds to the Company from the Units Offering are estimated to be
approximately $118.9 million after deducting estimated underwriting discounts
and estimated expenses relating thereto. Concurrently with the sale of the
Units, the Company intends to complete the Stock Offerings and, prior thereto,
consummate the Exchange Offer. The net proceeds to the Company from the Stock
Offerings are estimated to be approximately $45.6 million ($52.5 million if the
related underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) after
deducting estimated underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of the Stock
Offerings. The Company will receive no proceeds from the Exchange Offer.
    
 
     The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the Offerings to partially
finance the construction and launch of the Company's satellites. The remainder
of the net proceeds of the Offerings will be used for general corporate
purposes, including marketing and working capital.
 
   
     The Company estimates that it will require approximately $645.9 million to
develop and commence commercial operation of CD Radio by the end of 1999. Of
this amount, the Company has raised approximately $266.6 million to date. After
giving effect to the Offerings, the Company will have raised $442.0 million of
funds, leaving anticipated additional cash needs of approximately $203.9 million
to fund its operations through 1999. The Company anticipates additional cash
requirements of approximately $100.0 million to fund its operations through the
year 2000. The Company expects to finance the remainder of its funding
requirements through the issuance of debt or equity securities or a combination
thereof. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's cash
requirements will not increase or that such funds will be sufficient. In
addition, although the Company's business plan is based upon the deployment of
two satellites and the construction of a third spare satellite, it has the right
to exercise an option under the Loral Satellite Contract to acquire an
additional satellite. If the Company elects to exercise this option, substantial
additional funds would be required and the Company would have to obtain
additional regulatory approvals. Deployment of an additional satellite also
could result in a delay in the introduction of CD Radio. Any decision to deploy
a three satellite system would have to be made prior to the launch of the
Company's first satellite. The Company intends to seek additional financing
through the issuance of debt or equity securities in the public or private
markets. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all, or that such
financing will be available in a timely manner. See 'Risk Factors -- Need for
Substantial Additional Financing.'
    
 
SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS BY CD RADIO
 
     The following table describes the estimated sources and uses of funds by
the Company from its inception through the end of 1999 when CD Radio is targeted
to commence commercial operations. The projection of total sources and total
uses of funds is forward looking and could vary, perhaps substantially, from
actual results, due to events outside the Company's control, including
unexpected costs and unforeseen delays.
 
                                       27
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                           PRE-OPERATIONAL PERIOD(1)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             SOURCES OF FUNDS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>
                                                                                             (IN MILLIONS)
                                                                                             -------------
Funds Committed to Date:
     Net proceeds from equity investments prior to the FCC auction(2)....................       $  21.6
     Net proceeds from issuance of 5% Preferred Stock(3).................................         120.5
     Net proceeds from sale of Common Stock to Loral Space(4)............................          24.5
     Vendor financing(5).................................................................         100.0
                                                                                             -------------
          Total to Date..................................................................         266.6
Gross proceeds of the Offerings..........................................................         175.4
                                                                                             -------------
Pro forma funds to date..................................................................         442.0
Net future funds(6)......................................................................         203.9
                                                                                             -------------
          Total pre-operational sources..................................................       $ 645.9
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              USES OF FUNDS
<S>                                                                                          <C>
CD Radio system:
     Satellite contract(7)...............................................................       $ 246.8
     Launch services and insurance(8)....................................................         191.1
     Ground segment(9)...................................................................          47.3
                                                                                             -------------
          Subtotal.......................................................................         485.2
FCC License..............................................................................          83.3
Operating expenses and working capital(10)...............................................          60.6
Net cash interest expense(11)............................................................           2.2
Estimated fees and expenses of the Offerings, Exchange Offer.............................          14.6
          Total pre-operational uses.....................................................        $645.9
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
   
 (1) Assumes that CD Radio will commence commercial operations in December 1999.
     The Company anticipates that it will require total net future funds of
     $203.9 million following the Offerings to finance additional expenses
     through 1999. The Company anticipates additional funding requirements of
     $100.0 million to fund its operations through year end 2000. Many factors,
     including the Company's ability to generate significant revenues, could
     affect this estimate. See 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's Discussion and
     Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.'
    
 
 (2) Includes (i) proceeds from sales of Common Stock and units of $14.5
     million, (ii) proceeds from exercise of warrants of $4.6 million, (iii)
     proceeds from exercise of options of $0.2 million, (iv) issuance of Common
     Stock in satisfaction of notes and interest of $1.4 million and (v)
     issuance of Common Stock for services rendered of $0.9 million.
 
 (3) In April 1997, the Company issued a total of 5,400,000 shares of 5%
     Preferred Stock for aggregate consideration of $135 million in a private
     placement transaction. The net proceeds to the Company after fees payable
     to the placement agent and the Company's financial advisor and related
     expenses were approximately $120.5 million.
 
 (4) On August 5, 1997, the Company completed the sale of 1,905,488 shares of
     Common Stock to Loral Space for aggregate consideration of $25 million,
     less fees of $0.5 million.
 
   
 (5) The Company has available up to $105 million under the AEF Vendor Financing
     to finance a portion of the costs of launching two satellites (and can also
     defer certain interest payments thereon), and $20 million of deferred
     payments under the Loral Satellite Contract. Under the AEF Agreements not
     more than $80 million may be converted into term loans that mature beyond
     the launch date of the satellites. The Company may be unable to comply with
     certain conditions of conversion or to comply with the covenants of term
     loans if converted, in which case the Company will need to refinance the
     amounts outstanding under the AEF Agreements. See 'Management's Discussion
     and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity'
     and 'Description of Certain Indebtedness -- Vendor Financing.'
    
 
 (6) The Company currently expects to satisfy its future funding requirements
     through the incurrence of additional debt and/or the issuance of additional
     equity securities in the public or private markets. Although the Company
     believes that it will be able to meet its additional funding requirements,
     there can be no assurance that such financing will be available on
     favorable terms, on a timely basis, or not at all. Among other things, any
     financing is subject to market conditions at the time of any proposed
     financing. See 'Risk Factors -- Need for Substantial Additional Financing'
     and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
     Results of Operations.'
 
                                              (footnotes continued on next page)
 
                                       28
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(footnotes continued from previous page)
 
 (7) As of September 30, 1997, the Company had incurred $31.1 million of this
     amount. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence upon Satellite and Launch
     Contractors.' The amount shown excludes $29.8 million related to the
     purchase of the Company's ground spare (third) satellite which is payable
     subsequent to December 31, 1999. The total contract amount of $277.1
     million assumes a one-time inflation adjustment (estimated by Loral to be
     2%) for the period November 1996 to September 1997.
 
 (8) Includes $176 million for launch services and an estimated $15.1 million
     for insurance. As of September 30, 1997, the Company had incurred $3.5
     million of the launch services amount. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on
     Satellite and Launch Contractors' and 'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery
     System -- The Satellites.'
 
 (9) Includes an estimated $6.7 million for the National Broadcast Studies,
     $38.2 million for terrestrial repeaters and $2.4 million for corporate
     office capital expenditures.
 
(10) Includes cumulative historical operating expenses through September 30,
     1997 of $23.1 million, and projected operating expenses from October 1,
     1997 through the end of the pre-operational period of $39.8 million.
 
(11) Includes estimated cash interest expense of $17.1 million, less cash
     interest income of $14.9 million, based on assumed interest rates, cash
     balances, borrowing levels and the timing, amount and structure of future
     financings.
   
    
 
                                       29
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
     The following table sets forth the cash and capitalization of the Company
as of September 30, 1997 (i) on an historical basis; (ii) as adjusted for
payment by the Company of the balance due to the FCC for the FCC License in
October 1997 and the Exchange Offer (effective November 20, 1997, all of the
outstanding shares of the 5% Preferred Stock had been exchanged for shares of
Series C Preferred Stock) after deducting Dealer Manager fees and other
estimated expenses; and (iii) as adjusted for the estimated net proceeds from
the sale of 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Offerings (at
the offering price of $18 per share, and after deducting the underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses) and the sale of Units
for net proceeds of $118.9 million pursuant to the Units Offering.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                     --------------------------------------------
                                                                                     AS ADJUSTED      AS FURTHER
                                                                                       FOR THE       ADJUSTED FOR
                                                                                       EXCHANGE          THE
                                                                        ACTUAL          OFFER         OFFERINGS
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.........................................     $ 29,386        $ 25,393       $  189,909
Designated cash(1)................................................       66,667          --              --
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
Total cash and cash equivalents...................................     $ 96,053        $ 25,393       $  189,909
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
15% Senior Discount Notes(2)......................................     $ --            $ --           $  118,900
5% Delayed Convertible Preferred Stock, 5,222,608 shares issued
  and outstanding, actual(3)......................................      116,083          --              --
10 1/2% Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value,
  1,846,799 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted and as
  further adjusted(4).............................................       --             184,632          184,632
Common Stock, $.001 par value; 12,577,884 shares issued and
  outstanding, actual and as adjusted; and 15,377,884 shares
  issued and outstanding, as further adjusted(5)..................           13              13               15
Additional paid in capital........................................      104,252          48,259           93,873
Deficit accumulated during the development stage..................      (72,000)        (88,549)         (88,549)
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
     Total capitalization(6)......................................     $148,348        $144,355       $  308,871
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                     ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Represents proceeds of the offering of the 5% Preferred Stock which have
    been classified as designated cash reflecting the balance due to the FCC for
    the Company's FCC License. The Company paid this amount to the FCC in
    October 1997.
 
   
(2) In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles the Company will
    recognize approximately $38.7 million of interest expense over the life of
    the Notes related to the Warrants, which amount will be added to the
    principal amount of the Notes.
    
 
(3) All capitalization excludes warrants issuable by the Company as of September
    30, 1997 to purchase 486,000 shares of 5% Preferred Stock.
 
(4) Assumes no redemption of Series C Preferred Stock after consummation of the
    Exchange Offer.
 
(5) All capitalization excludes: (i) options outstanding as of September 30,
    1997 to purchase 2,013,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 1,652,000 shares
    are subject to currently exercisable options, and (ii) warrants issuable as
    of September 30, 1997 to purchase 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
(6) Total capitalization does not include any amount for the AEF Agreements (as
    defined herein).
 
                                       30
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                   SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The selected consolidated financial data for the Company set forth below
with respect to the statements of operations for the years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996 and with respect to the balance sheets at December 31, 1995
and 1996 are derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company,
audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, incorporated
herein by reference. The selected consolidated financial data for the Company
with respect to the balance sheets at December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 and with
respect to the statement of operations data for the years ended December 31,
1992 and 1993, are derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements, which are not incorporated herein by reference. The financial
information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 is derived
from unaudited consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by
reference. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial
statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals,
that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results
of operations for these periods. The selected consolidated financial data should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes thereto incorporated herein by reference.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                               FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                      --------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------
                       1992      1993       1994       1995       1996            1996                 1997
                      -------   -------   --------   --------   --------   -------------------  -------------------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                   <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>                  <C>
STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating
  revenues..........  $    --   $    --   $     --   $     --   $     --        $      --            $      --
Net loss............   (1,551)   (6,568)    (4,065)    (2,107)    (2,831)          (1,871)              (1,489)
Net loss per share
  of Common Stock...     (.23)     (.79)      (.48)      (.23)      (.29)            (.20)           $   (4.97)(1)
Weighted average
  shares of Common
  Stock and Common
  Stock equivalents
  outstanding.......    6,715     8,284      8,398      9,224      9,642            9,441               10,760
Deemed dividend on
  5% Preferred
  Stock.............       --        --         --         --         --               --            $ (51,975)
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                      AS OF DECEMBER 31,                             AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
                      --------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------
                       1992      1993       1994       1995       1996            1996                 1997
                      -------   -------   --------   --------   --------   -------------------  -------------------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                   <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>                  <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA
  (AT END OF
  PERIOD):
Cash and cash
  equivalents.......  $ 1,883   $   777   $  3,400   $  1,800   $  4,584        $   4,942            $  29,386
Designated
  cash(2)...........       --        --         --         --         --               --               66,677
Working capital
  (deficit).........    1,399      (250)     2,908      1,741      4,442            5,040               29,871
Total assets........    2,292     1,663      3,971      2,334      5,065            5,934              148,430
Deficit accumulated
  during the
  development
  stage.............   (2,965)   (9,533)   (13,598)   (15,705)   (18,536)         (17,577)             (72,000)
Stockholders'
  equity............    1,791       505      3,431      1,991      4,898            5,460               32,265
Book value per
  share.............                                                 .48                                  2.57
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Includes a deemed dividend on the Company's 5% Preferred Stock of $52.0
    million, or $4.83 per share. The deemed dividend relates to the discount
    feature associated with the 5% Preferred Stock, computed in accordance with
    the Commission's position on accounting for preferred stock which is
    convertible at a discount to the market price.
 
(2) Represents proceeds of the offering of the 5% Preferred Stock which were
    classified as designated cash reflecting the balance due to the FCC for the
    Company's FCC License. The Company paid this amount to the FCC in October
    1997.
 
                                       31


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. Actual results and the timing of certain
events could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth under 'Risk
Factors' and elsewhere in this Prospectus. See 'Special Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements.'
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company was organized in May 1990 and is in its development stage. The
Company's principal activities to date have included technology development,
pursuing regulatory approval for CD Radio, market research, design, development,
contract negotiations with satellite and launch vehicle contractors, technical
efforts with respect to standards and specifications, strategic planning and
securing adequate financing for working capital and capital expenditures. The
Company does not expect to derive any revenues from operations prior to the
commercial launch of CD Radio, which is expected to occur no earlier than the
end of 1999. The Company has incurred substantial losses to date and expects to
incur substantial losses until at least a year after the commercial launch of CD
Radio. In addition, the Company will require substantial additional capital to
complete development and commence commercial operations of CD Radio. There can
be no assurance that CD Radio will ever commence operations, that the Company
will attain any particular level of revenues or that the Company will achieve
profitability.
 
     Upon commencing commercial operations, the Company expects its primary
source of revenues to be monthly subscription fees. The Company currently
anticipates that its subscription fee will be approximately $10 per month to
receive CD Radio broadcasts, with a one time, modest activation fee per
subscriber. To receive CD Radio, subscribers will need to purchase a radio card
or S-band radio together with the associated miniature satellite dish antenna.
The Company does not intend to manufacture these products and thus will not
receive any revenues from their sale. Although the Company holds patents
covering various features of its satellite broadcasting system, which system
includes, among other features, certain technology to be used in the radio
cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite dish antennas, the Company expects
to license its technology to manufacturers at no charge. As the number of
subscribers to CD Radio increases, the Company also may derive revenues from
payments from producers of sports, news and talk programming for providing
national distribution of their programming to subscribers.
 
     The Company expects that the operating expenses associated with commercial
operations will consist primarily of costs to acquire programming; costs to
maintain and operate its satellite broadcasting system and National Broadcasting
Studio; and sales, general and administrative costs. Costs to acquire
programming are expected to include payments to build and maintain an extensive
music library and royalty payments for broadcasting music (calculated based on a
percentage of revenues). Sales, general and administrative costs are expected to
consist primarily of advertising costs, salaries of executives, studio
personnel, program hosts, administrators, technical staff, rent and other
administrative expenses. The Company expects that the number of its employees
will increase from 11 to approximately 100 by the time it commences commercial
operations.
 
     In addition to funding initial operating losses, the Company will require
funds for working capital, interest and financing costs on borrowings and
capital expenditures. The Company's interest expense will increase significantly
as a result of its financing plan. However, a substantial portion of its planned
indebtedness will not require cash payments of interest and principal for some
time.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED WITH NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1996
 
     The Company recorded net losses of $1,489,000 and $1,872,000 for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $654,000 and
$667,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Company's total operating expenses were $4,357,000
 
                                       32
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
and $1,921,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, and were $2,230,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1997
compared to $682,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1996.
 
     Legal, consulting and regulatory fees increased for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 to $2,603,000 from $979,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, and increased to $1,357,000 from $372,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. These levels of
expenditures are the result of increased activity since winning an auction for a
national satellite radio broadcast license conducted by the FCC in April 1997.
 
     Research and development costs were $43,000 and $77,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $8,000 and $24,000 for the
three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company
completed the majority of such activities in 1994.
 
     Other general and administrative expenses increased for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 to $1,711,000 from $866,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and to $865,000 from $285,000 for the three months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. General and administrative expenses
are expected to continue to increase as the Company continues to develop its
business. The Company also incurred a non-cash charge of $240,000 for the nine
month period ended September 30, 1996, attributable to the recognition of
compensation expense in connection with stock options issued to officers of the
Company.
 
     The increase in interest income to $2,873,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997, from $62,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
to $1,575,000 from $17,000 for the three months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996, respectively, was the result of a higher average cash balance during 1997.
The cash and cash equivalents on hand were primarily obtained from the 5%
Preferred Stock Offering and the sale of Common Stock to Loral Space in 1997.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     The Company recorded net losses of $2,831,000 ($.29 per share) and
$2,107,000 ($.23 per share) for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The Company's total operating expenses were $2,930,000 in 1996
compared to $2,230,000 in 1995.
 
     Legal, consulting and regulatory fees increased in 1996 to $1,582,000 from
$1,046,000 in 1995, as the result of increased efforts to obtain the FCC
License.
 
     Research and development costs were $117,000 in 1996, compared with
$122,000 in 1995. Non-recurring costs associated with the design and development
of the CD Radio demonstration system were substantially completed in 1993. Costs
incurred in subsequent years relate to the operations of the demonstration
system, including leasing satellite time, taking transmission measurements, and
testing multipath fading.
 
     Other general and administrative expenses increased in 1996 to $1,231,000
from $1,062,000 in 1995. The increase is due to the Company requiring general
administrative support for the effort to obtain the FCC License.
 
     Interest income decreased to $113,000 in 1996 from $143,000 in 1995 as a
result of the Company having a higher average cash balance in 1995. Proceeds
relating to the exercise of stock warrants were not received until late 1996
and, therefore, did not generate a significant amount of interest income.
Interest expense decreased from $20,000 in 1995 to $13,000 in 1996 as a result
of the Company repaying a promissory note due to an officer of the Company in
1996.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     The Company recorded net loss of $2,107,000 ($.23 per share) and $4,065,000
($.48 per share) for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
The Company's total operating expenses were $2,230,000 in 1995 compared to
$4,076,000 in 1994.
 
                                       33
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Legal, consulting and regulatory fees decreased from $1,245,000 in 1994 to
$1,046,000 in 1995 as the Company continued to reduce costs while awaiting
action by the FCC on the Company's application for an FCC License.
 
     Other general and administrative expenses also decreased from $2,455,000 in
1994 to $1,062,000 in 1995 reflecting a reduction of costs such as payroll, rent
and compensation expense in connection with issuance of stock options.
 
     The Company completed the majority of the research and development
necessary for product development prior to FCC licensing by 1994 which was
reflected in the decrease of research and development costs from $375,000 in
1994 to $122,000 in 1995.
 
     The increase in interest income from $51,000 in 1994 to $143,000 in 1995
was the result of a higher average cash balance in 1995. The cash and cash
equivalents on hand were originally obtained from the Company's initial public
offering in September 1994, which raised $4.8 million.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     At September 30, 1997, the Company had working capital of approximately
$29,870,000 compared to $4,442,000 at December 31, 1996. The increase in working
capital was primarily the result of remaining cash proceeds from the offering of
5% Preferred Stock and the sale of Common Stock to Loral Space in 1997.
 
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
 
   
     The Company is a development stage company and as such will require
substantial amounts of continued outside financing to acquire and develop its
assets and commence commercial operations. The Company estimates that it will
require approximately $645.9 million to develop and commence commercial
operation of CD Radio by the end of 1999. Of this amount, the Company has raised
approximately $266.6 million to date. After giving effect to the Offerings, the
Company will have raised approximately $442.0 million, leaving anticipated
additional cash needs of approximately $203.9 million to fund its operations
through 1999. The Company anticipates additional cash requirements of
approximately $100.0 million to fund its operations through the year 2000. The
Company expects to finance the remainder of its funding requirements through the
issuance of debt or equity securities or a combination thereof. Furthermore, if
the Company were to exercise its option under the Loral Satellite Contract to
purchase and deploy an additional satellite, substantial additional funds would
be required. See 'Use of Proceeds.'
    
 
     In April 1997, the Company was the winning bidder in an FCC auction for one
of two national satellite broadcast licenses with a winning bid of $83.3
million, of which $16.7 million was paid as a deposit. The Company paid the
balance due the FCC in October 1997 and was awarded the FCC License on October
10, 1997.
 
     To build and launch the satellites necessary for the operations of CD
Radio, the Company has entered into the Loral Satellite Contract and the
Arianespace Launch Contract. The Loral Satellite Contract provides for Loral to
construct for the Company three satellites, two of which the Company intends to
launch and the third of which will be kept in reserve as a spare, and for an
option to be granted to the Company to purchase a fourth satellite. Under the
Arianespace Launch Contract, Arianespace has agreed to launch two of the
Company's satellites into orbit. See 'Business -- The CD Radio Delivery
System -- The Satellites.' The Company is committed to make aggregate payments
of $277.1 million under the Loral Satellite Contract and of $176.0 million under
the Arianespace Launch Contract. Under the Loral Satellite Contract, with the
exception of a payment made at the time of the signing of the Loral Satellite
Contract in March 1993, payments are to be made in 22 installments commencing in
April 1997 and ending in November 2000, the expected delivery date for the third
satellite. Approximately half of these payments are contingent on Loral meeting
specified milestones in the manufacture of the three satellites. In addition,
Loral has agreed to defer a total of $20.0 million of the contract price, which
is to be paid in four equal installments of $5.0 million commencing November
2001 until March 2003. See ' -- Sources of Funding.' Amounts due under the
Arianespace Launch Contract, except for payments made prior to the execution of
the Arianespace Launch Contract, are
 
                                       34
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
payable on various dates between November 1997 and July 1999 for the first
launch, and, for the second launch, are payable on various dates between
February 1998 and the earlier of October 1999, or ten days prior to the second
launch.
 
     The Company also will require funds for construction of its National
Broadcast Studio, working capital, interest on borrowings, acquisition of
programming, financing costs and operating expenses until some time after the
commencement of commercial operations of CD Radio. The Company's interest
expense will increase significantly as a result of its financing plan; however,
a substantial portion of its planned indebtedness will not require immediate
cash payments. The Notes are not expected to require cash payments until 2003.
Interest on funds borrowed by the Company under the AEF Agreements is deferred
until repayment of such amounts.
 
SOURCES OF FUNDING
 
     The Company historically has funded its operations through equity capital.
As of September 30, 1997, the Company had received a total of $166.6 million in
equity capital and had no outstanding indebtedness. A significant portion of the
Company's equity capital was received in April 1997 as a result of the Company's
issuance of 5,400,000 shares of 5% Preferred Stock for aggregate net proceeds of
$120.5 million in a private placement transaction. These proceeds were used
primarily to finance the payment of the purchase price for the FCC License and
for working capital.
 
     On July 22, 1997, the Company entered into two loan agreements
(collectively the 'AEF Agreements') with Arianespace Finance S.A. ('AEF'), a
subsidiary of Arianespace, to finance approximately $105 million of the
estimated $176 million price of the launch services to be provided by
Arianespace (the 'AEF Vendor Financing'). Under these agreements, the Company is
able to borrow funds to meet the progress payments due to Arianespace for the
construction of each launch vehicle and other launch costs (the 'Tranche A
Loans'). The Company has the opportunity upon satisfying a variety of conditions
specified in the AEF Agreements to extend the term of the Tranche A Loans. If
the term is not extended, or if the Company is unable to comply with the terms
and covenants of such extended loans, the Company will be required to repay the
Tranche A Loans in full, together with accrued interest and all fees and other
amounts due, approximately three months before the applicable launch date, which
will be prior to the time CD Radio commences commercial operations. There can be
no assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds to make such repayment.
 
     The AEF Agreements impose restrictions on the Company's ability to incur
additional indebtedness, make investments or permit liens on certain assets of
the Company, other than liens in favor of AEF. If AEF determines that the
Tranche A Loans are eligible for conversion into term loans, the Company will
also be subject to provisions restricting its ability to change its capital
structure or organizational documents or to merge, consolidate or combine with
another entity. If the Tranche A Loans are converted, the Company's obligations
to AEF will be secured by a lien on specified assets of the Company, including
the satellites and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the FCC License.
In addition, the Indenture permits indebtedness under the AEF Agreements to be
secured on a pari passu basis with the Notes by a first priority security
interest in the Pledged Stock. See 'Description of Certain
Indebtedness -- Vendor Financing.'
 
     Pursuant to a Multiparty Agreement among the Company, AEF and Arianespace
in connection with the AEF Agreements, if the Company is unable to obtain
sufficient financing to complete the construction and launch of the satellites,
or if the Company terminates the Arianespace Launch Contract, the Company will
be required to pay Arianespace a termination fee ranging from 5% to 40% of the
launch services price, based on the proximity of the date of termination to the
scheduled launch date. The termination fee will be payable prior to the time the
Company commences commercial operations and there can be no assurance that the
Company will have sufficient funds to pay this fee.
 
     The Loral Satellite Contract provides for payments to be made in
installments commencing in April 1997 and ending in November 2000, subject to
achievement by Loral of certain milestones in the manufacture of the satellites.
Loral has agreed to defer payment of $20.0 million from two milestone payments
due in June and September of 1998. The deferred amount will be paid in four
installments of $5.0 million, with the first payment to be made 27 months after
the delivery of the first satellite, the
 
                                       35
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
second payment to be made 27 months after delivery of the second satellite, the
third payment to be made 365 days after the first payment date and the fourth
payment to be made 365 days after the second payment date.
 
     In the event of a satellite or launch failure, the Company will be required
to pay Loral the full deferred amount for the affected satellite no later than
120 days after the date of the failure. If the Company should elect to put a
satellite into ground storage, rather than having it shipped to the launch site,
the full deferred amount for the affected satellite will become due within 60
days of such election.
 
   
     As a condition to the deferred payments, the Company has agreed to provide
Loral a security interest in the properties and assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries, of substantially the same nature and quality, and of substantially
equivalent value relative to the amount of the secured obligations, and on the
same terms and covenants, as the Company has provided or may provide to any
other party under any and all of its loan, credit and other similar agreements.
The Stock Pledge constitute such a security interest. The Indenture permits
indebtedness under the Loral Satellite Contract to be secured on a pari passu
basis with the Notes by a first priority security interest in the Pledged Stock.
    
 
   
     After giving effect to the Offerings and the AEF Agreements, the Company
expects it will require at least an additional $203.9 million in financing
through 1999. Thereafter, the Company expects it will require additional
financing. However, there can be no assurance that the Company's actual cash
requirements will not increase. Potential sources of additional financing
include the sale of debt or equity securities in the public or private markets.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional
financing on favorable terms, or at all, or that it will be able to do so in a
timely fashion. The AEF Agreements contain, the indenture will contain and
documents governing any indebtedness incurred in the future are expected to
contain provisions limiting the ability of the Company to incur additional
indebtedness. If additional financing were not available on a timely basis, the
Company would be required to delay satellite and/or launch vehicle construction
in order to conserve cash to fund continued operations, which would cause delays
in the commencement of operations and increased costs. See 'Risk Factors -- Need
for Substantial Additional Funding.'
    
 
     The amount and timing of the Company's actual cash requirements will depend
upon numerous factors, including costs associated with the construction and
deployment of its satellite system and the rate of growth of its business
subsequent to commencing service, costs of financing and the possibility of
unanticipated costs. Additional funds would be required in the event of delay,
cost overruns, launch failure, launch services or satellite system change
orders, or any shortfalls in estimated levels of operating cash flow, or to meet
unanticipated expenses.
 
   
     As a result of the issuance of the Notes and the Warrants and the expected
incurrence of significant additional indebtedness required to meet its capital
requirements, the Company will have substantial indebtedness. The Company's
ability to meet all of its debt service obligations when due may require it to
refinance its then outstanding indebtedness. No assurance can be given that the
Company will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to service its
indebtedness or be able to refinance indebtedness. The AEF Agreements contain,
the Indenture will contain, and debt instruments governing any future
indebtedness of the Company are expected to contain, restrictions on, among
other things, the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness.
    
 
                                       36


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
     This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. Actual results and the timing of certain
events could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth under 'Risk
Factors' and elsewhere in this Prospectus. See 'Special Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements.'
 
GENERAL
 
     CD Radio Inc. was founded in 1990 to pioneer and commercialize a compact
disc quality, multi-channel radio service broadcast directly from satellites to
vehicles. In October 1997, the Company was granted one of two licenses from FCC
to build, launch and operate a national satellite radio broadcast system. The
Company has begun construction of two satellites that it plans to launch into
geosynchronous orbit to broadcast its radio service throughout the United
States. The Company's service, which will be marketed under the brand name 'CD
Radio,' is expected to consist of 30 channels of commercial-free, compact disc
quality music programming and 20 channels of news, sports and talk programming.
CD Radio will be broadcast over a frequency band, the 'S-band', that will
augment traditional AM and FM radio bands. Under its FCC license, the Company
has the exclusive use of a 12.5 megahertz portion of the S-band for this
purpose. The Company currently expects to commence CD Radio broadcasts in late
1999 at a subscription price of $10 per month.
 
     The Company is positioning itself as an entertainment company and
accordingly plans to design and originate programming on each of its 30 music
channels. Each channel will be operated as a separate radio station, with a
distinct format. Certain music channels will offer continuous music while others
will have program hosts, depending on the type of music programming. CD Radio
will offer a wide range of music categories, such as:
 
  Symphonic
  Chamber Music
  Opera
  Today's Country
  Traditional Country
  Contemporary Jazz
  Classic Jazz
  Blues
  Big Band/Swing
  Top of the Charts
 
  Classic Rock
  50's Oldies
  60's Oldies
  Folk Rock
  Latin Ballads
  Latin Rhythms
  Reggae
  Rap
  Dance
  Urban Contemporary
 
  Soft Rock
  Singers & Songs
  Beautiful Instrumentals
  Album Rock
  Alternative Rock
  New Age
  Broadway's Best
  Gospel
  Children's Entertainment
  World Beat
 
     The Company's 50 music and non-music stations will be housed at the
National Broadcast Studio. The National Broadcast Studio will contain the
Company's music library, facilities for programming origination, programming
personnel and program hosts, as well as facilities to uplink programming to the
satellites, to activate or deactivate service to subscribers and to perform the
tracking, telemetry and control of the orbiting satellites.
 
THE CD RADIO OPPORTUNITY
 
     The Company believes that there is a significant market for music and other
radio programming delivered through advanced radio technology. While television
technology has advanced steadily -- from black and white to color, from
broadcast to cable, and from ordinary to high-definition television -- the last
major advance in radio technology was the introduction of FM broadcasts. CD
Radio will provide a new generation of radio service, offering a wide variety of
music formats available on demand, 'seamless' signal coverage throughout the
United States and commercial-free, compact disc quality music programming. The
Company's planned multiplicity of formats currently is not available to
motorists in any market within the United States.
 
     CD Radio is primarily a service for motorists. The Yankee Group, a market
research organization, estimates that there will be approximately 198 million
registered private motor vehicles in the United States by the end of 1999, when
the Company expects to commence broadcasting. At present, approximately 89% of
all private vehicles have a radio that could easily be utilized to receive
 
                                       37
 

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<PAGE>
CD Radio's broadcasts, with this number estimated to be approximately 182
million vehicles in 1999, and approximately 199 million in 2004. CD Radio will
initially target a number of demographic groups among the drivers of these
vehicles, including 110 million commuters, 34 million of whom spend between one
and two hours commuting daily, three million truck drivers and three million
owners of recreational vehicles, among other groups.
 
     According to Arbitron, in 1996, despite the fact that almost all vehicles
contain either a cassette or compact disc player, 87% of automobile commuters
listened to the radio an average of 50 minutes a day while commuting. According
to the Radio Advertising Bureau, each week radio reaches approximately 95% of
all Americans over the age of 12, with the average listener spending more than
three hours per weekday and more than five hours per weekend listening to the
radio. More than 40% of all radio listening is done in cars. In addition, in
1996, approximately 79% of total radio listening was to FM stations, which
primarily provides music programming, as compared with AM stations which devote
a greater proportion of their programming to talk and news.
 
     The Company believes that its ability to offer a wide variety of musical
formats simultaneously throughout the United States will enable it to tap
significant unmet consumer demand for specialized musical programming. The
economics of the existing advertiser supported radio industry dictate that
conventional radio stations generally program for the greatest potential
audience. Even in the largest metropolitan areas, station formats are limited.
Nearly half of all commercial radio stations in the United States offer one of
only three formats: country, adult contemporary and news/talk, and the next
three most prevalent formats account for another 30% of all stations. Although
niche music categories such as classical, jazz, rap, gospel, oldies,
soundtracks, new age, children's programming and others accounted for
approximately 27% of sales of recorded music in 1996, such formats generally are
unavailable on existing radio stations in many markets. Even in New York City,
the nation's largest radio market, there are no radio stations devoted solely to
such programming as opera, blues, chamber music, soundtracks, reggae, children's
programming and many others. CD Radio's wide choice of formats is expected to
appeal to a large number of currently underserved listeners.
 
     In addition, the limited coverage area of conventional radio broadcasting
means that listeners often travel beyond the range of any single station. Unlike
conventional FM stations, which have an average range of only approximately 30
miles before reception fades, CD Radio's signal is designed to cover the entire
continental United States enabling listeners almost always to remain within its
broadcast range. The Company's satellite delivery system is designed to permit
CD Radio to be received by motorists in all outdoor locations where the vehicle
has an unobstructed line-of-sight with one of the Company's satellites or is
within range of one of the Company's terrestrial repeating transmitters.
 
     The ability to broadcast nationwide will also allow the Company to serve
currently underserved radio markets. In the United States, there are more than
45 million people aged 12 and over living in areas with such limited radio
station coverage that the areas are not monitored by Arbitron. Of these, the
Company believes approximately 22 million people receive five or fewer FM
stations, 1.6 million receive only one FM station and at least one million
people receive no FM stations. This segment of the population also has a limited
choice of radio music formats and is one of CD Radio's primary target markets.
 
     The Company also believes that CD Radio will have a competitive advantage
over conventional radio stations due to its music channels being
commercial-free. In contrast, conventional radio stations interrupt their
broadcasts with up to 18 minutes of commercials in every hour of music
programming, and most stations also frequently interrupt programming with news,
promotional announcements, public service announcements and miscellaneous
information. The Company believes that consumers dislike frequent radio
commercial interruptions and that 'station surfing' to avoid them is common.
 
PROGRESS TO DATE AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
 
     The following chart sets forth the Company's past and projected development
milestones. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to meet any
of its projections for 1998 or 1999, including completion of construction of its
National Broadcast Studio, completion of its satellite launches, or commencement
of its commercial operations in late 1999 as planned. See 'Risk Factors --
Possible Delays and Adverse Effect of Delay on Financing Requirements.'
 
                                       38
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>     <C>
1990:     CD Radio Inc. incorporated
          Proposed FCC create satellite radio service and filed license application
1991:     Conducted stationary service simulation
          Conducted nationwide focus groups
1992:     Satellite radio spectrum allocated at WARC-92
          Conducted radio manufacturer discussions
1993:     Contracted with Loral for construction of its satellites
          Contracted with Arianespace for launch of two of its satellites
          Conducted additional nationwide focus groups
1994:     Completed an initial public offering of its Common Stock
1995:     Completed Loral satellite design
          Filed orbital slot registrations
          Completed development of its proprietary miniature satellite dish antenna
1996:     Designed the radio card receiver
1997:     Won auction for FCC License
          Received one of two FCC national satellite radio broadcasting licenses
          Completed a $135 million private placement of 5% Preferred Stock
          Commenced construction of two satellites
          Completed receipt of satellite broadcast patents
          Arranged $105 million of vendor financing with Arianespace Finance S.A.
          Recruited its key programming, marketing and financial management team
          Completed a strategic sale of $25 million of Common Stock to Loral Space
          Executed radio manufacturer memoranda of understanding
1998:     Select radio card manufacturer
          Select non-music channel content providers
          Complete significant satellite construction milestones
          Begin terrestrial repeating transmitter build-out
1999:     Complete construction of National Broadcast Studio
          Begin commercial production of radio cards
          Complete satellite launches
          Test markets
          Begin commercial operations
</TABLE>
 
THE CD RADIO SERVICE
 
     CD Radio will offer motorists (i) a wide choice of finely focused music
formats; (ii) nearly seamless signal coverage throughout the continental United
States; (iii) commercial-free music programming; and (iv) plug and play
convenience.
 
                                       39
 

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<PAGE>
     Wide Choice of Programming. Each of CD Radio's 30 music channels will have
a distinctive format, such as opera, reggae, classic jazz and children's
entertainment, intended to cater to specific subscriber tastes. In most markets,
radio broadcasters target their programming to broad audience segments. Even in
the largest metropolitan markets the variety of station formats generally is
limited, and many of the Company's planned formats are unavailable.
 
     'Seamless' Signal Coverage. CD Radio will be available throughout the
continental United States, enabling listeners almost always to be within its
broadcast range. The Company expects its nearly seamless signal will appeal to
motorists who frequently travel long distances, including truck drivers and
recreational vehicle owners, as well as commuters and others who outdrive the
range of their FM signals. In addition, the Company expects its broadcasts will
appeal to the 45 million consumers who live in areas that currently receive only
a small number of FM stations.
 
     Commercial-Free Music Programming. The Company will provide commercial-free
music programming. The Company's market research indicates that a principal
complaint of radio listeners concerning conventional broadcast radio is the
frequency of commercials. Because CD Radio, unlike most commercial AM and FM
stations, will be a subscription and not an advertiser-supported service, its
music channels will not contain commercials.
 
     Plug and Play Convenience. Consumers will be able to receive CD Radio
broadcasts by acquiring a radio card and an easily attachable, silver
dollar-sized satellite dish antenna. Listeners will not be required to replace
their existing car radios and will be able to use the radio card by plugging it
into their radio's cassette or compact disc slot. CD Radio listeners using a
radio card will be able to push a button to switch between AM, FM and CD Radio.
Radio cards will be portable and will be able to be moved from car to car. Radio
card activation will be accomplished directly via satellite by calling the
Company's customer service center at 888-CD-RADIO.
 
     The Company intends to offer 30 channels of commercial-free, all-music
programming and 20 additional channels of other formats that do not require
compact disc quality audio, such as all-news, all-sports and all-talk
programming. Each music channel will have a distinctive format, intended to
cater to specific subscriber tastes. The Company expects the initial
subscription fee for CD Radio, which will entitle subscribers to receive all CD
Radio channels, will be $10 per month.
 
     The Company intends to recruit program managers from the recording,
broadcasting and entertainment industries to manage the development of daily
programming for each CD Radio channel. In order to be accessible to these
industries, the Company plans to locate its programming operations and the
National Broadcast Studio in the New York metropolitan region. Program managers
also will coordinate the Company's continuing market research to measure
audience satisfaction, refine channel definitions and themes and select program
hosts for those channels that have hosts.
 
     Music programming will be selected from the Company's music library. The
Company intends to create an extensive music library which will consist of a
deep range of recorded music in each genre broadcast. In addition to updating
its music library with new recordings as they are released, the Company will
seek to acquire recordings that in certain cases are no longer commercially
available.
 
     The Company believes that CD Radio will provide an opportunity for the
recording industry to expose and promote new releases and artists to targeted
listener groups nationwide. The Company plans to solicit promotional copies of
new recordings, and contemplates showcasing these releases as part of a service
to be developed for record companies. The Company intends to work with the
recording industry and performing artists to develop innovative programming
formats.
 
     In connection with its music programming, the Company will be required to
negotiate and enter into royalty arrangements with performing rights societies,
such as ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. These organizations collect royalties and
distribute them to songwriters and music publishers. Copyright users negotiate a
fee with these organizations based on a percentage of revenues. Broadcasters
currently pay a combined total of approximately 3% of their revenues to the
performing rights societies. The Company also will be required to negotiate
similar arrangements, pursuant to the Digital Recordings Act, with the owners of
the sound recordings. The determination of certain royalty arrangements with the
owners of sound recordings under the Digital Recordings Act currently are
subject to arbitration proceedings. The Company believes that it will be able to
negotiate satisfactory royalty arrangements
 
                                       40
 

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<PAGE>
with the above organizations and the owners of sound recordings, but there can
be no assurance as to the terms of any such royalty arrangements ultimately
negotiated or established by arbitration.
 
     In addition to its music channels, the Company expects to offer 20 channels
of news, sports and talk programming. The Company does not intend to produce the
programming for these non-music channels. The Company believes, based on its
discussions to date, that there is sufficient interest on the part of providers
of news, sports and talk programming in CD Radio to permit the Company to offer
a variety of non-music programming. News, talk and sports programming obtained
from third party sources will include commercial advertising. To date, the
Company has not reached any understandings or entered into any agreements with
respect to the supply of such programming.
 
MARKETING STRATEGY
 
     The Company plans to offer a high quality broadcast service with targeted
music formats, nearly seamless signal coverage throughout the continental United
States, commercial-free music programming and compact disc quality fidelity. The
Company's marketing strategy for CD Radio has three interrelated components: (i)
the strategy for creating consumer awareness of CD Radio, (ii) the strategy for
generating subscriptions to CD Radio and (iii) the strategy for generating
purchases of radio cards and S-band radios and their associated miniature
satellite dish antennas.
 
CREATING CONSUMER AWARENESS
 
     The Company believes that the introduction of CD Radio will have high news
value, which it expects will result in significant national and local publicity
prior to and during the initial launch of the service. In addition, the Company
plans to engage in extensive marketing, advertising and promotional activities
to create consumer awareness of CD Radio. This includes an ongoing major
advertising campaign funded principally by the Company, together with expected
significant manufacturer and retailer cooperative advertising. A major national
umbrella campaign will utilize a full mix of media, including network and cable
television, radio, print and billboard.
 
GENERATING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO CD RADIO
 
     The Company also intends to focus its initial efforts on a number of
demographic groups that it believes represent potential target markets for CD
Radio, including commuters, niche music listeners, truck drivers, recreational
vehicle owners, consumers in areas with sparse radio coverage and operators of
rental car fleets. In addition, the Company intends to aggressively target early
adopters of new technologies, who it believes are likely to have a high level of
interest in CD Radio.
 
     Commuters. Of the 110 million commuters, the Company has identified 34
million as highly addressable by virtue of their commute times averaging between
one and two hours daily. To reach these commuters, the Company plans to purchase
radio advertising spots on stations with frequent traffic reports, purchase
outdoor billboard advertising on long commute roads and place inserts in
gasoline credit card bills.
 
     Niche Music Listeners. Niche music categories, such as classical, jazz,
rap, gospel, soundtracks, oldies and children's programming, constitute
approximately 27% of the market for recorded music sales. To reach niche music
listeners, the Company intends to work with the recording industry to include
print material about CD Radio inside niche music compact disc packaging, place
print advertising in specialty music magazines targeted to niche music listeners
and members of fan clubs, conduct direct mailings to specialized music mailing
lists of record clubs and sponsor and advertise at certain music events.
 
     Truck Drivers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there
are approximately three million professional truck drivers in the United States,
of whom approximately 1.1 million are long-distance haulers. The Company intends
to place sampling displays at truck stops and to advertise in publications and
on internet sites which cater to truck drivers.
 
     Recreational Vehicle Owners. There are approximately three million
recreational vehicles in the United States. The Company plans to advertise in
magazines targeted to recreational vehicle
 
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enthusiasts, conduct direct mailings targeted to these individuals and place
sampling displays at recreational vehicle dealerships.
 
     Sparse Radio Zones. More than 45 million people aged 12 and over live in
areas with such limited radio station coverage that the areas are not monitored
by Arbitron. The Company believes that of these people, approximately 22 million
people receive five or fewer FM stations, 1.6 million receive only one FM
station and at least one million people receive no FM stations. To reach these
consumers, the Company plans to utilize local newspaper advertisements during
the Company's initial launch period and target direct mailings to music
enthusiasts in these areas.
 
     Rental Car Fleets. The Company intends to conduct a major promotional
effort with car rental companies to provide CD Radio in the approximately 1.4
million rental cars in the United States. The Company has begun discussions with
car rental companies in this regard.
 
SALES OF RADIO CARDS AND S-BAND RADIOS
 
     Consumers will receive CD Radio through radio cards or S-band radios and
associated miniature satellite dish antennas. Although the Company does not
intend to manufacture or distribute radio cards, S-band radios or miniature
satellite dish antennas, their availability will be critical to the Company
because they are the only means by which to receive CD Radio. Accordingly, the
Company has devised strategies to make radio cards and S-band radios together
with their associated miniature satellite dish antennas widely available to
consumers.
 
     Sales of Radio Cards. The Company believes that the availability of radio
cards will be critical to the Company's market penetration for a number of years
following the introduction of CD Radio. The Company expects that radio cards
will be sold at retail outlets and mass merchandisers that sell consumer
electronics. The retail price of the radio card together with the miniature
satellite dish currently is expected to be approximately $200.
 
     Sales of S-band Radios. Distribution of S-band radios is an important
element in the Company's marketing strategy. In 1996, U.S. consumers spent
approximately $3 billion on autosound equipment for aftermarket installation in
their vehicles, which the Company believes included approximately 4.6 million
new AM/FM radios. The Company believes that this autosound equipment market is
comprised largely of young, music oriented early adopters of new technology and
that, in the course of purchasing a new car radio, some of these consumers would
select one with built-in S-band capability. The Company expects S-band radios to
be sold at retail outlets that sell consumer electronics, as well as at
autosound specialty dealers. Like existing autosound equipment, S-band radios
will require installation by the retailer or a third party.
 
     The Company's long term objective is to promote the adoption of S-band
radios as standard equipment or a factory-installed option in every vehicle sold
in the United States. The Company, however, expects sales of radio cards and
S-band radios through the consumer electronics retail distribution system to be
the primary distribution channel for receivers capable of receiving CD Radio for
many years.
 
SUBSCRIPTION AND BILLING
 
     The Company intends to contract out customer service and billing functions
to a national teleservices company, whose functions will include the handling of
orders from subscribers, establishing and maintaining customer accounts, inbound
telemarketing, billing and collections.
 
     Access to the Company's customer service center will be via the Company's
toll-free number, 888-CD-RADIO, with all interaction with subscribers being
conducted under the CD Radio name. Payment to the Company's selected
teleservices company is expected to be based on transaction volumes, and the
Company plans to charge subscribers a modest one-time activation fee to cover
certain transaction costs. The Company will require payment for CD Radio with a
national credit or debit card.
 
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THE CD RADIO DELIVERY SYSTEM
 
     The Company has designed the CD Radio delivery system to transmit an
identical signal from two satellites placed in geosynchronous orbit. The two
satellite system will permit CD Radio to provide 'seamless' signal coverage
throughout the continental United States. This means that listeners will almost
always be within the broadcast range of CD Radio, unlike current FM radio
broadcasts, which have an average range of only approximately 30 miles. The CD
Radio system is designed to provide clear reception in most areas despite
variations in terrain, buildings and other obstructions. The system is designed
to enable motorists to receive CD Radio in all outdoor locations where the
vehicle has an unobstructed line-of-sight with one of the Company's satellites
or is within range of one of the Company's terrestrial repeating transmitters.
 
     The portion of the S-band located between 2320 MHz and 2345 MHz has been
allocated by the FCC exclusively for national satellite radio broadcasts, and
will augment traditional AM and FM radio bands. This portion of the spectrum was
selected because there are virtually no other users of this frequency band in
the United States, thus minimizing potential signal interference. In addition,
this frequency band is relatively immune to weather related attenuation, which
is not the case with higher frequencies.
 
     The Company expects to use 12.5 MHz of bandwidth in the 7025.0-7075.0 MHz
band (or some other suitable frequency) for uplink transmissions from the
National Broadcast Studio to the Company's satellites. Downlink transmission
from the satellites to subscribers' radio cards or S-band radios will use 12.5
MHz of bandwidth in the 2320-2332.5 MHz frequency band.
 
     The CD Radio delivery system will consist of three principal components:
(i) the satellites; (ii) the receivers; and (iii) the National Broadcast Studio.
 
THE SATELLITES
 
     Satellite Design. The Company's satellites are of the Loral FS-1300 model
series. This family of satellites has a total in-orbit operation time of 270
years, and to date more than 62 such satellites have been built or ordered,
including 24 that are currently in production. The satellites are designed to
have a useful life of approximately 15 years. To ensure the durability of its
satellites, the Company has selected components and subsystems that have a
demonstrated track record on operational FS-1300 satellites, such as N-STAR,
INTELSAT VII and TELSTAR. In addition, a full series of ground tests will be
performed on each of the Company's satellites prior to launch in order to detect
assembly defects and avoid premature satellite failure.
 
     The satellites will utilize a three-axis stabilized design. Each satellite
will contain an active attitude and position control subsystem; a telemetry,
command and ranging subsystem; a thermal control subsystem and an electrical
power subsystem. Power will be supplied by silicon solar arrays and, during
eclipses, by nickel-hydrogen batteries. Each satellite after deployment will be
27.2 meters long, 8.65 meters wide and 3.8 meters tall.
 
     Simple Design ('Bent Pipe'). The Company's satellites will incorporate a
repeater design which will act essentially as a 'bent pipe,' relaying received
signals directly to the ground. The Company's satellites will not contain
on-board processors or switches. All of the Company's processing operations will
be on the ground where they are accessible for maintenance and continuing
technological upgrade without the need to launch replacement satellites.
 
     Spread Spectrum (Code Division Multiplex). The Company's radio transmission
system will utilize Code Division Multiplex ('CDM') and spread spectrum
technology which permits a large number of program channels to utilize a single
radio frequency band. The system, incorporating CDM and spread spectrum
modulation, combined with multiple satellite coverage and terrestrial repeating
transmitters, is designed to provide a high capacity, high quality service.
 
     Signal Diversity. The Company believes that two satellites are the minimum
number required to provide nearly seamless signal coverage throughout the
continental United States. The Company plans to position its two satellites in
complementary orbital locations so as to achieve efficient signal diversity and
thereby mitigate service interruptions which can result from signal blockage and
fading. The Company currently expects that its two satellites will be placed in
a geosynchronous orbit at equatorial
 
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crossings of 80[d] W and 110[d] W longitude. Each of the Company's satellites
will broadcast the same signal. The Company's transmission design also
incorporates the use of a memory reception buffer contained within radio cards
and S-band radios, designed to work in conjunction with signal diversity. The
Company has been granted patents on its satellite broadcasting system, which
incorporates a multi-satellite design and memory reception features.
 
     As with any wireless broadcast service, the Company expects to experience
occasional 'dead zones' where the service from one satellite will be interrupted
by nearby tall buildings, elevations in topography, tree clusters, highway
overpasses and similar obstructions; however, in most such places the Company
expects subscribers will continue to receive a signal from its other satellite.
In certain areas with high concentrations of tall buildings, such as urban
cores, or in tunnels, however, signals from both satellites will be blocked and
reception will be adversely affected. In such urban areas, the Company plans to
install terrestrial repeating transmitters to rebroadcast its satellite signals,
improving the quality of reception. The FCC has not yet established rules
governing such terrestrial repeaters, and the Company cannot predict the outcome
of the FCC's current rulemaking on this subject. See 'Business -- Government
Regulation.' The Company also will need to obtain the rights to use of roofs of
certain structures where the repeaters will be installed. There can be no
assurance that the Company can obtain such roof rights on acceptable terms or in
appropriate locations for the operation of CD Radio.
 
     Satellite Construction. The Company has entered into the Loral Satellite
Contract, pursuant to which Loral is building three satellites, two of which the
Company intends to launch and one of which it intends to keep in reserve as a
spare. Loral has agreed to deliver the first satellite to the launch site in
Kourou, French Guiana by August 11, 1999, to deliver the second satellite to the
launch site five months after the delivery of the first satellite and to deliver
the third satellite to a Company designated storage site within eleven months of
delivery of the second satellite. Loral has also agreed to endeavor to
accelerate delivery of the second satellite to October 1999 and of the third
satellite to April 2000. There can be no assurance, however, that Loral will be
able to meet such an accelerated schedule. Although the Loral Satellite Contract
provides for certain late delivery payments, Loral will not be liable for
indirect or consequential damages or lost revenues or profits resulting from
late delivery or other defaults. Under the Loral Satellite Contract, the Company
has an option to order, at any time prior to March 10, 1999, a fourth satellite
identical to the first three on preset price and delivery terms.
 
     Title and risk of loss for the first and second satellites are to pass to
the Company at the time of launch. Title for the third satellite is to pass to
the Company at the time of shipment of the satellite to the designated storage
site. The satellites are warranted to be in accordance with the performance
specifications in the Loral Satellite Contract and free from defects in
materials and workmanship at the time of delivery. After delivery, no warranty
coverage applies, unless a satellite is not launched, in which case the warranty
extends two years from the date of delivery. In the event of any delay in the
construction of the satellites that is caused by the Company, the Loral
Satellite Contract provides that the terms of the contract will be equitably
adjusted.
 
     Following the launch of each satellite, Loral will conduct in-orbit
performance verification. In the event that such testing shows that a satellite
is not meeting the satellite performance specifications contained in the Loral
Satellite Contract, Loral and the Company have agreed to negotiate an equitable
reduction in the final payment to be made by the Company for the affected
satellite.
 
     Launch Services. The Company entered into the Arianespace Launch Contract
for two satellite launches with Arianespace on July 22, 1997. The initial launch
period for the first launch extends from August 1, 1999 to January 31, 2000. The
initial launch period for the second launch extends from October 1, 1999 to
March 31, 2000. These initial launch periods will be reduced to three-month
periods at least twelve months prior to the start of the respective initial
launch periods. One-month launch slots will be selected for each of the launches
at least eight months prior to the start of the respective shortened launch
periods. Launch dates will be selected for each of the launches at least four
months prior to the start of the respective launch periods. The Company is
entitled to accelerate the second launch by shipping the satellite to the launch
base and preparing the satellite for launch at the next available launch
opportunity.
 
     If the Company's satellites are not available for launch during the
prescribed periods, the Company will arrange to launch the satellites on the
first launch dates available after the satellites are completed.
 
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While the Company has been able to reschedule its reserved launch dates with
Arianespace in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so
in the future. If the Company postpones a launch for more than 12 months, or
postpones a launch within 12 months of a scheduled launch, postponement fees may
be charged under the terms of the Arianespace Launch Contract.
 
     Satellite launches are subject to significant risks, including satellite
destruction or damage during launch or failure to achieve proper orbital
placement. Launch failure rates vary depending on the particular launch vehicle
and contractor. Arianespace, one of the world's leading commercial satellite
launch service companies, has advised the Company that as of November 13, 1997,
87 of 92 Arianespace launches (approximately 94.6%) have been completed
successfully since May 1984. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence upon Satellites,'
'Risk Factors -- Dependence upon Satellite and Launch Contractors' and 'Risk
Factors -- Satellite Launch Risks.' However, the Ariane 5, the particular launch
vehicle being planned for the launch of the Company's satellites, has had only
two launches, one of which was a failure. There is no assurance that
Arianespace's launches of the Company's satellites will be successful. If the
third qualification flight of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle results in a failure,
or if for any reason there have not been at least two successful Ariane 5
launches prior to each of Company's scheduled launches, or if Arianespace
postpones one of Company's launches for more than six months due to a delay in
the development of the Ariane 5 program, then, under the terms of the
Arianespace Launch Contract, the Company has the right to require Arianespace to
negotiate in good faith an amendment to the Arianespace Launch Contract to
provide for launches using the Ariane 4 launch vehicle, with launch dates on the
first available Ariane 4 launch opportunities after the scheduled launch dates,
unless the Company agrees to earlier launch dates.
 
     Assuming use of an Ariane 5 launch vehicle, if a Company satellite is lost
or destroyed during launch, or if, due to an anomaly occurring during launch
caused by the launch vehicle or a co-passenger satellite, a Company satellite
loses more than 50% of its operational capacity, Arianespace has agreed to
perform a replacement launch at no cost. If, under the same circumstances, the
Company satellite loses more than 20% but not more than 50% of its operational
capacity, Arianespace is required to pay Company an amount based on the percent
of lost capacity. If the Company purchases launch insurance on the commercial
market, these percentages will be amended to match those contained in the
insurance policy. If, following launch, a satellite should fail for any reason,
including reasons unrelated to the launch, within 27 months after launch, the
Company is entitled to purchase at the then applicable price a replacement
launch from Arianespace with a one-month launch slot that falls within ten
months of the request for the replacement launch.
 
     The Company will rely upon Arianespace for the timely launch of the
satellites. Failure of Arianespace to launch the satellites in a timely manner
could materially adversely affect the Company's business. The Arianespace Launch
Contract entitles Arianespace to postpone either of Company's launches for a
variety of reasons, including technical problems, lack of co-passenger(s) for
the Company's launch, the need to conduct a replacement launch for another
customer, a launch of a scientific satellite whose mission may be degraded by
delay, or a launch of another customer's satellite whose launch was postponed.
Although the Arianespace Launch Contract provides liquidated damages for delay,
depending on the length of the delay, and entitles the Company to terminate the
agreement for delay exceeding 12 months, there can be no assurance that these
remedies will adequately mitigate any damage to the Company's business caused by
launch delays.
 
     Under the terms of the Arianespace Launch Contract, the Company and
Arianespace each agree to bear any damage to property or bodily injury that it
or its associates may sustain caused by a launch or satellite failure.
Arianespace is required to take out launch and in-orbit insurance policies to
protect itself and the Company against liability for losses that third parties
may sustain caused by a launch vehicle or any satellite on the launch vehicle,
and to indemnify the Company against any such losses that exceed the limits of
the insurance policy.
 
     Arianespace has assisted the Company in securing financing for the launch
service prices through its subsidiary, AEF. The Company and AEF have entered
into the AEF Agreements, which govern the provisions of such financing. See
'Description of Certain Indebtedness -- Vendor Financing.'
 
     Risk Management and Insurance. Two custom-designed, fully dedicated
satellites are required to broadcast CD Radio. The Company has selected a launch
service supplier that has achieved the most
 
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reliable launch record in its class in the industry. Each of the Company's two
operational satellites will be launched separately. The Arianespace Launch
Contract contains a provision entitling the Company to a replacement launch in
the event of a launch failure caused by the Arianespace launch vehicle. In such
event, the Company would utilize the spare satellite that will be constructed.
Thus, the Company does not intend to insure for this contingency. The Company
intends to insure against other contingencies, including a failure during launch
caused by factors other than the launch vehicle and/or a failure involving the
second satellite in a situation in which the spare satellite has been used to
replace the first satellite. If the Company is required to launch the spare
satellite due to failure of the launch of one of the operational satellites, its
operational timetable would be delayed for approximately six months or more. The
launch or in-orbit failure of two satellites would require the Company to
arrange for additional satellites to be built and could delay the commencement
or continuation of the Company's operations for three years or more. See 'Risk
Factors -- Dependence upon Satellites,' 'Risk Factors -- Dependence upon
Satellite and Launch Contractors' and 'Risk Factors -- Satellite Launch Risks.'
 
     Once properly deployed and operational, the historical risk of premature
total satellite failure has been less than 1% for U.S. geosynchronous commercial
communication satellites. Insurance against in-orbit failure is currently
available and typically is purchased after the satellite is tested in orbit and
prior to the expiration of launch insurance. In recent years, annual premiums
have ranged from 1.3% to 2.5% of coverage. After the Company has launched the
satellites and begun to generate revenues, the Company will evaluate the need
for business interruption insurance.
 
     Satellites are designed to minimize the adverse effects of transmission
component failure through the incorporation of redundant components which
activate automatically or by ground command upon failure. If multiple component
failures occur as the satellite ages, and the supply of redundant components is
exhausted, the satellite generally will continue to operate, but at reduced
capacity. In that event, signal quality may be preserved by reducing the number
of channels broadcast until a replacement satellite can be launched.
Alternatively, the number of broadcast channels may be preserved by reducing the
signal quality until a replacement satellite can be launched.
 
THE RECEIVERS
 
     Subscribers to CD Radio will not need to replace their existing AM/FM car
radios. Instead, they will be able to receive CD Radio in their vehicles using a
radio card that has been designed to plug easily into the cassette or compact
disc slot of their existing radio. Customers also will be able to receive CD
Radio using an S-band radio. CD Radio reception with either a radio card or an
S-band radio will be via a miniature silver dollar-sized satellite dish antenna
mounted on a small base housing a wireless transmitter that will relay the CD
Radio signal to the vehicle's radio card or S-band radio. Neither the radio
cards, S-band radios nor the miniature satellite dish antennas currently are
available and the Company is unaware of any manufacturer currently developing
such products.
 
     The Company anticipates that radio cards will be easy to install because
they will require no wiring or other assembly and will be installed simply by
inserting the card into the radio's cassette or compact disc slot. Upon
insertion of the card into the radio, listeners will be able to switch between
AM, FM and CD Radio. The radio card can be removed by pushing the radio's
'eject' button. Radio cards are portable and will be able to be moved from car
to car, if desired. S-band radios will be capable of receiving AM, FM and S-band
radio transmissions. The Company anticipates that S-band radios will be similar
to conventional AM/FM radios in size and appearance. Like existing conventional
radios, a number of these radios may also incorporate cassette or compact disc
players.
 
     In addition to a radio card or S-band radio, a vehicle must be equipped
with a miniature satellite dish antenna in order to receive CD Radio. To satisfy
this requirement, the Company has designed a miniature satellite dish antenna.
The battery powered satellite dish antenna is approximately the size and shape
of a silver dollar, measuring 2 in diameter and 1/8 thick. The base of the
satellite dish antenna will have an adhesive backing, so that consumers will be
able to easily attach the satellite dish antenna to a car's rear window.
Miniature satellite dish antennas will also be sold separately, so that
consumers will be able to receive CD Radio in a vehicle that has a satellite
dish antenna attached to it
 
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simply by moving a radio card. The radio card, the S-band radio and the
satellite dish antenna all use proprietary technology developed by the Company.
 
     The Company's miniature satellite dish antenna design is substantially
'non-directional,' meaning it does not need to be pointed directly at a
satellite in order to receive CD Radio broadcasts. All that is required is that
the satellite dish antenna be positioned upward on an unobstructed line-of-sight
with one of the Company's satellites or be within range of a terrestrial
repeating transmitter. The satellite dish antenna will be mounted on a small
base housing a solar recharging battery and wireless transmitter that will relay
the CD Radio signal to a vehicle's radio card or S-band radio. The CD Radio
system is designed to permit CD Radio to be received by motorists in all outdoor
locations where the vehicle has an unobstructed line-of-sight with one of the
Company's satellites. In certain areas with high concentrations of tall
buildings, such as urban cores, or in tunnels, signals from both satellites will
be blocked and reception will be adversely affected. In such cases, the Company
plans to install terrestrial repeating transmitters to broadcast CD Radio.
 
     A radio card or S-band radio tuned to CD Radio will have a visual display
that will indicate the channel and format selected, as well as the title,
recording artist and album title of the song being played. In order to reduce
fraud, each radio card and S-band radio will contain a security circuit with an
electronically encoded identification number. Upon verification of subscriber
billing information, the Company will transmit a digital signal to activate the
radio's S-band operation. This feature will help the Company to protect against
piracy of the CD Radio signal. Through this feature, the Company can directly
via satellite discontinue CD Radio and deactivate radio cards or S-band radios
of subscribers who are delinquent in paying the monthly subscription fee.
 
     The Company expects radio cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite dish
antennas to be sold through a variety of retail outlets, including consumer
electronics, car audio, department and music stores. The Company currently
expects that the radio card together with the satellite dish antenna can be sold
at a retail price of approximately $200. Radio card or S-band activation will be
accomplished directly via satellite by calling the Company's customer service
center at 888-CD-RADIO. The Company currently expects to begin offering CD Radio
in late 1999 at an initial subscription price of $10 per month.
 
     The Company believes that, when manufactured in quantity, S-band radios
will be incrementally more expensive than today's car radios, while radio cards,
which will have no installation costs if the customer has a radio with a
cassette or compact disc slot, will be substantially less expensive. The Company
expects that the satellite dish antenna will be substantially less expensive
than the radio card for consumers wishing to purchase additional dish antennas
separately. The Company believes that the availability and pricing of plug and
play radio cards will be of prime importance to the Company's market penetration
for a number of years.
 
     Neither the radio cards, S-band radios nor miniature satellite dish
antennas currently are available, and the Company is unaware of any manufacturer
currently developing such products. The Company has entered into non-binding
memoranda of understanding with two major consumer electronics manufacturers,
and has commenced discussions with several other such manufacturers, regarding
the manufacture of radio cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite dish
antennas for retail sale in the United States. The Company currently intends to
select one manufacturer to manufacture radio cards, S-band radios and miniature
satellite dish antennas for retail sale in the United States on an exclusive
basis for the first year of CD Radio broadcasts. There can be no assurance that
these discussions will result in a binding commitment on the part of any
manufacturer to produce radio cards, S-band radios and miniature satellite dish
antennas in a timely manner so as to permit the widespread introduction of CD
Radio in accordance with the Company's business plan or that sufficient
quantities of these will be available to meet anticipated consumer demand.
Failure to have at least one manufacturer develop and widely market radio cards
and the associated miniature satellite dish antennas, and to a lesser extent
S-band radios, at affordable prices, or to develop and widely market such
products upon the launch of CD Radio, would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business. In addition, the IB Order conditions the Company's
license on certification by the Company that its final receiver design is
interoperable with respect to the final receiver design of the other licensee,
which has proposed to use a significantly different transmission technology from
that of the Company. The Company believes that it
 
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can design an interoperable receiver, but there can be no assurance that this
effort will be successful or result in a commercially feasible receiver.
 
THE NATIONAL BROADCAST STUDIO
 
     The Company plans to originate its 50 channels of programming from its
National Broadcast Studio, to be located in the New York metropolitan region.
The National Broadcast Studio will house the Company's music library, facilities
for programming origination, programming personnel and program hosts, as well as
facilities to uplink programming to the satellites, to activate or deactivate
service to subscribers and to perform the tracking, telemetry and control of the
orbiting satellites.
 
     The Company's music library will be located at the National Broadcast
Studio. The Company intends to create an extensive music library which will
consist of a deep range of recorded music. In addition to updating its music
library with new recordings as they are released, the Company will seek to
acquire recordings that in certain cases are no longer commercially available.
 
     Programming will be originated at the National Broadcast Studio and
transmitted to the Company's two satellites for broadcast to CD Radio
subscribers. The Company expects that its broadcast transmissions will be
uplinked to its satellites at frequencies in the 7025.0-7075.0 MHz band. The
satellites will receive and convert the signal to the 2320.0-2332.5 MHz band.
The satellites then will broadcast the signal to the United States, at a power
sufficient to enable its receipt directly by the miniature satellite dish
antennas to be used by subscribers.
 
     Service-related commands also will be relayed from the National Broadcast
Studio to the Company's satellites for retransmission to subscribers' radio
cards and S-band radios. These service-related commands include those required
to (i) initiate and suspend subscriber service, (ii) change the encryption
parameters in radio cards and S-band radios to reduce piracy of CD Radio and
(iii) activate radio card and S-band radio displays to show program-related
information.
 
     Tracking, telemetry and control operations for the Company's orbiting
satellites also will be performed from the National Broadcast Studio. These
activities include controlling the routine station keeping, which involves
twice-monthly satellite orbital adjustments and the continuous monitoring of the
satellites.
 
     The Company expects that the National Broadcast Studio, which will include
its executive offices, will be approximately 30,000 square feet in size. The
Company currently is searching for appropriate space to lease and has commenced
development of plans for its facility with a broadcast studio design firm.
 
DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE CD RADIO SYSTEM
 
     In support of the Company's application for the FCC License, the Company
conducted a demonstration of its proposed radio service from November 1993
through November 1994. The demonstration involved the transmission of S-band
signals to a prototype S-band radio and miniature satellite dish antenna
installed in a car to simulate certain transmission techniques the Company
intends to employ. Because there currently are no commercial satellites in orbit
capable of transmitting S-band frequencies to the United States, the Company
constructed a terrestrial simulation of its planned system. For this purpose,
the Company selected a test range covering several kilometers near Washington,
D.C. which included areas shadowed by buildings, trees and overpasses. The
Company placed S-band transmitters on the rooftops of a number of tall buildings
in such a way as to simulate the signal power and angle of arrival of satellite
transmissions to be used for its proposed service. The Company also modified the
standard factory installed sound system of an automobile to create a radio
receiving AM, FM and S-band, and integrated the Company's satellite dish antenna
into the car roof. The demonstrations included the reception of 30 channels of
compact disc quality stereo music by the prototype radio while the car was
driven throughout the range. Prior to testing with orbiting satellites,
miniature satellite dish antennas and radio cards or S-band radios suitable for
commercial production, there can be no assurance that the CD Radio system will
function as intended. See 'Risk Factors -- Reliance on Unproven Technology.'
 
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COMPETITION
 
     The Company expects to face competition from two principal sources: (i)
conventional AM/FM radio broadcasting, including, when available, terrestrial
digital radio broadcasting; and (ii) AMRC, the other holder of an FCC License.
 
     The AM/FM radio broadcasting industry is very competitive. Radio stations
compete for listeners and advertising revenues directly with other radio
stations within their markets on the basis of a variety of factors, including
program content, on-air talent, transmitter power, assigned frequency, audience
characteristics, local program acceptance and the number and characteristics of
other radio stations in the market. Many of the Company's radio broadcasting
competitors have substantially greater financial, management and technical
resources than the Company.
 
     Unlike the Company, the radio industry has a well established market for
its services and generally offers 'free' broadcast reception paid for by
commercial advertising rather than by a subscription fee. In addition, certain
AM and FM stations, such as National Public Radio, offer programming without
commercial interruption. Many radio stations also offer information programming
of a local nature, such as local news or traffic reports, which the Company will
be unable to offer. CD Radio will compete with conventional radio stations on
the basis of its targeted programming formats, nearly seamless signal coverage,
freedom from advertising and compact disc quality sound, features which are
largely unavailable on conventional broadcast radio.
 
     The Company believes that cassettes and compact discs generally are used in
automobiles as supplements to radio rather than as substitutes, and that these
media are used primarily as backup when radio reception is unavailable or
unsatisfactory, or when desired programming is unavailable or unsatisfactory.
Cassettes and compact discs lack the convenience of radio, as well as the
spontaneity and freshness that characterize radio programming. According to a
1996 market study, although almost all vehicles contain either a cassette or
compact disc player, 87% of automobile commuters listened to the radio an
average of 50 minutes a day while commuting. Accordingly, the Company does not
view its service as directly competitive with these media.
 
     Currently, radio stations broadcast by means of analog signals, as opposed
to digital transmission. The Company believes, however, that prior to the
commencement of CD Radio, terrestrial broadcasters may be able to place digital
audio broadcasts into the bandwidth occupied by current AM and FM stations and
simultaneously transmit both analog and digital signals on the AM and FM bands.
The limited bandwidth assigned to AM stations will result in lower quality
digital signals than can be broadcast by FM stations. As a result, the Company
expects that the use of this technology will permit digital AM sound quality to
approach monaural FM sound quality and permit digital FM broadcasts to approach
compact disc sound quality. In order to receive these digital AM/FM broadcasts,
listeners will need to purchase new digital radios which currently are not
commercially available. While the development of digital broadcasting would
eliminate one of the advantages of CD Radio over FM radio, the Company does not
believe it would affect broadcasters' ability to address the other advantages of
CD Radio. In addition, the Company views the growth of terrestrial digital
broadcasting as a positive force that would be likely to encourage radio
replacement and thereby facilitate the introduction of S-band radios.
 
     Although certain existing satellite operators currently provide music
programming to customers at fixed locations, these operators are incapable of
providing CD Radio type service to vehicles as a result of some or all of the
following reasons: (i) these operators do not broadcast on radio frequencies
suitable for reception in a mobile environment; (ii) CD Radio type service
requires fully dedicated satellites; (iii) CD Radio type service requires a
custom satellite system design and (iv) CD Radio type service requires
regulatory approvals, which existing satellite operators do not have.
 
     AMRC, a subsidiary of AMSC, is the other holder of an FCC License. AMRC, in
which WorldSpace, Inc. (a company that plans to provide satellite radio service
outside of the United States) has a 20 percent interest, and AMSC, which is
owned in part by the Hughes Electronics Corporation subsidiary of General Motors
Corporation, have financial, management and technical resources that greatly
exceed those of the Company. In addition, the FCC could grant new licenses which
would enable further competition to broadcast satellite radio. Finally, there
are many portions of the electromagnetic spectrum that are currently licensed
for other uses and certain other portions for which licenses have been granted
by the FCC without restriction as to use, and there can be no assurance that
these portions of the spectrum could not be utilized for satellite radio
broadcasting in the future.
 
                                       49
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Although any such licensees would face cost and competition barriers, there can
be no assurance that there will not be an increase in the number of competitors
in the satellite radio industry. See 'Risk Factors -- Competition.'
 
TECHNOLOGY AND PATENTS
 
     The Company has been granted certain U.S. patents (U.S. Patent Nos.
5,278,863; 5,319,673; 5,485,485; 5,592,471) on various features of satellite
radio technology. There can be no assurance, however, that any U.S. patent
issued to the Company will cover the actual commercialized technology of the
Company or will not be circumvented or infringed by others, or that if
challenged would be held to be valid. The Company has filed patent applications
covering CD Radio system technology in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the
Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and has been granted
patents in a number of these countries. There can be no assurance that
additional foreign patents will be awarded to the Company or, if any such
patents are granted, that the laws of foreign countries where the Company
receives patents will protect the Company's proprietary rights to its technology
to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Although the Company
believes that obtaining patent protection may provide benefits to the Company,
the Company does not believe that its business is dependent on obtaining patent
protection or successfully defending any such patents that may be obtained
against infringement by others.
 
     Certain of the Company's know-how and technology are not the subject of
U.S. patents. To protect its rights, the Company requires certain employees,
consultants, advisors and collaborators to enter into confidentiality
agreements. There can be no assurance, however, that these agreements will
provide meaningful protection for the Company's trade secrets, know-how or other
proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure. In
addition, the Company's business may be adversely affected by competitors who
independently develop competing technologies.
 
     The Company's proprietary technology was developed by Robert D. Briskman,
the Company's co-founder, and was assigned to the Company. The Company believes
that Mr. Briskman independently developed the technology covered by the
Company's issued patents and that it does not violate the proprietary rights of
any person. There can be no assurance, however, that third parties will not
bring suit against the Company for patent infringement or for declaratory
judgment to have any patents which may be issued to the Company declared
invalid.
 
     If a dispute arises concerning the Company's technology, litigation might
be necessary to enforce the Company's patents, to protect the Company's trade
secrets or know-how or litigation may occur to determine the scope of the
proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation could result in substantial
cost to, and diversion of effort by, the Company, and adverse findings in any
proceeding could subject the Company to significant liabilities to third
parties, require the Company to seek licenses from third parties or otherwise
adversely affect the Company's ability to successfully develop and market CD
Radio.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
COMMUNICATIONS LAWS
 
     As an operator of a privately owned satellite system, the Company is
subject to the regulatory authority of the FCC under the Communications Act. The
FCC is the government agency with primary authority in the United States over
satellite radio communications. The Company is currently subject to regulation
by the FCC principally with respect to (i) the licensing of its satellite
system; (ii) preventing interference with or to other users of radio
frequencies; and (iii) compliance with rules that the FCC has established
specifically for United States satellites and rules that the FCC has established
for providing satellite radio service.
 
     On May 18, 1990, the Company proposed that the FCC establish a satellite
radio service and applied for an FCC License.
 
     On March 3, 1997, the FCC adopted rules for the national satellite radio
broadcast service (the 'FCC Licensing Rules'). Pursuant to the FCC Licensing
Rules, an auction was held among the applicants on April 1 and 2, 1997. The
Company was a winning bidder for one of the two FCC Licenses with a bid of $83
million. AMRC was the other winning bidder for an FCC License with a bid of $89
million. After payment of the full amount by the Company, the FCC's
International Bureau issued the FCC License to the Company on October 10, 1997.
The FCC License is effective immediately; however,
 
                                       50
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
for a period of 30 days following the grant of the FCC License, those parties
that had filed comments or petitions to deny in connection with the Company's
application for an FCC License could petition the International Bureau to
reconsider its decision to grant the FCC License to the Company or request
review of the decision by the full FCC. An application for review by the full
Commission was filed by one of the low-bidding applicants in the auction. This
petition requests, among other things, that the Commission adopt restrictions on
foreign ownership, which were not applied in the IB Order, and, on the basis of
the Company's ownership, overrule the IB Order. Although the Company believes
the FCC will uphold the IB Order, the Company cannot predict the ultimate
outcome of any proceedings relating to this petition or any other proceedings
that may be filed. If this petition is denied, the complaining party may file an
appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals which must find that the decision of the
the FCC was not supported by substantial evidence, or was arbitrary, capricious
or unlawful in order to overturn the grant of the Company's FCC License.
 
     Pursuant to the FCC Licensing Rules, the Company is required to meet
certain progress milestones. Licensees are required to begin satellite
construction within one year of the grant of the FCC License; to launch and
begin operating their first satellites within four years; and to begin operating
their entire system within six years. The IB Order states that failure to meet
those milestones will render the FCC License null and void. On May 6, 1997, the
Company notified the FCC that it had begun construction on the first of its
satellites. On March 27, 1997, a third party requested reconsideration of the
FCC Licensing Rules, seeking, among other things, that the time period allotted
for these milestones be shortened. The Company cannot predict the outcome of
this petition.
 
     The term of the FCC License for each satellite is eight years, commencing
from the time each satellite is declared operational after having been inserted
into orbit. Upon the expiration of the term with respect to each satellite, the
Company will be required to apply for a renewal of the relevant FCC License.
Although the Company anticipates that, absent significant misconduct on the part
of the Company, the FCC Licenses will be renewed in due course to permit
operation of the satellites for their useful lives, and that a license would be
granted for any replacement satellites, there can be no assurance of such
renewal or grant.
 
     Satellite orbit locations are registered internationally for each country.
International regulations at present allocate the S-Band for satellite
broadcasting only in the United States and India. Mexico has proposed in a
currently on-going World Radiotelecommunications Conference that the S-Band also
be allocated for satellite broadcasting in Mexico. The Company cannot predict
the outcome of this action. The Company does not anticipate difficulty in
obtaining international registration, or renewing or extending such
registrations. There can be no assurance, however, that such registrations will
be obtained.
 
     The spectrum allocated for satellite radio is used in Canada and Mexico for
terrestrial microwave links, mobile telemetry, and other purposes. The United
States government must coordinate the United States' use of this spectrum with
the Canadian and Mexican governments before any United States satellite may
become operational. The Company has performed analyses which show that its
proposed use will not cause undue interference to most Canadian stations and can
be coordinated with others by various techniques. The FCC Licensing Rules
require that the licensees successfully complete detailed frequency coordination
with existing operations in Canada and Mexico, and the IB Order conditions The
FCC License on such coordination. There can be no assurance that the licensees
will be able to coordinate the use of this spectrum with Canadian or Mexican
operators or will be able to do so in a timely manner.
     In order to operate its satellites, the Company also will have to obtain a
license from the FCC to operate its uplink facility. Normally, such approval is
sought after issuance of the FCC License. Although there can be no assurances
that such licenses will be granted, the Company does not expect difficulties in
obtaining a feeder link frequency and ground station approval in the ordinary
course.
     In the future any assignments or transfers of control of the FCC License
must be approved by the FCC. There can be no assurance that the FCC would
approve any such transfer or assignment.
     The CD Radio system is designed to permit CD Radio to be received by
motorists in all outdoor locations where the vehicle has an unobstructed
line-of-sight with one of the Company's satellites. In certain areas with high
concentrations of tall buildings, such as urban cores, or in tunnels, signals
from both satellites will be blocked and reception will be adversely affected.
In such cases, the Company plans to install terrestrial repeating transmitters
to broadcast CD Radio. The FCC has not yet established rules governing the
application procedure for obtaining authorizations to construct and
 
                                       51
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
operate terrestrial repeating transmitters. A rulemaking on the subject was
initiated by the FCC on March 3, 1997. The deadline for the public to file
comments was June 13, 1997 and the deadline for filing reply comments was June
27, 1997. Several comments were received by the FCC that sought to cause the FCC
to consider placing restrictions on the Company's ability to deploy its
terrestrial repeating transmitters. However, the Company believes that the FCC
will neither prohibit it from deploying such transmitters, nor place
unreasonable requirements upon such deployment.
     The Communications Act prohibits the issuance of a license to a foreign
government or a representative thereof, and contains limitations on the
ownership of common carrier, broadcast and certain other radio licenses by
non-U.S. citizens. Pursuant to the FCC Licensing Rules, the Company is regulated
as a private carrier. The IB Order determined that, as a private carrier, the
Company is not subject to the current provisions of the Communications Act
restricting ownership in the Company by non-U.S. private citizens or
organizations. The Executive Branch of the U.S. government has expressed
interest in changing this policy, which could lead to restrictions of foreign
ownership of the Company's shares in the future. The IB Order stated that its
finding that the Company is not subject to the foreign ownership restrictions of
the Communications Act is subject to being revisited in a future proceeding. The
pending application for review of the IB Order brings the question of foreign
ownership restrictions before the full FCC. As a private carrier, the Company is
free to set its own prices and serve customers according to its own business
judgment, without economic regulation.
     The other holder of an FCC License has proposed to use a significantly
different transmission technology from that of the Company. The IB Order
conditions the Company's license on certification by the Company that its final
receiver design is interoperable with respect to the final receiver design of
the other licensee. The Company believes that it can design an interoperable
receiver, but there can be no assurance that this effort will be successful or
result in a commercially feasible receiver.
     The foregoing discussion reflects the application of current communications
law, FCC regulations and international agreements to the Company's proposed
service in the United States. Changes in law, regulations or international
agreements relating to communications policy generally or to matters affecting
specifically the services proposed by the Company could adversely affect the
Company's ability to retain the FCC License and obtain or retain other approvals
required to provide CD Radio or the manner in which the Company's proposed
service would be regulated. Further, actions of the FCC are subject to judicial
review and there can be no assurance that if challenged, such actions would be
upheld.
 
OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS
     The Company's business operations as currently contemplated may require a
variety of permits, licenses and authorizations from governmental authorities
other than the FCC, but the Company has not identified any such permit, license
or authorization that it believes could not be obtained in the ordinary course
of business.
 
PERSONNEL
     As of October 1, 1997, the Company had eleven employees, of whom three were
involved in technology development, three in business development and five in
administration. In addition, the Company relies upon a number of consultants and
other advisors. By commencement of operations, the Company expects to have
approximately 100 employees. The extent and timing of the increase in staffing
will depend on the availability of qualified personnel and other developments in
the Company's business. None of the Company's employees is represented by a
labor union, and the Company believes that its relationship with its employees
is good.
 
PROPERTY
     The Company's executive offices are located at Sixth Floor, 1001 22nd
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, and are leased pursuant to a lease
agreement that will expire on October 31, 1998.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
     The Company is not a party to any material litigation.
 
                                       52


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the directors,
executive officers and certain key employees of the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                    AGE                         POSITION(S) WITH COMPANY
- -------------------------------------   ---   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>   <C>
David Margolese......................   40    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert D. Briskman...................   65    Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations and Director
Andrew J. Greenebaum.................   35    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Keno V. Thomas.......................   39    Executive Vice President, Marketing
Joseph S. Capobianco.................   48    Executive Vice President, Content
Paul Sharma..........................   49    Executive Director, Space Segment
Brian Stockwell......................   61    Executive Director, Launch Services
Lawrence F. Gilberti(1)(2)...........   47    Director and Secretary
Peter K. Pitsch(1)...................   45    Director
Jack Z. Rubinstein(1)................   48    Director
Ralph V. Whitworth(1)(2).............   41    Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
 
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and
the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are elected by and
serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
     David Margolese. Mr. Margolese was elected Chief Executive Officer of the
Company in November 1992 and Chairman in August 1993 and has served as a
director since August 1991. In 1991, Mr. Margolese founded a consortium with
AT&T Corp. and Hutchison Telecommunications Ltd., a subsidiary of Hutchison
Whampoa Limited, a diversified conglomerate based in Hong Kong, to bid for
Israel's national cellular telephone license and served as Chairman of this
consortium until June 1993. From 1987 until August 1991, Mr. Margolese was a
private investor. In 1982, Mr. Margolese co-founded Cantel Inc., Canada's
national cellular telephone company, and served as Vice President, RCC
Operations, until 1984. In 1980, Mr. Margolese co-founded Canadian Telecom Inc.,
a radio paging company, and served as that company's President until its sale in
1987.
 
     Robert D. Briskman. Mr. Briskman has served as Executive Vice President,
Engineering and Operations and as a director of the Company since October 1991
and as President of Satellite CD Radio, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, since
September 1994. In addition, Mr. Briskman served as Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from April to November 1992. From March 1991 to June 1992, Mr.
Briskman was President of Telecommunications Engineering Consultants, which
provided engineering and consulting services to the Company. From March 1986 to
March 1991, Mr. Briskman was Senior Vice President, Engineering and Operations
at Geostar Corporation, a satellite company, responsible for the development,
design, implementation and operation of a nationwide satellite message
communication service. Prior to 1986, Mr. Briskman held senior management
positions at Communications Satellite Corporation ('COMSAT'), a satellite
operator, where he was employed for over 20 years. Prior to joining COMSAT, Mr.
Briskman was a communications specialist with IBM and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration. Mr. Briskman holds a bachelor's degree in engineering
from Princeton and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the
University of Maryland. He has published over 50 technical papers, holds a
number of U.S. patents, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics.
 
     Andrew J. Greenebaum. Mr. Greenebaum has served as Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since August 1997. From August 1989
to August 1997, he held a
 
                                       53
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
variety of senior management positions with The Walt Disney Company. From March
1996 to August 1997, Mr. Greenebaum was Vice President, Corporate Finance in
charge of corporate and project finance. From May 1995 to March 1996, he was
Corporate Strategic Planning Director, Corporate Development. From October 1992
to May 1995, he was Director, Corporate Finance and from April 1991 to October
1992, he was Manager, Corporate Finance. From August 1989 to April 1991, he was
a Senior Treasury Analyst, Foreign Exchange. From October 1984 to June 1987, Mr.
Greenebaum was a financial analyst with L.F. Rothschild & Co., Inc., an
investment bank.
 
     Keno V. Thomas. Mr. Thomas has served as Executive Vice President,
Marketing of the Company since April 1997. From July 1995 to April 1997, he was
an independent management consultant to the media and entertainment industry.
From January 1994 to July 1995, Mr. Thomas was Executive Vice President,
Marketing at DMX Inc., a cable radio company. From February 1992 to January
1994, he served as Vice President of Programming at DIRECTV, a satellite
television company. From December 1986 to February 1992, he held senior
management positions, including Vice President, International at ESPN
Enterprises, Inc., a cable television sports network. From May 1982 to December
1986, he held senior management positions, including Vice President, Marketing
at Times Mirror Cable, an operator of cable television systems and a subsidiary
of the Times Mirror Company.
 
     Joseph S. Capobianco. Mr. Capobianco has served as Executive Vice
President, Content of the Company since April 1997. From 1981 to April 1997, he
was an independent consultant providing programming, production, marketing and
strategic planning consulting services to media and entertainment companies,
including Home Box Office, a cable television service and a subsidiary of Time
Warner Entertainment Company, L.P., and the ABC Radio Networks. From May 1990 to
February 1995, he served as Vice President of Programming at Music Choice, which
operates a 40-channel music service available to subscribers to DIRECTV, and is
partially owned by Warner Music Group Inc., Sony Music Entertainment Inc. and
EMI.
 
     Paul Sharma. Mr. Sharma has served as Executive Director, Space Segment of
the Company since April 1997. From November 1988 to April 1997, he was an
independent consultant providing project management services for numerous major
satellite programs worldwide. From 1982 to 1988, he served as Deputy Projects
Director for the Direct Broadcast Satellite program at COMSAT, a satellite
operator.
 
     Brian Stockwell. Mr. Stockwell has served as Executive Director, Launch
Services of the Company since April 1997. He has provided management consulting
services to the space industry since 1992. From June 1981 to January 1992, he
served as President of Willis Corroon Inspace, an aerospace insurance company.
From January 1979 to May 1981, he was Deputy Head of the Ariane Launch Vehicle
Program for the European Space Agency. Prior to that, he was Communications
Satellite Systems Manager with the European Space Agency from September 1969.
 
     Lawrence F. Gilberti. Mr. Gilberti was elected Secretary of the Company in
November 1992 and has served as a director since September 1993. Since December
1992, he has been the Secretary and sole director of, and from December 1992 to
September 1994 was the President of, Satellite CD Radio, Inc. Mr. Gilberti has
been a partner in the law firm of Fischbein Badillo Wagner Harding since August
1994, and has provided legal services to the Company since 1992. From 1987 to
August 1994, Mr. Gilberti was an attorney with the law firm of Goodman Phillips
& Vineberg.
 
     Peter K. Pitsch. Mr. Pitsch became a director of the Company in January
1995. Since September 1989, Mr. Pitsch has been the principal of Pitsch
Communications, a telecommunications law and economic consulting firm that has
rendered legal services to the Company since 1991. From April 1987 to August
1989, he served as Chief of Staff at the Federal Communications Commission. From
November 1981 to April 1987, he served as Chief of the Office of Plans and
Policy at the Federal Communications Commission. He is an adjunct fellow at the
Hudson Institute, Inc.
 
     Jack Z. Rubinstein. Mr. Rubinstein became a director of the Company in
January 1995. Since May 1991, Mr. Rubinstein has been the General Partner of
Dica Partners, L.P., a hedge fund based in Hartsdale, New York. From September
1988 to October 1990, Mr. Rubinstein was a consultant to institutional clients
at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, an investment bank. From February 1978 to
 
                                       54
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
September 1988, he was an Associate Director at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., an
investment bank, responsible for corporate insider portfolio management.
 
     Ralph V. Whitworth. Mr. Whitworth became a director of the Company in March
1994. Since April 1996, he has been a managing member at Relational Investors,
LLC, a financial management firm. In January 1997, Mr. Whitworth became a
partner of Batchelder & Partners, Inc., a financial advisory firm. From August
1988 to December 1996, he was President of Whitworth and Associates, a
Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm. Mr. Whitworth was President of United
Shareholders Association, a shareholders' association, from its founding in 1986
to 1993. From 1989 to 1992, he served as President of Development of United
Thermal Corporation, the owner of the district heating systems for the cities of
Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and St. Louis.
 
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth the compensation for services rendered
during the three-year period ending December 31, 1996 for the executive officers
of the Company whose 1996 salary and bonus exceeded $100,000.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        LONG-TERM
                                                                                                       COMPENSATION
                                                                                                          AWARDS
                                                                       ANNUAL COMPENSATION             ------------
                                                               ------------------------------------     SECURITIES
                                                     FISCAL                            OTHER ANNUAL     UNDERLYING
           NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                YEAR      SALARY       BONUS     COMPENSATION      OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------   ------    --------     -------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>             <C>
David Margolese ..................................     1996    $ 95,833     $ --         $ --             400,000
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive            1995     100,000       --           --              --
  Officer                                              1994     122,000(1)    --           26,052(2)      300,000
Robert D. Briskman ...............................     1996     106,249      20,000       190,938          60,000
  Executive Vice President, Engineering and            1995     100,000       --            1,340          --
  Operations                                           1994     122,000       --           --             192,500
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) In October 1994, Mr. Margolese waived his base salary payable for the
    three-month period ended December 31, 1994.
 
(2) The Company reimbursed Mr. Margolese for the following expenses incurred in
    establishing residency in the United States: $18,521 for tax advice, $2,311
    for moving expenses and $5,220 for real estate commissions.
 
DIRECTORS
 
     Commencing in 1994, directors of the Company who are not full-time
employees of the Company were entitled to receive a director's fee of $20,000
per year for serving on the Company's Board of Directors. In June 1994, all
directors entitled to receive directors' fees agreed to forgo any payments for
their services as directors of the Company. Pursuant to the Company's 1994
Directors' Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the 'Directors' Plan'), each director
who is not a full-time employee of the Company is entitled to an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock upon becoming a director (or upon the
effective date of the plan in the case of non-employee directors who become
directors prior to the effective date) and to an automatic annual grant of an
option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock. The exercise price for annual
grants is fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant.
Prior to the implementation of the Directors' Plan, the Company from time to
time granted options to certain non-employee directors. See ' -- Employee and
Director Stock Options.' The Company reimburses each director for reasonable
expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Company has retained Pitsch Communications to provide legal services to
the Company for a monthly retainer of $5,000. The retainer may be terminated by
either party at any time. The principal of
 
                                       55
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Pitsch Communications, Peter K. Pitsch, is a director of the Company. The
monthly retainer was terminated in May 1997.
 
     The Company has retained Jack Z. Rubinstein to provide consulting services
to the Company for a monthly retainer of $5,000. The retainer may be terminated
by either party at any time. Jack Z. Rubinstein is a director of the Company.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements with its executive
officers.
 
     Effective January 1, 1994, the Company entered into an employment agreement
to employ David Margolese as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
for a term of five years. The agreement provided for an annual base salary of
$300,000, subject to increase from time to time by the Board of Directors. An
amendment to this agreement, dated as of June 8, 1994, provided for an annual
base salary of $100,000, effective June 8, 1994. Subsequently, Mr. Margolese
waived his base salary payable for the three-month period ended December 31,
1994. In January 1997, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Margolese's annual
base salary to $150,000. In July 1997, the Board of Directors increased Mr.
Margolese's annual base salary to $400,000. Under his original employment
agreement and pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan, the Company
granted to Mr. Margolese an option to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock at
$5.00 per share, which option is fully vested and exercisable. If Mr. Margolese
is terminated without Cause, as defined in the agreement, or if Mr. Margolese
resigns for 'Good Reason,' as defined in the agreement, the Company is obligated
to pay to Mr. Margolese the sum of $800,000. In January 1994, Mr. Margolese was
paid $162,000 for deferred salary earned in 1993 and $216,000 in recognition of
his service without pay in 1992. The employment agreement restricts Mr.
Margolese from engaging in any business involving the transmission of radio
entertainment programming in North America for a period of two years after the
termination of his employment.
 
     Effective January 1, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement to employ
Robert D. Briskman as the Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of the
Company. The agreement provided for an annual base salary of $150,000. An
amendment to this agreement, dated as of June 8, 1994, provided for an annual
base salary of $100,000, effective June 8, 1994. In October 1996, the Board of
Directors increased Mr. Briskman's annual base salary to $150,000 and in January
1997, extended the term of the agreement until January 1, 1998. In addition,
under his original employment agreement and pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock
Option Plan, the Company granted to Mr. Briskman an option to purchase 80,000
shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share, which option is fully vested and
exercisable. In May 1997, the Board of Directors named Mr. Briskman the
Company's Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations and extended the
term of the agreement until December 31, 2000. The Board of Directors also
increased Mr. Briskman's annual base salary to $235,000, effective May 1, 1997,
with an additional increase to $260,000, effective January 1, 1998. The original
employment agreement also provides for the grant to Mr. Briskman of options to
purchase 112,500 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share upon completion of
certain milestones prior to December 31, 1994. Such options were granted to Mr.
Briskman on December 23, 1994 and are fully vested and exercisable. In January
1996, Mr. Briskman exercised options to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. On July 9, 1997, the Board of Directors granted Mr. Briskman
further options to purchase up to 57,500 shares of Common Stock at a price per
share of $14.50. The options will vest and become exercisable in two stages
contingent upon Mr. Briskman's continued employment with the Company and the
replenishment of the 1994 Stock Option Plan by the Company. If Mr. Briskman's
employment is terminated for any reason other than cause, as defined in the
agreement, the Company is obligated to pay to Mr. Briskman a sum equal to 50% of
his then annual salary and, at Mr. Briskman's option, to repurchase all of the
shares of Common Stock then owned by him at a price of $1.25 per share. The
Company also has entered into a proprietary information and non-competition
agreement with Mr. Briskman. Under this agreement, Mr. Briskman may not (i)
disclose any proprietary information of the Company during or after his
employment with the Company or (ii) engage in any business directly competitive
with any business of the Company in North America for a period of one year after
termination of his employment.
 
                                       56
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Effective August 25, 1997, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Andrew J. Greenebaum which provides for his employment as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The agreement has a term
of three years. Pursuant to the agreement with Mr. Greenebaum, the Company will
pay Mr. Greenebaum an annualized base salary of $250,000 per year for the period
of his employment with the Company through December 31, 1997 and thereafter an
annualized base salary of $275,000, subject to any increases approved by the
Board of Directors. Upon the commencement of his employment with the Company,
the Company paid Mr. Greenebaum an additional sum of $90,000. The Company has
also granted Mr. Greenebaum options to purchase up to 175,000 shares of Common
Stock at a price per share of $15.125; however, the options relating to 10,500
of such shares are subject to replenishment of the Plan by the Company. The
options will vest and be exercisable in three stages contingent upon the
continued employment of Mr. Greenebaum with the Company at predetermined dates.
The dismissal of Mr. Greenebaum other than for 'cause' (as defined in the
agreement) subsequent to the passing of certain milestones, however, will cause
the options otherwise exercisable only at the end of that stage to vest
immediately notwithstanding the dismissal. If Mr. Greenebaum's employment is
terminated for any reason other than by the Company for 'cause,' (as defined in
the agreement) or by Mr. Greenebaum voluntarily, Mr. Greenebaum will be entitled
to receive, in addition to any other sums then due to him, an amount equal to
his annualized base salary then in effect. The Company and Mr. Greenebaum also
have entered into a proprietary information and non-competition agreement. Under
this agreement, Mr. Greenebaum may not (i) during his employment with the
Company and for three years thereafter disclose any proprietary information of
the Company or (ii) during his employment with the Company and for one year
thereafter engage in any business involving any satellite radio broadcast
service or any subscription-based digital audio radio service delivered to cars
or other mobile vehicles in North America.
 
     The Company has entered into employment and non-competition agreements to
employ Joseph S. Capobianco as Executive Vice President, Content, and Keno V.
Thomas as Executive Vice President, Marketing, both for terms of three years.
The agreement with Mr. Capobianco, effective April 16, 1997, provided for an
annual base salary of $200,000, subject to increase from time to time by the
Board of Directors. The agreement with Mr. Thomas, effective April 28, 1997,
provided for an annualized base salary of $225,000 through December 31, 1997,
increasing to an annualized base salary of $250,000 thereafter through the term
of the agreement, subject to increase from time to time by the Board of
Directors. The Company has granted each of Mr. Capobianco and Mr. Thomas an
option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock at $13 and $12.875 per share,
respectively, each such option to vest pursuant to the schedule set forth in the
applicable option agreement. On July 9, 1997, the Company granted each of
Messrs. Capobianco and Thomas further options to purchase up to 25,000 shares of
Common Stock at a price per share of $14.50. These options will vest and become
exercisable in two stages contingent upon Messrs. Capobianco's and Thomas'
respective continued employment with the Company and the replenishment of the
number of shares of Common Stock in the 1994 Stock Option Plan by the Company.
If either Mr. Capobianco or Mr. Thomas is terminated except by the Company for
'Cause,' as defined in the agreement, or by the applicable executive
voluntarily, the Company will be obligated to pay to Mr. Capobianco an amount
equal to one-third of his then annual salary if the termination is on or prior
to October 16, 1997 and one-half of his then annual salary thereafter, and to
pay to Mr. Thomas an amount equal to one-half of his then annual salary. The
Company also has entered into a proprietary information and non-competition
agreement with each of Mr. Capobianco and Mr. Thomas. Under these agreements
each of Mr. Capobianco and Mr. Thomas may not (i) disclose any proprietary
information of the Company during his employment with the Company and for three
years thereafter or (ii) during their respective employment and for one year
thereafter, engage in any business involving any satellite radio broadcast
service or any subscription-based digital audio radio service delivered to cars
or other mobile vehicles in North America.
 
EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK GRANTS
 
     In February 1994, the Company adopted its 1994 Stock Option Plan (the '1994
Plan') and its Director's Plan. The Director's Plan was amended by the Board of
Directors in December 1994 and January 1995 and approved at the annual meeting
of stockholders on June 27, 1995 to extend the
 
                                       57
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
exercise period of the option after termination for reason other than death or
disability and to increase the initial option grants and annual option grants to
non-employee directors.
 
     The 1994 Plan, as amended, provides for options to purchase Common Stock
and is administered by the Plan Administrator, which may be either the Company's
Board of Directors or a committee designated by the Board of Directors. In
accordance with the 1994 Plan, the Plan Administrator determines the employees
to whom options are granted, the number of shares subject to each option, the
exercise price and the vesting schedule of each option. Options generally vest
over a four-year period, but may vest over a different period at the discretion
of the Plan Administrator. Under the 1994 Plan, outstanding options vest, unless
they are assumed by an acquiring entity, upon the occurrence of certain
transactions, including certain mergers and other business combinations
involving the Company. Options granted under the 1994 Plan are exercisable for a
period of ten years from the date of grant, except that incentive stock options
granted to persons who own more than 10% of the Common Stock terminate after
five years. Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, vested options
terminate 90 days after the optionee's termination of employment with the
Company for any reason other than death or disability, and one year after
termination upon death or disability. Unless otherwise determined by the Plan
Administrator, the exercise price of options granted under the 1994 Plan must be
equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date
of grant. Upon exercise, the aggregate exercise price may be paid to the Company
(i) in cash, (ii) upon approval of the Plan Administrator, by delivering to the
Company shares of Common Stock previously held by such Optionee, or (iii) by
complying with any other payment mechanism approved by the Plan Administrator
from time to time.
 
     The Directors' Plan provides that current non-employee directors of the
Company and persons who become non-employee directors of the Company shall be
granted options to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock upon becoming
directors (or upon the effective date of the Director's Plan in the case of
non-employee directors who became directors prior to the effective date), and
thereafter shall annually be granted options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common
Stock on the first business day following the Company's annual meeting. The
exercise price for annual grants is the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Directors' Plan
vest immediately upon grant and are exercisable for a period of ten years from
the date of grant. Options terminate 18 months after a director's termination as
a director of the Company for any reason other than death or disability, and one
year after termination upon death or disability. Upon exercise, the exercise
price may be paid (i) in cash, (ii) in shares of Common Stock, or (iii) by the
Company withholding that number of shares of Common Stock with a fair market
value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
option.
 
     In June 1995, the Company adopted its 1995 Stock Compensation Plan (the
'Stock Compensation Plan'). Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Compensation
Plan, all employees of the Company or a Related Company (as defined in the Stock
Compensation Plan) are eligible to receive awards under the Stock Compensation
Plan. Bonuses granted pursuant to the Stock Compensation Plan are made by a plan
administrator. The plan administrator, in its absolute discretion, determines
the employees to whom, and the time or times at which, Common Stock awards are
granted, the number of shares within each award and all other terms and
conditions of the awards. The terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to
the awards made under the Stock Compensation Plan need not be the same for all
recipients, nor for all awards. The plan administrator may grant to any officer
of the Company the authority to make awards or otherwise administer the Stock
Compensation Plan solely with respect to persons who are not subject to the
reporting and liability provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
 
     In September 1996, the Stock Compensation Plan was amended to allow the
plan to be administered by the entire Board of Directors, and if so authorized
by the Board of Directors, a committee of at least two non-employee directors.
Prior to this amendment, the plan permitted the administration only by a
committee of the Board of Directors. The purpose of the amendment was to comply
more readily with the new rules under Section 16 of the Securities Act, which
changed the eligibility requirements for these committees. The new rules under
Section 16 allow either the entire Board of Directors or a committee composed of
two or more 'non-employee' directors to act as Plan
 
                                       58
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Administrator. Amending the Stock Compensation Plan provided more flexibility
for the Company in the administration of the Stock Compensation Plan.
 
     Awards under the Stock Compensation Plan may not exceed 175,000 shares of
Common Stock in the aggregate, subject to certain adjustments. Shares awarded
may be from authorized but unissued shares or from Company treasury shares of
Common Stock. All shares of Common Stock received by employees pursuant to
bonuses under the Stock Compensation Plan (except for shares received by
executive officers or other persons who are subject to the reporting and
liability provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act) are freely transferable.
Nevertheless, the shares of Common Stock granted to recipients may be subject to
such terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems
appropriate. During 1996, 67,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock were
issued pursuant to this Compensation Plan.
 
     As of December 31, 1996, 162,500 shares of Common Stock have been issued
under the Stock Compensation Plan, and 12,500 shares of Common Stock remain
available for issuance thereunder.
 
     An aggregate of 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock were available for
issuance pursuant to the 1994 Plan and the Directors' Plan. As of July 31, 1997,
options to purchase all of the 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock had been granted
pursuant to the 1994 Plan and the Directors' Plan and a further 133,000 options
have been issued subject to the replenishment of these Plans by the Company
prior to any of such options vesting.
 
STOCK OPTION INFORMATION
 
     In April 1996, the Company granted to David Margolese pursuant to the 1994
Plan a stock option to purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock which are now
exercisable following the grant of the FCC License. In April 1996, the Company
also granted to Robert Briskman pursuant to the 1994 Plan a stock option to
purchase 60,000 shares of Common Stock, 30,000 shares of which are exercisable
upon the FCC's grant of a license to the Company and the remaining 30,000 shares
of which are exercisable on September 18, 1997 if, as of such date, the FCC had
granted the FCC License and Mr. Briskman was still employed by the Company. In
recognition of Mr. Briskman's services to the Company and in view of the
unexpected delay by the FCC in awarding the Company's FCC License, on October
15, 1997, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted Mr.
Briskman options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $8.5625
per share under the 1994 Plan. Such options are exercisable immediately.
 
     The following table sets forth certain information for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, with respect to options granted to the individuals
named in the Summary Compensation table above.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                             POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                       ----------------------------------------                VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                                      PERCENT OF                                RATES OF STOCK PRICE
                                                         TOTAL        EXERCISE                      APPRECIATION
                                       NUMBER OF    OPTIONS GRANTED    OR BASE                     FOR STOCK TERM
                                        OPTIONS     TO EMPLOYEES IN   PRICE PER   EXPIRATION   -----------------------
                 NAME                   GRANTED       FISCAL YEAR       SHARE        DATE          5%          10%
- -------------------------------------- ----------   ---------------   ---------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>               <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
David Margolese.......................   400,000          87%          $8.5625     4/24/06     $2,398,624   $5,848,148
Robert Briskman.......................    60,000          13%          $8.5625     4/24/06     $  359,794   $  877,222
</TABLE>
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
number of shares covered by both exercisable and unexercisable stock options
held by the individuals named in the Summary Compensation table above as of the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. Also reported are values for 'in-the-money'
stock options that represent the positive spread between the respective exercise
prices of outstanding stock options and the fair market value of the Common
Stock as of December 31, 1996 ($4.125 per share).
 
                                       59
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        VALUE OF
                                                                                     NUMBER OF         UNEXERCISED
                                                                                    UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                                     OPTIONS AT     OPTIONS AT FISCAL
                                                           SHARES                 FISCAL YEAR END       YEAR END
                                                         ACQUIRED ON    VALUE       EXERCISABLE/      EXERCISABLE/
                         NAME                             EXERCISE     REALIZED    UNEXERCISABLE      UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------  -----------   --------   ----------------  -----------------
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>        <C>               <C>
David Margolese........................................          0     $      0   300,000/400,000         $0/$0
Robert Briskman........................................     80,000     $202,500    132,500/60,000      $414,063/$0
</TABLE>
 
LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
 
     As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors of the Company
shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for
any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the
director derives an improper personal benefit. In addition, the Company's
Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that the Company shall indemnify all
directors and officers and may indemnify employees and certain other persons to
the full extent and in the manner permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that, in the opinion of
the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. The Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide
that the Company may, to the full extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company
against any liability which may be asserted against him or her and the Company
currently maintains such insurance.
 
                                       60


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following tables set forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock and 5% Preferred Stock, as of September
30, 1997, by (i) each stockholder known by the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock or 5% Preferred Stock,
(ii) in relation to the Common Stock, each director of the Company, (iii) in
relation to the Common Stock, each executive officer of the Company and (iv) in
relation to each of the Common Stock and the 5% Preferred Stock, all directors
and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company
believes that the beneficial owners of the Common Stock and 5% Preferred Stock
listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole
investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community
property laws where applicable. The table of beneficial ownership of Common
Stock also sets forth information concerning the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Company's 5% Preferred Stock to
holders of the 5% Preferred Stock.
 
                       BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF COMMON STOCK
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NUMBER OF SHARES       PERCENT OF TOTAL
                          NAME AND ADDRESS OF                              OF COMMON STOCK         OF COMMON STOCK
                  BENEFICIAL OWNER OF COMMON STOCK(1)                     BENEFICIALLY OWNED    BENEFICIALLY OWNED(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------    ---------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                   <C>
Directors, Executive Officers and 5% Stockholders
Darlene Friedland (3) .................................................        2,834,500                22.5%
  110 Wolseley Road
  Point Piper 2027
  Sydney, Australia
Loral Space & Communications Ltd. (4) .................................        1,905,488                 15.2
  600 Third Avenue
  New York, New York 10017
David Margolese(5) ....................................................        1,900,000                 15.1
  c/o CD Radio Inc.
  Sixth Floor
  1001 22nd Street, N.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20037
Robertson, Stephens & Co., et al.(6) ..................................        1,467,500                 11.7
  555 California Street, Suite 2600
  San Francisco, CA 94104
Robert D. Briskman(7)..................................................          132,500                  1.1
Jack Z. Rubinstein(8)..................................................          227,000                  1.8
Peter K. Pitsch(9).....................................................           70,000              *
Lawrence F. Gilberti(10)...............................................           35,000              *
Ralph V. Whitworth(11).................................................           35,000              *
Joseph Capobianco(12)..................................................                0              *
Keno V. Thomas(13).....................................................                0              *
Andrew J. Greenebaum(14)...............................................           59,000              *
  All Executive Officers and Directors
  as a Group (9 persons)(l5)...........................................        2,458,500                 19.5
Holders of 5% Delayed Convertible Preferred Stock(16)
Everest Capital International, Ltd.(17) ...............................        2,194,368                 14.9
  c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
  One Pierpont Plaza, 10th Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
Continental Casualty Company(18) ......................................        2,150,881                 14.6
  c/o Chase Manhattan Bank
  4 New York Plaza
  New York, NY 10004-2477
Mackay-Shields Financial Corporation(19) ..............................        1,309,012                  9.5
  9 West 57th Street
  New York, NY 10019
</TABLE>
 
                                                  (table continued on next page)
 
                                       61
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(table continued from previous page)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NUMBER OF SHARES       PERCENT OF TOTAL
                          NAME AND ADDRESS OF                              OF COMMON STOCK         OF COMMON STOCK
                  BENEFICIAL OWNER OF COMMON STOCK(1)                     BENEFICIALLY OWNED    BENEFICIALLY OWNED(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------    ---------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                   <C>
Jess M. Ravich (20) ...................................................          913,244                  6.8
  c/o Libra Investments, Inc.
  11766 Wilshire Boulevard
  Suite 870
  Los Angeles, CA 90025
Grace Brothers, Ltd.(21) ..............................................          869,399                  6.5
  Bradford Whitmore
  1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 900
  Evanston, IL 60201
Everest Capital Fund, L.P.(22) ........................................          824,020                  6.2
  c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
  One Pierpont Plaza, 10th Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
* Less than 1%
 
(1) This table is based upon information supplied by directors, officers and
    principal stockholders. Percentage of ownership is based on 12,577,884
    shares of Common Stock outstanding on September 30, 1997. Unless otherwise
    indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is the Company.
 
(2) Determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act
    of 1934, as amended. Under this rule, a person is deemed to be the
    beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by such person within 60
    days from September 30, 1997 upon the exercise of options, and each
    beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that
    options that are held by such person (but not those held by any other
    person) and that are exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 1997 have
    been exercised. Unless otherwise noted, the Company believes that all
    persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
    respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them.
 
(3) Darlene Friedland is the spouse of Robert Friedland. Robert Friedland was a
    director of the Company from June 1993 until October 1993. From May 1992,
    Mr. Friedland and Ivanhoe Capital Corporation, a venture capital firm he
    controls, collectively were the Company's largest shareholder until their
    shares were transferred to Darlene Friedland in October 1993.
 
(4) Subject to demand registration rights after the Company's two satellites are
    launched and operational.
 
   
(5) Includes 300,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options that are
    exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 400,000 shares issuable
    pursuant to stock options that are not exercisable within 60 days. Pursuant
    to a voting trust agreement entered into by Darlene Friedland, as grantor,
    David Margolese, as trustee, and the Company, Mr. Margolese will have the
    power to vote in his discretion all shares of Common Stock owned or
    hereafter acquired by Darlene Friedland and certain of her affiliates
    (currently 2,734,500 shares) for a period of five years commencing on the
    first to occur of the closing dates of the Stock Offerings or Units Offering
    or the consummation of the Exchange Offer.
    
 
(6) Shares are owned by a group including the following: The Robertson Stephens
    Orphan Fund (which has shared voting and shared dispositive power over
    1,069,200 shares), The Robertson Stephens Orphan Offshore Fund (with shared
    voting and shared dispositive power over 226,800 shares), The Robertson
    Stephens Global Low-Priced Stock Fund (with shared voting and shared
    dispositive power over 70,000 shares), The Robertson Stephens & Company
    Investment Management L.P. (with shared voting and shared dispositive power
    over 1,366,000 shares), Bayview Investors, LTD (with shared voting and
    shared dispositive power over 1,069,200 shares), Robertson, Stephens &
    Company, Incorporated ('RS&Co.') (with shared voting and shared dispositive
    power over 1,366,000 shares), and RS&Co.'s five shareholders, namely Paul H.
    Stephens (with sole voting and sole dispositive power over 96,880 shares,
    and shared voting and shared dispositive power over 1,366,000 shares),
    Sanford R. Robertson (with sole voting and sole dispositive power over
    11,620 shares, and shared voting and shared dispositive power over 1,366,000
    shares), Michael G. McCaffery, G. Randy Hecht and Kenneth R. Fitzsimmons
    (the three of whom have shared voting and shared dispositive power over
    1,366,000 shares). Messrs. Stephens, Robertson, McCaffery, Hecht and
    Fitzsimmons disclaim any beneficial ownership with respect to shares of the
    Company that RS&Co. may be deemed to beneficially own. The source of the
    information in this footnote is the Schedule 13D dated August 13, 1997 filed
    by Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC, et al.
 
(7) Includes 132,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
    exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 117,500 shares issuable
    pursuant to stock options that are not exercisable within 60 days of such
    date.
 
(8) Includes 195,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
    exercisable within 60 days and 7,700 shares of Common Stock held in trust
    for his daughters. Excludes 20,000 shares held by DICA Partners, L.P. of
    which Mr. Rubinstein is the General Partner.
 
(9) Includes 60,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
    exercisable within 60 days.
 
(10) Represents 35,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
(11) Represents 35,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
(12) Does not include 75,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options that are
     not exercisable within 60 days.
 
                                              (footnotes continued on next page)
 
                                       62
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
(footnotes continued from previous page)
 
(13) Does not include 75,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options that are
     not exercisable within 60 days.
 
(14) Represents 59,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 116,000 shares of Common Stock
     issuable pursuant to stock options not exercisable within 60 days.
 
(15) Includes 732,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 857,500 shares issuable
     pursuant to options that are not exercisable within 60 days.
 
(16) Estimated solely for the purposes of this table. Such beneficial ownership
     represents an estimate of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
     upon the conversion of shares of 5% Preferred Stock beneficially owned by
     such person, assuming a conversion date of September 30, 1997 and that all
     dividends on shares of the 5% Preferred Stock are paid, in lieu of cash, in
     additional shares of 5% Preferred Stock. The number of shares of Common
     Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of the 5% Preferred Stock
     would equal the liquidation preference of the shares being converted plus
     any cash payments divided by the then-effective conversion price applicable
     to the Common Stock (the 'Conversion Price'). The Conversion Price, as of
     any date up to and including November 15, 1997, is determined in accordance
     with a formula based on market prices of the Common Stock or actual prices
     at which the converting holder sold the Common Stock, in either case
     multiplied by an amount equal to 1 minus an applicable percentage. The
     actual number of shares of Common Stock upon conversion is subject to
     adjustment and could be materially less or more than the estimated amount
     indicated depending upon factors which cannot be predicted by the Company
     at this time, including, among others, application of the conversion
     provisions based on market prices prevailing at the actual date of
     conversion and whether dividends on shares of 5% Preferred Stock are paid
     in cash or added to the liquidation preference. This presentation is not
     intended to constitute a prediction as to the future market price of the
     Common Stock or as to when holders will elect to convert shares of the 5%
     Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock. See 'Description of Capital
     Stock  -- 5% Delayed Convertible Preferred Stock.'
 
(17) Includes 1,137,155 shares of 5% Preferred Stock. The following limitations
     (the 'Standstill Agreement') apply to Everest Capital International, Ltd.
     and Everest Capital Fund, L.P. (the 'Everest Funds') and their affiliates,
     and to certain transferees. Until the date one year after the execution of
     a certain Commitment Term Sheet between such Everest Funds and the Company,
     the Everest Funds and their affiliates (i) shall not acquire Common Stock,
     including by means of conversion of their 5% Preferred Stock or exercise
     any other right, if, upon such acquisition or exercise, the Everest Funds
     and their affiliates will have or share, directly or indirectly, voting or
     investment power over ten percent or more of the Common Stock (for purposes
     of this clause (i), a right to acquire upon exercise or conversion will not
     be deemed to confer voting or investment power over the underlying security
     in the absence of an exercise or conversion), and (ii) shall not sell or
     otherwise dispose of warrants or 5% Preferred Stock to any purchaser, if,
     following such sale or disposition, the purchaser and its affiliates would
     be beneficial owners of ten percent or more of the Common Stock, except for
     a sale or disposition of warrants or 5% Preferred Stock to a purchaser who,
     for itself and its affiliates, agrees to be bound by the limitations set
     forth in the Standstill Agreement.
 
(18) Includes 1,114,630 shares of 5% Preferred Stock held on its own behalf and
     on behalf of its Designated A/C High Yield Fund.
 
(19) Includes 678,350 shares of 5% Preferred Stock held by the Mainstay Funds,
     on behalf of its High Yield Corporate Bond Fund Series, for which
     Mackay-Shields Financial Corporation acts as financial advisor. Such Funds
     and such advisor share investment and voting power with respect to such
     shares. The Fund has agreed that it will not, following any conversion of
     its shares, be the beneficial owner of more than 9.99% of the outstanding
     Common Stock unless it chooses to waive this restriction upon 61 days prior
     notice to the Company.
 
(20) Represents 64,757 shares of 5% Preferred Stock beneficially owned by Mr.
     Ravich, 146,800 shares of 5% Preferred Stock that are issuable pursuant to
     warrants to be issued to Libra Investments, Inc. ('Libra') and 261,700
     shares of 5% Preferred Stock that are issuable pursuant to warrants to be
     issued to The Ravich Revocable Trust of 1989 (the 'Ravich Trust'). Jess M.
     Ravich is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the controlling
     shareholder of Libra and a trustee of the Ravich Trust. Mr. Ravich
     disclaims beneficial ownership in the shares issuable to Libra except to
     the extent of his ownership interest in Libra. Libra and the Ravich Trust
     have agreed that they will not, following any conversion of their shares of
     5% Preferred Stock, be the beneficial owner of more than 4.99% of the
     outstanding Common Stock unless they choose to waive this restriction upon
     61 days prior notice to the Company. Amount does not include warrants to
     purchase 60,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Ravich Trust at
     a purchase price of $50.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from
     June 15, 1998 through and including June 15, 2005.
 
(21) Includes 450,536 shares of 5% Preferred Stock. Grace Brothers, Ltd. has
     agreed that it will not, following any conversion of its shares, be the
     beneficial owner of more than 9.99% of the outstanding Common Stock unless
     it chooses to waive this restriction upon 61 days prior notice to the
     Company.
 
(22) Includes 427,020 shares of 5% Preferred. Does not include shares of Common
     Stock issuable pursuant to warrants to be issued to Everest Capital Fund,
     L.P. or an affiliate thereof to purchase 1,740,000 shares of Common Stock
     at a purchase price of $50.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable from
     June 15, 1998 through and including June 15, 2005. See footnote (17) above
     for further commentary.
 
                                       63
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                    BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF 5% PREFERRED STOCK
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NUMBER OF SHARES             PERCENT OF TOTAL
                    NAME AND ADDRESS OF                        OF 5% PREFERRED STOCK         OF 5% PREFERRED STOCK
         BENEFICIAL OWNER OF 5% PREFERRED STOCK(1)               BENEFICIALLY OWNED          BENEFICIALLY OWNED(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------   ------------------------    ---------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                         <C>
Directors, Executive Officers and 5% Stockholders
Everest Capital International, Ltd. .......................           1,137,155                      21.8%
  c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
  One Pierpont Plaza, 10th Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
Continental Casualty Company ..............................           1,114,630                       21.3
  c/o Chase Manhattan Bank
  4 New York Plaza
  New York, NY 10004-2477
Mackay-Shields Financial Corporation ......................             678,350                       13.0
  9 West 57th Street
  New York, NY 10019
Jess M. Ravich ............................................             473,257                        9.1
  c/o Libra Investments, Inc.
  11766 Wilshire Boulevard
  Suite 870
  Los Angeles, CA 90025
Grace Brothers, Ltd .......................................             450,536                        8.6
  Bradford Whitmore
  1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 900
  Evanston, IL 60201
Everest Capital Fund, L.P. ................................             427,020                        8.2
  c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
  One Pierpont Plaza, 10th Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (9                   --                          *
  persons)(3) .............................................
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
*  Less than 1%
 
(1) This table is based upon information supplied by principal stockholders.
    Percentage of ownership is based on 5,222,608 shares of 5% Preferred Stock
    outstanding on September 30, 1997. Unless otherwise indicated, the address
    of the Beneficial Owner is the Company.
 
(2) Determined in accordance with Rule 13D-3 under the Securities Exchange Act
    of 1934, as amended. Under this rule, a person is deemed to be the
    beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by such person within 60
    days from September 30, 1997 upon the exercise of options, and each
    beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that
    options that are held by such person (but not those held by any other
    person) and that are exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 1997 have
    been exercised. Unless otherwise noted, the Company believes that all
    persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
    respect to all shares of 5% Preferred Stock beneficially owned by them.
 
(3) No executive officer or director of the Company beneficially owns any shares
    of 5% Preferred Stock.
 
VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT
 
     The Company is a party to a voting trust agreement dated August 26, 1997
(the 'Voting Trust Agreement') by and among Darlene Friedland, as grantor, David
Margolese, as the voting trustee thereunder, and the Company. The following
summary description of the Voting Trust Agreement does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text
thereof, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Issuer
Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 13E-4 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
     The Voting Trust Agreement provides for the establishment of a trust (the
'Trust') into which (i) there have been deposited all of the shares of Common
Stock owned by Mrs. Friedland on August 26, 1997 and (ii) there shall be
deposited any shares of Common Stock acquired by Mrs. Friedland, her spouse Mr.
Robert Friedland, any member of either of their immediate families or any entity
directly or indirectly controlled by Mrs. Friedland, her spouse or any member of
either of their immediate families (the 'Friedland Affiliates') between the date
shares are initially deposited and the termination of the
 
                                       64
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Trust. The voting trust will terminate on the fifth anniversary of the initial
deposit of shares into the Trust.
 
     The Voting Trust Agreement does not restrict the ability of Mrs. Friedland
or any of the Friedland Affiliates to sell, assign, transfer or pledge any of
the shares deposited into the Trust, nor does it prohibit Mrs. Friedland or the
Friedland Affiliates from purchasing additional shares of Common Stock, provided
those shares become subject to the Trust, as described above.
 
     Under the Voting Trust Agreement, the trustee has the power to vote shares
held in the Trust in relation to any matter upon which the holders of such stock
would have a right to vote, including without limitation the election of
directors. For so long as David Margolese remains trustee of the Trust, he may
exercise such voting rights in his discretion. Any successor trustee or trustees
of the Trust must vote as follows: (i) on the election of directors, the
trustee(s) must vote the entire number of shares held by the Trust, with the
number of shares voted for each director (or nominee for director) determined by
multiplying the total number of votes held by the Trust by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of votes cast for such person by other
stockholders of the Company and the denominator of which is the sum of the total
number of votes represented by all shares casting any votes in the election of
directors; (ii) if the matter under Delaware law or the Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company requires at least an absolute
majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company in order to be
approved, the trustee(s) must vote all of the shares in the Trust in the same
manner as the majority of all votes that are cast for or against the matter by
all other stockholders of the Company; and (iii) on all other matters, including
without limitation any amendment of the Voting Trust Agreement for which a
stockholder vote is required, the trustee(s) must vote all of the shares in the
Trust for or against the matter in the same manner as all votes that are cast
for or against the matter by all other stockholders of the Company.
 
     The Voting Trust Agreement may not be amended without the prior written
consent of the Company, acting by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, and
approval of the Company's stockholders, acting by the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the total voting power of the Company, except in certain limited
circumstances where amendments to the Voting Trust Agreement are required to
comply with applicable law.
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
VENDOR FINANCING
 
   
     On July 22, 1997, the Company entered into the AEF Agreements with AEF to
finance approximately $105 million of the estimated $176 million price of the
launch services to be provided by Arianespace for the Company's two satellites.
Under the AEF Agreements, the Company is able to borrow funds to meet the
progress payments due to Arianespace for the construction of each launch vehicle
and other launch costs (the 'Tranche A Loans'). The obligation of AEF to make
the Tranche A Loans is subject to the Company's satisfaction of certain
conditions precedent, and the Company has confirmed with AEF that its issuance
of the Notes will not violate such conditions. Interest on the Tranche A Loans
will be capitalized and will accrue at a rate of 3% per annum above the rate at
which dollar deposits are offered in the London interbank market for three
months or, during a certain time period following the Conversion Commitment Date
(defined below), one month (the 'Interest Basis'). Unless the Company satisfies
the conditions for conversion of the Tranche A Loans to long-term loans, the
Company will be required to repay the Tranche A Loans in full, together with
accrued interest and all fees and other amounts due, approximately three months
before the applicable launch date, which will be prior to the time CD Radio
commences commercial operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will
have sufficient funds to make such repayment.
    
 
   
     If the Company satisfies certain conditions set forth in the AEF Agreements
and otherwise meets the requirements of AEF by a specified date prior to the
applicable launch (the 'Conversion Commitment Date'), Tranche A Loans
representing up to 60% of the launch costs may be converted ('Conversion') on
the launch date into term loans (the 'Tranche B Loans') which will amortize over
a period not to exceed seven years. However, not more than $80 million of the
Tranche A Loans may be converted in the aggregate under the AEF Agreements.
    
 
                                       65
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Prior to Conversion, based on documents and materials to be submitted by
the Company, including its business plan, AEF will place the Company into one of
three pre-established borrower categories for the purpose of determining the
conditions to Conversion that the Company must satisfy. It is anticipated that
the Company will be placed in the category for which the conditions to
Conversion are the most restrictive ('Category 3'). If the Company is placed in
Category 3, AEF, at its discretion, may impose conditions to Conversion and
require covenants in addition to those initially set forth in AEF Agreements.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to satisfy the
conditions to Conversion.
 
     Interest on the Tranche B Loans will accrue at a rate of 3.5% per annum
above the Interest Basis and will be payable quarterly (or, in certain time
periods, monthly) in arrears. Any amounts due and payable by the Company which
are not paid on their due date will accrue interest at a default rate of 2%
above the interest rate otherwise applicable at such time.
 
     The Company may, at any time, prepay the Tranche A Loans or the Tranche B
Loans by providing prior irrevocable written notice to AEF. The Company will be
required to prepay the loans in full, together with accrued interest and all
fees and other amounts due, if certain events occur, including the following:
(i) any of the applicable AEF Agreements, the Launch Services Agreement or the
related Multiparty Agreement among the Company, AEF and Arianespace is
terminated; (ii) following a launch failure, the Company does not request a
replacement launch within 180 days after the original launch date or a
replacement launch is not accomplished within 2 years following the original
launch date; (iii) an initial launch has not occurred by April 12, 2002; (iv) a
replacement launch results in a launch failure; or (v) the satellite fails to
enter commercial service within 8 months following launch. The Company also will
be required to make a prepayment of the loans in proportion to any prepayment
(whether voluntary or mandatory) made by the Company under any other financing
agreement relating to the construction, launch and operation of the satellites.
Following Conversion, the Company will be required to apply a percentage of its
excess cash flow (cash flow not needed to service debt, pay taxes or fund
capital expenditures) to prepay the Tranche B Loans on certain specified dates,
with the percentage so applied decreasing as the outstanding principal amount of
the Tranche B loan decreases.
 
     If Conversion occurs, the Company will not be permitted to pay any
dividends on any shares of its stock or purchase any capital stock or other
equity interest in, or make any loan to or investment in, any of its affiliates
unless the aggregate amount of all such payments for the applicable time period
is less than or equal to the amount of the Company's excess cash flow for such
period minus the amounts needed to make required prepayments of the Tranche B
loans and not used during such period to make loans, investments, capital
expenditures, scheduled payments on subordinated indebtedness or other purposes.
 
     If Conversion occurs, it is anticipated that the Tranche B Loans will be
amortized as set forth in the following schedule, with the final payment of
principal to be made no later than April 14, 2009 (the 'maturity date'):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                             PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                                                            OF TRANCHE B LOANS
                            QUARTERLY PERIOD                                   TO BE REPAID
                          FOLLOWING LAUNCH DATE                                PER QUARTER
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>
1 and 2..................................................................      No Repayment
3 and 4..................................................................          1.0%
5 through 8..............................................................          2.0%
9 through 12.............................................................          2.5%
13 through maturity date.................................................          5.0%
</TABLE>
 
     However, based on the business plan and other documents to be submitted by
the Company during the review process required for Conversion, AEF may impose a
shorter amortization schedule for the Tranche B Loans.
 
     If AEF determines that the Tranche A Loans are eligible for Conversion, the
Company also will be prohibited from changing its capital structure (including
the terms of its outstanding stock or other equity interests), permitting any
change in the composition of its ownership, or changing its
 
                                       66
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
organizational documents, if such change could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Company, its business, assets or financial
condition or its ability to perform its obligations under any agreements
relating to the financing or the value of the Collateral (as defined below) or
the license granted under the Collateral Documents (as defined below). The
Company will also be prohibited from merging, consolidating or combining with
any other entity.
 
   
     As a condition to Conversion, the Company will be required to create, in
favor of a security agent (the 'Security Agent') (and on behalf of AEF, a bank
group providing funding to AEF to on-lend to the Company and any other lender to
the project), liens on specified assets of the Company, including the
satellites, the Company's interests in gateway, ground reception and similar
facilities and the FCC License (the 'Collateral'). In addition, if, as expected,
the Company is determined to be in Category 3, it will be required to provide a
lien on the common stock of Satellite CD Radio, Inc. In connection with such
liens, the Company must execute certain agreements (the 'Collateral Documents'),
including an assignment and security agreement granting the liens to the
security agent, a mortgage on any tracking, telemetry, control and monitoring
equipment owned by the Company and an intercreditor agreement (the
'Intercreditor Agreement'). All obligations of the Company under the AEF
Agreements will be secured by such liens from and following the date of
execution of the Collateral Documents, subject to the condition that neither AEF
nor any member of the bank group providing funds to AEF may direct the security
agent to exercise rights with respect to the Collateral prior to Conversion. If
AEF does not approve the Stock Pledge, the Company may be precluded from
converting the Tranche A Loans. From and following the date of execution of any
Collateral Document, the Company will be prohibited from creating or incurring
any lien on the Collateral other than liens in favor of AEF (or the other
parties to the Intercreditor Agreement) and certain specified permitted liens.
From such date, the Company will be prohibited from selling or transferring any
Collateral having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $1.0 million. In
addition, the Indenture permits indebtedness under the AEF Agreements to be
secured on a pari passu basis with the Notes by a first priority security
interest in the Pledged Stock.
    
 
     Following the Conversion Commitment Date, neither the Company nor its
subsidiaries may sell or transfer any assets (other than permitted dispositions
of the Collateral), except for (i) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) the trade-in of machinery or equipment in connection with the
acquisition of similar machinery or equipment, (iii) the sale of obsolete or
worn-out property having a value not exceeding $1.5 million in the aggregate in
any fiscal year and (iv) sales or transfers of assets that (x) do not exceed in
the aggregate 2% of the Company's total assets in any fiscal year, (y) together
with all prior permitted sales or transfers do not exceed in the aggregate 5% of
the Company's total assets at the time of such action or (z) do not have a fair
market value in excess of $1.0 million per item.
 
     Commencing on the Conversion Commitment Date, prior to incurring additional
indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of $10.0 million or more, the
Company will be required to deliver to AEF a certificate stating that no default
will occur as a result of the incurrence of such indebtedness. From and after
Conversion, the Company also will be required to maintain certain financial
ratios relating to its ability to service debt. If the Company is placed in
Category 3 (as anticipated), it will be in breach of the AEF Agreements if its
ratio of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ('EBITDA')
to total interest accrued or payable for any period of four fiscal quarters
ending on the relevant date of calculation is less than: (i) at any time after
the first anniversary and on or prior to the second anniversary of Conversion,
1.0 to 1, (ii) thereafter, through and including the third anniversary of
Conversion, 1.5 to 1, (iii) thereafter, through and including the fourth
anniversary of Conversion, 2.0 to 1, (iv) thereafter, through and including the
fifth anniversary of Conversion, 2.5 to 1, and (v) any time thereafter, 3.0 to
1.
 
     The Company will also be prohibited from permitting its ratio of EBITDA to
the sum of (a) total interest accrued or payable and (b) scheduled principal
payments for any period of four fiscal quarters ending on the relevant date of
calculation to be less than: (i) at any time after the first anniversary and on
or prior to the third anniversary of Conversion, 1.0 to 1, (ii) thereafter,
through and including the fourth anniversary of Conversion, 1.5 to 1, (iii)
thereafter, through and including the fifth anniversary of Conversion, 2.0 to 1,
and (iv) at any time thereafter, 2.5 to 1.
 
     In addition, the Company may not permit its ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA
for the four fiscal quarters ending on the relevant calculation date to exceed:
(i) at any time after the first anniversary and
 
                                       67
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
on or prior to the second anniversary of Conversion, 6.0 to 1, (ii) thereafter,
through and including the third anniversary of Conversion, 5.5 to 1, (iii)
thereafter, through and including the fourth anniversary of Conversion, 5.0 to
1, (iv) thereafter, through and including the fifth anniversary of Conversion,
4.0 to 1, and (v) at any time thereafter, 3.0 to 1.
 
     From and following the Conversion Commitment Date, the Company may not make
any advances or loans other than (i) extensions of credit for a period not
exceeding ninety days in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable
arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary course of
business, and (ii) if no default exists or would result therefrom, (x) loans or
extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business to affiliates, not
exceeding $2.5 million in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one
time and (y) loans or extension of credit to the Company's key management
employees, not exceeding $1.25 million in an aggregate principal amount
outstanding at any one time.
 
     Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries may make any payments in
respect of any indebtedness subordinated to the prior payment of all amounts
payable by the Company under any of the AEF Agreements, except for regularly
scheduled payments of principal and interest required by the instruments
evidencing such subordinated indebtedness.
 
     A default under either of the AEF Agreements, which includes the
non-payment of principal and interest and breaches of covenants, will constitute
a default under the other AEF Agreement. In addition, the AEF Agreements will be
cross-defaulted to a default by the Company under any other financing agreement
relating to the project or any other agreement or instrument relating to
indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding five million dollars. If
the Company is subject to more restrictive cross-default provisions under any
other agreement providing for long-term, asset-based financing, those more
restrictive cross-default provisions will be deemed to be set forth in the AEF
Agreements. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, AEF may terminate all
commitments to make advances to the Company or convert loans, declare all unpaid
principal and interest immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with
respect to any security.
 
     Pursuant to a Multiparty Agreement to be executed among the Company, AEF
and Arianespace in connection with the AEF Agreements, if the Company is unable
to obtain sufficient financing to complete the construction and launch of the
satellites, and if the Company terminates the Arianespace Launch Contract, the
Company will be required to pay Arianespace a termination fee ranging from 5% to
40% of the launch services price, based on the proximity of the date of
termination to the scheduled launch date. The termination fee will be payable
prior to the time the Company commences commercial operations and there can be
no assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds to pay this fee.
 
                                       68


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS
 
   
     Each Unit offered hereby consists of $20,000 principal amount at maturity
of Notes and one Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire $3,000
principal amount at maturity of Notes. The Notes and Warrants will not be
separately transferable until the Separability Date, which shall be the earliest
of: (i) the occurrence of an Exercise Event, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of
Default, or (iii) such earlier date as determined by Merrill Lynch in its sole
discretion.
    
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
   
     The Notes offered hereby will be issued under an indenture to be dated as
of November 26, 1997 (the 'Indenture') between the Company, as issuer, and IBJ
Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as trustee (the 'Trustee'), the form of which has
been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part. The Indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act.
The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the provisions of the Notes and the Indenture, including the definitions of
certain terms contained therein and those terms made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act. For definitions of certain capitalized
terms used in the following summary, see ' -- Certain Definitions.'
    
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Notes will be senior secured obligations of the Company, secured by a
pledge of the stock of Satellite CD Radio Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company (the 'Pledged Stock'), and will rank pari passu in right of payment with
all existing and future unsubordinated obligations of the Company, and senior in
right of payment to all existing and future obligations the Company expressly
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes will be limited to
$296,930,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity and will mature on December
1, 2007. Although for federal income tax purposes a significant amount of
original issue discount, taxable as ordinary income, will be recognized by a
holder as such discount accrues from the date of the Indenture, no cash interest
will be payable on the Notes prior to December 1, 2002. Each Note will bear
interest at the rate set forth on the cover page hereof from December 1, 2002 or
from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, payable on June 1, 2003 and semi-annually thereafter on June
1 and December 1 in each year until the principal thereof is paid or duly
provided for to the Person in whose name the Note (or any predecessor Note) is
registered at the close of business on the May 15 or November 15 next preceding
such interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
    
 
     Principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on the Notes will be
payable, and the Notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or
agency of the Company in The City of New York maintained for such purposes
(which initially will be the office of the Trustee); provided, however, that, at
the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as shown on the security register.
The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons. No
service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or
redemption of Notes, but the Company may require payment in certain
circumstances of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
that may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
RANKING
 
   
     The indebtedness of the Company evidenced by the Notes will rank pari passu
in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated obligations of
the Company, and senior in right of payment to all existing and future
obligations of the Company expressly subordinated in right of payment to the
Notes. Under the Indenture, the Company and its subsidiaries may incur
additional indebtedness, including indebtedness secured on a pari passu basis
with the holders of Notes with respect to the Pledged Stock. Such secured
indebtedness includes vendor financing from AEF and Loral Space. See
    
 
                                       69
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
'Description of Certain Indebtedness.' The Company currently has no subordinated
obligations outstanding.
 
     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Indenture, for so
long as any shares of 5% Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Notes shall
rank pari passu to such shares of 5% Preferred Stock in seniority and right of
payment, structure and maturity. Accordingly, because the 5% Preferred Stock has
no maturity or mandatory redemption date, no payments of principal upon maturity
of the Notes may be paid until the date on which no shares of 5% Preferred Stock
remain outstanding. It is a condition to the consummation of the Notes Offering
that all outstanding shares of 5% Preferred Stock be exchanged for shares of
Series C Preferred Stock in the Exchange Offer or redeemed by the Company.
 
SECURITY
 
     The Notes will be secured by a first priority perfected security interest
in all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Satellite CD Radio Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the 'Pledged Stock'). The Indenture will
permit the Company to incur additional secured financing including (i) up to
$145 million under the AEF Agreements and the Loral Satellite Contract and (ii)
certain other financing. Any secured financing incurred by the Company under
either (i) or (ii) above may be secured on a pari passu basis with the holders
of Notes with respect to the Pledged Stock.
 
     So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company
is entitled to exercise all voting rights with respect to the Pledged Stock,
provided that no vote is cast that is inconsistent with the provisions of the
Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Trustee may vote the
Pledged Stock and, subject to the satisfaction of any regulatory requirements,
realize upon and sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Pledged
Stock and will apply the proceeds of any sale or disposition, first to the
payment of costs and expenses of sale, second to amounts due the Trustee, third
to the payment of all amounts due and unpaid on the Notes and, finally, any
surplus to the Company. The Notes are not secured by any lien on, or other
security interest in, any other properties or assets of the Company or Satellite
CD Radio, Inc.
 
     Regulatory considerations may affect the ability of the Trustee to exercise
certain rights with respect to the Pledged Stock upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default. In particular, the Trustee under the Indenture may not exercise any
rights with respect to the Pledged Stock upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default if such action would constitute or result in any assignment of the FCC
License or any change of control (whether de jure or de facto) of the Company
unless the prior approval of the FCC is first obtained. There can be no
assurance that any such required FCC approval can be obtained on a timely basis,
or at all.
 
SINKING FUND
 
     The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
 
REDEMPTION
 
   
     The Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after December 1, 2002, on not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' prior notice at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of
principal amount at maturity) set forth below, together with accrued interest,
if any, to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning
on
    
 
                                       70
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
December 1 of the years indicated below (subject to the right of holders of
record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on a relevant interest
payment date):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    REDEMPTION
YEAR                                                                                  PRICE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
2002.............................................................................    112.5%
2003.............................................................................    110.0%
2004.............................................................................    107.5%
2005.............................................................................    105.0%
2006.............................................................................    102.5%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     In addition, (i) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company is
obligated to make an offer to purchase all outstanding Notes at a price of 101%
of the Accreted Value thereof on the applicable date of purchase, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of
holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on relevant
interest payment dates), and (ii) upon the occurrence of an Asset Sale, the
Company may be obligated to make an offer to purchase all or a portion of the
outstanding Notes at a price of 100% of the Accreted Value thereof on the
applicable date of purchase, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date
of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on relevant record dates
to receive interest due on relevant interest payment dates). See ' -- Certain
Covenants -- Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control' and ' -- Limitation on
Sale of Assets,' respectively.
    
 
     If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to be
redeemed will be selected not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by
the Trustee by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate;
provided, however, that no such partial redemption will reduce the principal
amount at maturity of a Note not redeemed to less than $1,000. Notice of
redemption will be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more
than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed
at its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the
notice of redemption that relates to such Note will state the portion of the
principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal
amount at maturity equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the
name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after
the redemption date, interest and original issue discount will cease to accrue
on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption and accepted for payment.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Indenture will contain, among others, the following covenants:
 
     Limitation on Indebtedness. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume, issue, guarantee or in any manner
become directly or indirectly liable for or with respect to the payment of, or
otherwise incur (collectively, to 'incur'), any Indebtedness, except for
Permitted Indebtedness; provided that (i) the Company will be permitted to incur
Indebtedness and (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to incur
Acquired Indebtedness, if, in either case, after giving pro forma effect to such
incurrence (including the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the ratio
of (x) Total Consolidated Indebtedness to (y) Adjusted Consolidated Operating
Cash Flow for the latest four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial
statements of the Company are available preceding the date of such incurrence,
taken as a whole, would be greater than zero and less than or equal to 4.0 to
1.0.
 
     Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company will not make, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, directly or indirectly, any of the
following: (i) the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other
distribution on Capital Stock of the Company or any payment made to the direct
or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Capital Stock of the
Company (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified
Capital Stock of the Company or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company); (ii) the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company (other
than any such Capital Stock owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or
any affiliate of the Company (other than any Restricted Subsidiary); (iii) the
making of any principal payment on, or the repurchase,
 
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redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of, prior to
any scheduled principal payment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Pari
Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated
Indebtedness held by a Restricted Subsidiary); or (iv) the making of any
Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person (such payments or
other actions described in (but not excluded from) clauses (i) through (iv) are
collectively referred to as 'Restricted Payments'), unless, in each case:
 
          (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Restricted
     Payment;
 
          (B) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
     Company would be able to incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness (other than
     Permitted Indebtedness) under the proviso of the covenant 'Limitation on
     Indebtedness'; and
 
   
          (C) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
     aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or after
     the date of the Indenture would not exceed an amount equal to the sum of
     (a) the difference between (x) the Cumulative Available Cash Flow
     determined at the time of such Restricted Payment and (y) 150% of the
     cumulative Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company determined for the
     period commencing on the date of the Indenture and ending on the last day
     of the latest fiscal quarter for which consolidated financial statements of
     the Company are available preceding the date of such Restricted Payment
     plus (b) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the
     issue or sale (other than to any Restricted Subsidiary) of Qualified
     Capital Stock of the Company after January 1, 1998, plus (c) the aggregate
     Net Cash Proceeds received after the date of the Indenture by the Company
     from the issuance or sale (other than to any Restricted Subsidiary) of debt
     securities or Redeemable Capital Stock that have been converted into or
     exchanged for Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, together with the
     aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company at the time of such
     conversion or exchange, plus (d) to the extent not otherwise included in
     the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow of the Company, an amount equal to the
     sum of (1) the net reduction in Investments in any Person (other than the
     Permitted Investments) resulting from the payment in cash of dividends,
     repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets, in each case
     to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture
     from such Person and (2) the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity
     interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of
     any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is
     designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that in the case of
     (1) or (2) above the foregoing sum shall not exceed the aggregate amount of
     Investments previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the
     Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted
     Subsidiary, minus (e) the sum of 80% of the outstanding principal amount of
     all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (i)(x) or (i)(y)(1) of the
     definition of Permitted Indebtedness and 100% of the outstanding principal
     amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (i)(y)(2) of the
     definition of Permitted Indebtedness.
    
 
For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted Payments,
property other than cash shall be valued at its Fair Market Value.
 
     The provisions of this covenant shall not prohibit, so long as, with
respect to clauses (ii) through (ix) below, no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, (i) the payment of any dividend or other
distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such
date of declaration such payment complied with the provisions of the Indenture,
and such payment will be deemed to have been paid on the date of declaration for
purposes of the calculation in the foregoing paragraph; (ii) the purchase,
redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any shares of Capital Stock of
the Company in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially
concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, shares of
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company; (iii) the purchase, redemption,
retirement, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of
Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds
of a substantially concurrent issue or sale (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary) of, Qualified Capital Stock of the Company; (iv) (A) the purchase of
any Subordinated Indebtedness at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the
principal amount or accreted value thereof, as the case may be, together with
accrued
 
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interest, if any, in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with
provisions similar to the 'Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control' covenant
or (B) the purchase of any Preferred Stock at a purchase price not greater than
101% of the liquidation preference thereof, together with accrued dividends, if
any, in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with provisions similar
to the 'Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control' covenant; provided that, in
each case, prior to such purchase the Company has made the Change of Control
Offer as provided in such covenant with respect to the Notes and has purchased
all Notes validly tendered for payment in connection with such Change of Control
Offer; (v) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or out of the
Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially concurrent incurrence (other than to a
Restricted Subsidiary) of, new Subordinated Indebtedness so long as (A) the
principal amount of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount
(or, if such Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced provides for an amount
less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration
of acceleration thereof, such lesser amount as of the date of determination) of
the Subordinated Indebtedness being so purchased, redeemed, defeased, acquired
or retired, plus the lesser of the amount of any premium required to be paid in
connection with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated
Indebtedness being refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined
by the Company as necessary to accomplish such refinancing, plus, in either
case, the amount of expenses of the Company incurred in connection with such
refinancing, (B) such new Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes
to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, redeemed,
defeased, acquired or retired and (C) such new Subordinated Indebtedness has an
Average Life longer than the Average Life of the Notes and a final Stated
Maturity of principal later than the Stated Maturity of principal of the Notes;
(vi) the purchase of any Subordinated Indebtedness at a purchase price not
greater than 100% of the principal amount or accreted value thereof, as the case
may be, together with accrued interest, if any, following an Asset Sale in
accordance with provisions similar to the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets'
covenant, provided that prior to making any such purchase the Company has made
the Excess Proceeds Offer as provided in such covenant with respect to the Notes
and has purchased all Notes validly tendered for payment in connection with such
Excess Proceeds Offer; (vii) the optional redemption or retirement of any Pari
Passu Indebtedness if a pro rata principal amount at maturity of Notes is
redeemed or retired by the Company at the same time; (viii) the payment of cash
dividends on outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Company out
of the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue and sale (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Common Stock of the Company; and (ix) any
other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15.0 million.
 
     In determining the amount of Restricted Payments permissible under this
covenant, amounts expended pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi),
(vii), (viii) and (ix) above shall be included as Restricted Payments.
 
     Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Company (a) will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue
any Capital Stock (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) and (b)
will not permit any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary)
to own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that
this covenant shall not prohibit (i) the issuance and sale of all, but not less
than all, of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with
the other provisions of the Indenture or (ii) the ownership by directors of
directors' qualifying shares or the ownership by foreign nationals of Capital
Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent mandated by applicable law.
 
     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or
suffer to exist any transaction or series of related transactions (including,
without limitation, the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or
services) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (other than
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) unless (i) such transaction or series of
related transactions is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by
a Board Resolution, than those that could have been obtained in an arm's-length
transaction with
 
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unrelated third parties who are not Affiliates, (ii) with respect to any
transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate consideration
equal to or greater than $2,500,000, the Company shall have delivered an
officers' certificate to the Trustee certifying that such transaction or series
of related transactions complies with clause (i) above and such transaction or
series of related transactions has been approved by a majority of the
Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the Company, or the Company
has obtained a written opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking
firm to the effect that such transaction or series of related transactions is
fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a
financial point of view and (iii) with respect to any transaction or series of
related transactions including aggregate consideration in excess of $10,000,000,
or in the event no members of the Board of Directors of the Company are
Disinterested Directors with respect to any transaction or series of
transactions included in clause (ii), the Company shall obtain an opinion from a
nationally recognized investment banking firm as described above; provided,
however, that this provision will not restrict (1) any transaction by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate directly related to the
purchase, sale or distribution of products in the ordinary course of business
consistent with industry practice, (2) the Company from paying reasonable and
customary regular compensation and fees to directors of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary who are not employees of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, (3) the payment of compensation (including stock options and other
incentive compensation) to officers and other employees the terms of which are
approved by the Board of Directors, (4) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
from making any Restricted Payment in compliance with the 'Limitation on
Restricted Payments' covenant (including pursuant to the second paragraph
thereof), (5) transactions between the Company and Batchelder & Partners Inc.
pursuant to agreements in effect on the date of the Indenture and listed on a
schedule to the Indenture; provided that the Company will not, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to amend, modify or in any way alter, other
than an extension of the termination thereof, the terms of any such agreement in
a manner materially adverse to the holders of the Notes, (6) transactions among
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (7) the payment of fees to
Robertson, Stephens & Company, Incorporated for investment banking services
rendered to the Company or (8) amendments to the Loral Satellite Purchase
Contract; provided that the Company will not amend, modify or in any way alter
the terms of such agreement in a manner materially adverse to the holders of the
Notes.
 
     Under Delaware law, the Disinterested Directors' fiduciary obligations
require that they act in good faith in a manner which they reasonably believe to
be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, which may not
necessarily be the same as those of holders of the Notes.
 
   
     Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien of any kind, other than Permitted Liens, on or with
respect to any of its property or assets, including any shares of stock or
indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of the
Indenture or thereafter acquired, or any income, profits or proceeds therefrom,
or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income thereon, unless (x) in
the case of any Lien securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes are secured
by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to
such Lien and (y) in the case of any other Lien, the Notes are equally and
ratably secured; provided that in no event may the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary grant any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on the Bond Collateral.
    
 
     Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control. If a Change of Control shall
occur at any time, then each holder of Notes shall have the right to require
that the Company purchase such holder's Notes, in whole or in part in integral
multiples of $1,000 principal amount at maturity, at a purchase price (the
'Change of Control Purchase Price') in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the
Accreted Value of such Notes as of the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the 'Change of Control Purchase
Date'), pursuant to the offer described below (the 'Change of Control Offer')
and the other procedures set forth in the Indenture.
 
     Within 15 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall notify
the Trustee thereof and give written notice of such Change of Control to each
holder of Notes by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at the address of such
holder appearing in the security register, stating, among other things, (i) the
purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be a Business Day no earlier
than 30 days nor
 
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later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, or such later date as is
necessary to comply with requirements under the Exchange Act or any applicable
securities laws or regulations; (ii) that any Note not tendered will continue to
accrue interest or original issue discount; (iii) that, unless the Company
defaults in the payment of the purchase price, any Notes accepted for payment
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest and
original issue discount after the Change of Control Purchase Date; and (iv)
certain other procedures that a holder of Notes must follow to accept a Change
of Control Offer or to withdraw such acceptance. The Company shall have no
obligation to purchase any Notes in a Change of Control Offer if no Notes are
tendered by the holders thereof.
 
     If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that the
Company will have available funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control
Purchase Price for all of the Notes that might be delivered by holders of the
Notes seeking to accept the Change of Control Offer. The failure of the Company
to make or consummate the Change of Control Offer or pay the Change of Control
Purchase Price when due would result in an Event of Default and would give the
Trustee and the holders of the Notes the rights described under 'Events of
Default.'
 
     One of the events which constitutes a Change of Control under the Indenture
is the disposition of 'all or substantially all' of the Company's assets. This
term has not been interpreted under New York law (which is the governing law of
the Indenture) to represent a specific quantitative test. As a consequence, in
the event holders of the Notes elect to require the Company to purchase the
Notes and the Company elects to contest such election, there can be no assurance
as to how a court interpreting New York law would interpret the phrase.
 
     The existence of a holder's right to require the Company to purchase such
holder's Notes upon a Change of Control may deter a third party from acquiring
the Company in a transaction which constitutes a Change of Control.
 
     The definition of 'Change of Control' in the Indenture is limited in scope.
The provisions of the Indenture may not afford holders of Notes the right to
require the Company to purchase such Notes in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction or certain transactions with the Company's management or its
affiliates, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar
transaction involving the Company (including, in certain circumstances, an
acquisition of the Company by management or its affiliates) that may adversely
affect holders of the Notes, if such transaction is not a transaction defined as
a Change of Control. See ' -- Certain Definitions' for the definition of 'Change
of Control.' A transaction involving the Company's management or its affiliates,
or a transaction involving a recapitalization of the Company, would result in a
Change of Control if it is the type of transaction specified by such definition.
 
     The Company will comply to the extent applicable with the requirements of
the tender offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any
other applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with a Change of
Control Offer.
 
     Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The Company will not, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any
sale-leaseback transaction involving any of its assets or properties whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
sells or transfers such assets or properties and then or thereafter leases such
assets or properties or any part thereof or any other assets or properties which
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, intends to use
for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets or properties sold
or transferred.
 
     The foregoing restriction does not apply to any sale-leaseback transaction
if (i) the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not in excess of
three years; (ii) the transaction is solely between the Company and any
Restricted Subsidiary or solely between Restricted Subsidiaries; or (iii) the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, within 12 months after the sale or
transfer of any assets or properties is completed, applies an amount not less
than the net proceeds received from such sale in accordance with paragraph (b)
of the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenant described below.
 
     Limitation on Sale of Assets. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, engage in any Asset Sale
unless (i) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary for such Asset Sale is not less than the Fair Market Value of the
 
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shares or assets sold (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and (ii)
the consideration received by the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary
in respect of such Asset Sale consists of at least 80% cash or Cash Equivalents.
 
     (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale,
the Company may use the Net Cash Proceeds thereof within 12 months after the
later of such Asset Sale or the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (i) to
permanently repay or prepay any then outstanding Pari Passu Indebtedness, (ii)
to invest in any one or more businesses, capital expenditures or other tangible
assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, engaged, used
or useful in the CD Radio Business (or enter into a legally binding agreement to
do so within 6 months); or (iii) to invest in properties or assets that replace
the properties and assets that are the subject to such Asset Sale (or enter into
a legally binding agreement to do so within 6 months). If any such legally
binding agreement to invest such Net Cash Proceeds is terminated, then the
Company may, within 90 days of such termination or within 12 months of such
Asset Sale, whichever is later, apply or invest such Net Cash Proceeds as
provided in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) (without regard to the parenthetical
contained in clause (i) or (ii)) above. The amount of such Net Cash Proceeds not
so used as set forth above in this paragraph (b) constitutes 'Excess Proceeds.'
 
     (c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10,000,000 the
Company shall, within 30 business days, make an offer to purchase (an 'Excess
Proceeds Offer') from all holders of Notes, on a pro rata basis, in accordance
with the procedures set forth below, the maximum Accreted Value as of the date
of purchase (expressed as a multiple of $1,000) of Notes that may be purchased
with the Excess Proceeds. The offer price as to each Note shall be payable in
cash in an amount equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of such Note as of the
date of purchase plus accrued interest, if any (the 'Offered Price'), to the
date such Excess Proceeds Offer is consummated (the 'Offer Date'). To the extent
that the aggregate Accreted Value of Notes tendered pursuant to an Excess
Proceeds Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds relating thereto, the Company
may use such additional Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes or to
fund an offer to redeem any outstanding Subordinated Indebtedness or Pari Passu
Indebtedness in accordance with provisions similar to this 'Limitation on Sale
of Assets' covenant. If the aggregate Accreted Value of Notes validly tendered
and not withdrawn by holders thereof exceeds the Excess Proceeds, Notes to be
purchased will be selected on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such offer to
purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
 
     (d) If the Company becomes obligated to make an Offer pursuant to clause
(c) above, the Notes shall be purchased by the Company, at the option of the
holder thereof, in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000, on a date
that is not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days from the date the
notice is given to holders, or such later date as may be necessary for the
Company to comply with the requirements under the Exchange Act or any other
applicable securities laws or regulations, subject to proration in the event the
amount of Excess Proceeds is less than the aggregate Offered Price of all Notes
tendered.
 
     (e) The Company will comply to the extent applicable with the requirements
of the tender offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any
other applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with an Excess
Proceeds Offer.
 
     Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends, in cash or otherwise,
or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, (b) pay
any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (c)
make Investments in the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (d) transfer
any of its properties or assets to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary or (e) guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing
under or by reason of (i) any agreement in effect on the date of the Indenture
and listed on Schedule A attached to the Indenture, (ii) applicable law or
judicial or regulatory action, (iii) customary non-assignment provisions of any
lease governing a leasehold interest of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, (iv) any agreement or other instrument
 
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of a Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in existence at
the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof), which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or
assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the
Person, so acquired and the Subsidiaries of such Person, (v) any mortgage or
other Lien on real property acquired or improved by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture that prohibit transfers of
the type described in (d) above with respect to such real property, (vi) any
encumbrance or restriction contained in contracts for sales of assets permitted
by the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenant with respect to the assets to be
sold pursuant to such contract; (vii) any such customary encumbrance or
restriction contained in a security document creating a Permitted Lien (other
than a Lien securing Indebtedness under a Bank Credit Agreement or a Vendor
Credit Facility) to the extent relating to the property or asset subject to such
Permitted Lien; (viii) any agreement or other instrument governing any
Indebtedness under any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Credit Facility if such
encumbrance or restriction applies only (x) to amounts which at any point in
time (other than during such periods as are described in clause (y)) (1) exceed
amounts due and payable (or which are to become due and payable within 30 days)
in respect of the Notes or the Indenture for interest, premium and principal
(after giving effect to any realization by the Company under any applicable
Currency Agreement), or (2) if paid, would result in an event described in the
following clause (y) of this sentence, or (y) during the pendency of any event
that causes, permits or, after notice or lapse of time, would cause or permit
the holder(s) of the Indebtedness governed by such agreement or instrument to
declare any such Indebtedness to be immediately due and payable or require cash
collateralization or cash cover for such Indebtedness for so long as such cash
collateralization or cash cover has not been provided; or (ix) the refinancing
of Indebtedness incurred under the agreements listed on Schedule A attached to
the Indenture or described in clause (v) above, so long as such encumbrances or
restrictions are no less favorable in any material respect to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary than those contained in the respective agreement as in
effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
     Insurance. (a) The Company will maintain launch insurance covering the
period from the launch to 180 days following the launch of such satellite in an
amount equal to or greater than the sum of (i) the cost to replace such
satellite with a satellite of comparable or superior technological capability
(as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and having at least as much
transmission capacity as the satellite to be replaced, (ii) the cost to launch a
replacement satellite pursuant to the contract whereby a replacement satellite
will be launched and (iii) the cost of launch insurance for such replacement or,
in the event that the Company has reason to believe that the cost of obtaining
comparable insurance for a replacement would be materially higher, the Company's
best estimate of the cost of such comparable insurance. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to maintain insurance pursuant to
this paragraph (a) with respect to (i) the launch of its first satellite and
(ii) any subsequent launch not preceded by a launch failure or failure of any
satellite within 180 days from the date of its launch; provided that the
Company's spare satellite shall be under construction in accordance with the
terms of the Loral Satellite Contract or the Company shall have otherwise
obtained a spare satellite.
 
     (b) The Company will maintain full in-orbit insurance with respect to each
satellite it owns and launches in an amount at least equal to (i) the cost to
replace such satellite with a satellite of comparable or superior technological
capability (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall
be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and having at least as much
transmission capacity as such owned satellites, (ii) the cost to launch each
such satellite pursuant to the contract pursuant to which a replacement
satellite will be launched and (iii) the cost of launch insurance for such
replacement or, in the event that the Company has reason to believe that the
cost of obtaining comparable insurance for a replacement would be materially
higher, the Company's best estimate of the cost of such comparable insurance.
The in-orbit insurance required by this paragraph will provide that if 50% or
more of a satellite's capacity is lost, the full amount of insurance will become
due and payable, and that if a satellite is able to maintain more than 50% but
less than 100% of its capacity, a portion of such insurance will become due and
payable.
 
     (c) In the event that the Company receives proceeds from insurance relating
to any satellite, the Company may use all or a portion of such proceeds to repay
any vendor or third-party purchase money
 
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financing pertaining to such satellite that is required to be repaid by reason
of the loss giving rise to such insurance proceeds. The Company shall use the
remainder of such proceeds to develop and construct a replacement satellite;
provided that (i) such replacement satellite is of comparable or superior
technological capability as compared with the satellite being replaced and has
at least as much transmission capacity as the satellite being replaced (as
determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive
and evidenced by a Board Resolution); (ii) the Company will have sufficient
funds (together with the proceeds of any business interruption insurance) to
service the Company's projected debt service requirements until the scheduled
launch of the Company's spare satellite and for one year thereafter and to
develop and construct such replacement satellite and (iii) that the Company's
spare satellite is scheduled to be launched within 12 months of the receipt of
such proceeds. Any such proceeds not used as permitted by this paragraph shall
constitute 'Excess Proceeds' for purposes of the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets'
covenant.
 
     Provision of Financial Statements and Reports. The Company will file on a
timely basis with the Commission, to the extent such filings are accepted by the
Commission and whether or not the Company has a class of securities registered
under the Exchange Act, the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents that the Company would be required to file if it were subject to
Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act. The Company will also be required (a) to
file with the Trustee, and provide to each holder of Notes, without cost to such
holder, copies of such reports and documents within 15 days after the date on
which the Company files such reports and documents with the Commission or the
date on which the Company would be required to file such reports and documents
if the Company were so required, and (b) if filing such reports and documents
with the Commission is not accepted by the Commission or is prohibited under the
Exchange Act, to supply at the Company's cost copies of such reports and
documents to any prospective holder of Notes promptly upon written request.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
     The Company will not in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or sell,
assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
of its properties and assets as an entirety to any Person or Persons, and the
Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to enter into any such
transaction, or series of transactions, if such transaction or series of
transactions, in the aggregate, would result in the sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis to any Person or Persons, unless: (i) either (a) the Company
shall be the surviving corporation or (b) the Person (if other than the Company)
formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries is merged or the Person which acquires by sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, all or substantially all of
the properties and assets of the Company or the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, (the 'Surviving Entity') (1) shall be a
corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States
of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (2) shall
expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental to the Indenture executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the Company's
obligations for the due and punctual payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any, on) and interest on all the Notes and the performance and observance of
every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or
observed; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any obligation of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of such transaction
as having been incurred of the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (on
the assumption that the transaction or series of transactions occurred on the
first day of the latest four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial
statements of the Company are available prior to the consummation of such
transaction or series of transactions with the appropriate adjustments with
respect to the transaction or series of transactions, including the incurrence
and repayment of any Indebtedness incident to such transaction, being included
in such pro forma calculation), the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the
Company is not the continuing obligor under the Indenture) could incur at least
$1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) under the
proviso to the
 
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'Limitation on Indebtedness' covenant; (iv) if any of the property or assets of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would thereupon become subject
to any Lien, the provisions of the 'Limitation on Liens' covenant are complied
with; and (v) the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or
other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with the terms of the
Indenture.
 
     Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition of all of substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company in accordance with the immediately
preceding paragraph in which the Company is not the continuing obligor under the
Indenture, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, with the
same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company therein. When a
successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Indenture and
the Notes, the predecessor shall be released from those obligations; provided
that in the case of a transfer by lease, the predecessor shall not be released
from the payment of principal and interest on the Notes.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following will be 'Events of Default' under the Indenture:
 
          (i) default in the payment of any interest on any Note when it becomes
     due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
 
          (ii) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on
     any Note at its Maturity;
 
          (iii) default in the performance, or breach, of the provisions
     described in 'Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets', the failure to
     make or consummate a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the
     provisions of the 'Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control' covenant or
     the failure to make or consummate an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance
     with the provisions of the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenant;
 
          (iv) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
     agreement of the Company contained in the Indenture (other than a default
     in the performance, or breach, of a covenant or warranty which is
     specifically dealt with elsewhere in the Indenture) and continuance of such
     default or breach for a period of 30 days after written notice shall have
     been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee
     by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of
     the Notes then outstanding;
 
          (v) (A) one or more defaults in the payment of principal of or
     premium, if any, on Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary
     aggregating $5.0 million or more, when the same becomes due and payable at
     the Stated Maturity thereof, and such default or defaults shall have
     continued after any applicable grace period and shall not have been cured
     or waived or (B) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary aggregating
     $5.0 million or more shall have been accelerated or otherwise declared due
     and payable, or required to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by
     regularly scheduled required prepayment) prior to the Stated Maturity
     thereof;
 
          (vi) one or more final judgments, orders or decrees of any court or
     regulatory agency shall be rendered against the Company or any Subsidiary
     or their respective properties for the payment of money, either
     individually or in an aggregate amount, in excess of $5.0 million and
     either (A) an enforcement proceeding shall have been commenced by any
     creditor upon such judgment or order or (B) there shall have been a period
     of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment
     or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, was not in effect; or
 
          (vii) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
     reorganization with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary.
 
     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause
(vii) above) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not
less than 25% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes then
outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such notice
is given by the holders), may, and the Trustee upon the written request of such
holders, shall
 
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<PAGE>
declare the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all of
the outstanding Notes immediately due and payable, and upon any such declaration
all such amounts payable in respect of the Notes shall become immediately due
and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) above occurs and
is continuing, then the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and accrued interest
on all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due
and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or
any holder of Notes.
 
     At any time after a declaration of acceleration under the Indenture, but
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by
the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity
of the outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid or
deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all overdue interest on
all outstanding Notes, (ii) all unpaid Accreted Value of and premium, if any, on
any outstanding Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of
acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes, (iii) to the
extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest
and overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, (iv) all sums paid or
advanced by the Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of amounts of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes that has become due solely by such
declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission shall
affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
     The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of the outstanding Notes may, on behalf of the holders of all the
Notes, waive any past defaults under the Indenture, except a default in the
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, or in
respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each Note outstanding.
 
     If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is known
to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to each holder of the Notes notice of the
Default or Event of Default within 30 days after the occurrence thereof. Except
in the case of a Default or an Event of Default in payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Notes, the Trustee may withhold the notice
to the holders of such Notes if a committee of its trust officers in good faith
determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the holders of the
Notes.
 
     The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee annual and quarterly
statements as to the performance by the Company of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. The Company is also
required to notify the Trustee within five business days of the occurrence of
any Default.
 
DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the
obligations of the Company upon the Notes discharged with respect to the
outstanding Notes ('defeasance'). Such defeasance means that the Company will be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the
outstanding Notes and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such
Notes and the Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned, except for (i) the
rights of holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the
principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on such Notes when such
payments are due, (ii) the Company's obligations to issue temporary Notes,
register the transfer or exchange of any Notes, replace mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Notes, maintain an office or agency for payments in respect of
the Notes and segregate and hold such payments in trust, (iii) the rights,
powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and (iv) the defeasance
provisions of the Indenture. In addition, the Company may, at its option and at
any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company released with respect to
certain covenants set forth in the Indenture, and any omission to comply with
such obligations shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with
respect to the Notes ('covenant defeasance').
 
     In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance, (i) the
Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, as
trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security
 
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<PAGE>
for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the Notes, cash in
United States dollars, or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the
Indenture), or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants,
or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, to pay and discharge the
Accreted Value of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the outstanding
Notes at Stated Maturity (or upon redemption, if applicable) of such principal,
premium, if any, or installment of interest; (ii) no Default or Event of Default
with respect to the Notes will have occurred and be continuing on the date of
such deposit or, insofar as an event of bankruptcy under clause (viii) of
' -- Events of Default' above is concerned, at any time during the period ending
on the 91st day after the date of such deposit; (iii) such defeasance or
covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture)
to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) in the case of
defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel in the United States stating that the Company has received from, or
there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the
effective date of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part, there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either
case to the effect, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the
holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject
to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; (v) in
the case of covenant defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee
an Opinion of Counsel in the United States to the effect that the holders of the
Notes outstanding will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; (vi) in
the case of defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States to the effect that
after the 91st day following the deposit or after the date such opinion is
delivered, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally; (vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with
the intent of preferring the holders of the Notes over the other creditors of
the Company with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of
the Company; and (viii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance or the
covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
     The Indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving
rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as expressly
provided for in the Indenture) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company,
will execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the
Indenture when (i) either (a) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and
delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Notes which have been replaced
or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust with the
Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and
thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust as provided for
in the Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (b) all
Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become
due and payable, (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within
one year or (z) are to be called for redemption within one year under
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption
by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company
has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust
funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the
entire Indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, for Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and
payable) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be; (ii)
the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable under the Indenture
by the Company; and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
 
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Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided in the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge
of the Indenture have been complied with.
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
     With certain exceptions, modifications and amendments of the Indenture may
be made by a supplemental indenture entered into by the Company and the Trustee
with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
amount at maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note
affected thereby, (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note, or reduce the Accreted Value thereof or
the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof,
or change the coin or currency in which any Note or any premium or the interest
thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of
redemption, on or after the redemption date); (ii) reduce the percentage in
principal amount at maturity of outstanding Notes, the consent of whose holders
is required for any such supplemental indenture or the consent of whose holders
is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of, or certain
defaults and their consequences provided for under, the Indenture; (iii) modify
any provisions described under ' -- Amendments and Waivers' or ' -- Events of
Default,' except to increase the percentage of outstanding Notes required for
such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot
be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Note; or (iv) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and
consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of Control or an
Excess Proceeds Offer in connection with any Asset Sale or modify any of the
provisions or definitions with respect thereto.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of Notes,
the Company and the Trustee may modify or amend the Indenture: (a) to evidence
the succession of another Person to the Company or any other obligor on the
Notes, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company
or such obligor in the Indenture and in the Notes in accordance with
' -- Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets'; (b) to add to the covenants of
the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes for the benefit of the holders
of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or
any other obligor upon the Notes, as applicable, in the Indenture or in the
Notes; (c) to cure any ambiguity, or to correct or supplement any provision in
the Indenture or the Notes which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision in the Indenture or the Notes or make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture or the Notes;
provided that, in each case, such provisions shall not adversely affect the
interest of the holders of such Notes; (d) to comply with the requirements of
the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act; (e) to add a guarantor of the Notes under the
Indenture; (f) to evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a
successor Trustee under the Indenture; or (g) to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate
or grant a security interest in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the
holders of the Notes as additional security for the payment and performance of
the Company's obligations under the Indenture, in any property, or assets,
including any of which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or
in which a security interest is required to be granted to the Trustee pursuant
to the Indenture or otherwise.
 
     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
Notes outstanding may waive compliance with certain restrictive covenants and
provisions of the Indenture.
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of
Default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth
in the Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture
and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent Person
would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person's own
affairs.
 
     The Indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, incorporated by
reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the Trustee thereunder,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of
 
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any such claims, as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in
other transactions; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting
interest (as defined) it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     'Accreted Value' is defined to mean, for any Specified Date, the amount
calculated pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) below for each $1,000
principal amount at maturity of Notes:
 
          (i) if the Specified Date occurs on one or more of the following dates
     (each a 'Semi-Annual Accrual Date'), the Accreted Value will equal the
     amount set forth below for such Semi-Annual Accrual Date:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    SEMI-ANNUAL                                       ACCRETED
                                   ACCRUAL DATE                                        VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------   --------
<S>                                                                                   <C>
June 1, 1998.......................................................................   $ 521.58
December 1, 1998...................................................................   $ 560.07
June 1, 1999.......................................................................   $ 602.75
December 1, 1999...................................................................   $ 647.96
June 1, 2000.......................................................................   $ 696.56
December 1, 2000...................................................................   $ 748.80
June 1, 2001.......................................................................   $ 804.96
December 1, 2001...................................................................   $ 865.33
June 1, 2002.......................................................................   $ 930.23
December 1, 2002...................................................................   $  1,000
</TABLE>
    
 
          (ii) if the Specified Date occurs before the first Semi-Annual Accrual
     Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a) the original issue price
     and (b) an amount equal to the product of (1) the Accreted Value for the
     first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the original issue price multiplied by
     (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the date
     of the Indenture to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve
     30-day months, and the denominator of which is the number of days elapsed
     from the date of the Indenture to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date, using
     a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
 
          (iii) if the Specified Date occurs between two Semi-Annual Accrual
     Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a) the Accreted Value for
     the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such Specified Date and
     (b) an amount equal to the product of (1) the Accreted Value for the
     immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the Accreted Value for
     the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date multiplied by (2) a
     fraction the numerator of which is the number of days from the immediately
     preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day
     year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is 180; or
 
          (iv) if the Specified Date occurs after the last Semi-Annual Accrual
     Date, the Accreted Value will equal $1,000.
 
     'Acquired Indebtedness' means Indebtedness of a Person (a) existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) assumed in connection
with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than
Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition; provided that, for
purposes of the 'Limitation on Indebtedness' covenant, such Indebtedness shall
be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from
any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     'Adjusted Consolidated Operating Cash Flow' means Consolidated Operating
Cash Flow for the latest four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial
statements of Company are available, taken as a whole. For purposes of
calculating 'Consolidated Operating Cash Flow' for any four fiscal quarter
 
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period for purposes of this definition, (i) all Restricted Subsidiaries of the
Company on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate
'Adjusted Consolidated Operating Cash Flow' (the 'Transaction Date') shall be
deemed to have been Restricted Subsidiaries at all times during such four fiscal
quarter period and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary on the Transaction Date
shall be deemed to have been an Unrestricted Subsidiary at all times during such
four fiscal quarter period. In addition to and without limitation of the
foregoing, for purposes of this definition, 'Consolidated Operating Cash Flow'
shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the applicable
four fiscal quarter period to, without duplication, (i) any Asset Sales or Asset
Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise
to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result
of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise being liable for
Acquired Indebtedness) occurring during the period commencing on the first day
of such four fiscal quarter period to and including the Transaction Date (the
'Reference Period'), as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition occurred on the
first day of the Reference Period and (ii) any incurrence or repayment,
retirement or permanent reduction of any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary during the Reference Period, as if such incurrence,
repayment, retirement or reduction occurred on the first day of the Reference
Period.
 
     'Affiliate' means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person or (ii) any other Person that
owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of such specified Person's Voting
Stock or any executive officer or director of any such specified Person or other
Person or, with respect to any natural Person, any Person having a relationship
with such Person by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first
cousin. For the purposes of this definition, 'control,' when used with respect
to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies
of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms 'controlling' and
'controlled' have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
     'Arianespace Agreement' means, collectively, the two Customer Loan
Agreements, each dated July 22, 1997, between the Company and Arianespace S.A.,
as either such agreement is from time to time amended or supplemented in
accordance with its terms.
 
     'Asset Acquisition' means (i) any capital contribution (by means of
transfers of cash or other property to others or payments for property or
services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person, or any acquisition or purchase of
Capital Stock of any other Person by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
in either case pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted
Subsidiary or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (ii) any acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the assets of any Person which constitute substantially all of an operating
unit or line of business of such person or which is otherwise outside of the
ordinary course of business.
 
     'Asset Sale' means any direct or indirect sale, conveyance, transfer or
lease (that has the effect of a disposition and is not for security purposes) or
other disposition (that is not for security purposes) to any Person other than
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, of (i) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) any
material license or other authorization of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, (iii) any assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which
constitute substantially all of an operating unit or line of business of the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iv) any other property or asset of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of
business. For the purposes of this definition, the term 'Asset Sale' shall not
include (i) any disposition of properties and assets of the Company that is
governed by the provisions of the Indenture described under ' -- Consolidation,
Merger and Sale of Assets' above, (ii) sales of property or equipment that have
become worn out, obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in
connection with the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, (iii) sales of accounts receivable by the Company for cash in an
amount at least equal to the fair market value of such accounts receivable, (iv)
for purposes of the covenant 'Limitation on Sale of Assets,' any sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of any property or asset,
whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, involving assets
with a Fair Market Value not in excess of $250,000 in any twelve-month period
and (v) sales of rights to the
 
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Company's transmissions outside the continental United States and outside the
ordinary course of the Company's business if (a) after giving effect to such
sale and for a six month period thereafter, the Company and the Restricted
Subsidiaries shall have no Indebtedness outstanding under any Bank Credit
Agreement, (b) the consideration received by the Company for such sale is at
least 80% cash or Cash Equivalent and (c) the proceeds of such sale are used by
the Company for working capital or as provided in clause (i) or (ii) of
paragraph (b) of the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenant.
 
     'Attributable Indebtedness' means with respect to an operating lease
included in any Sale and Leaseback Transaction at the time of determination, the
present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if not
known, at the Company's incremental borrowing rate) of the obligations of the
lessee of the property subject to such lease for rental payments during the
remaining term of the lease included in such transaction, including any period
for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be
extended, or until the earliest date on which the lessee may terminate such
lease without penalty or upon payment of penalty (in which case the rental
payments shall include such penalty), after excluding from such rental payments
all amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs,
insurance, taxes, assessments, water, utilities and similar charges.
 
     'Average Life' means, as of the date of determination with respect to any
Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products of
(i) the number of years from the date of determination to the date or dates of
each successive scheduled principal payment (including, without limitation, any
sinking fund requirements) of such Indebtedness multiplied by (ii) the amount of
each such principal payment by (b) the sum of all such principal payments.
 
   
     'Bank Credit Agreement' means any one or more credit agreements (which may
include or consist of revolving credit agreements or similar arrangements)
between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and one or more banks or other
financial institutions providing financing for the business of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
    
 
     'Bankruptcy Law' means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or
any similar United States federal or state law, or any similar law of any other
jurisdiction, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, winding-up,
liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or any amendment to, succession
to or change in any such law.
 
     'Board of Directors' means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
duly authorized committee thereof.
 
   
     'Bond Collateral' has the meaning specified in the definition of Permitted
Liens.
    
 
     'Capital Stock' of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights
to purchase, warrants, options, participations, rights in or other equivalents
(however designated) of such Person's capital stock or other equity
participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, in
such Person, including any Preferred Stock, and any rights (other than debt
securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or options exchangeable for
or convertible into such capital stock, whether now outstanding or issued after
the date of the Indenture.
 
     'Capitalized Lease Obligation' of any Person means any obligation of such
Person and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis under a lease of (or other
agreement conveying the right to use) any property (whether real, personal or
mixed) that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease
obligation under GAAP, and, for the purpose of the Indenture, the amount of such
obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such date,
determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
     'Cash Equivalents' means (i) any evidence of Indebtedness with a maturity
of 180 days or less issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that
the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support
thereof); (ii) certificates of deposit or acceptances with a maturity of 180
days or less of any financial institution that is a member of the Federal
Reserve System, in each case having combined capital and surplus and undivided
profits of not less than $500,000,000; and (iii) commercial paper with a
maturity of 180 days or less issued by a corporation that is not an Affiliate of
the Company and is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or
the District of Columbia and rated at least A-1 by S&P or at least P-l by
Moody's and (iv) any money market mutual fund organized under
 
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the laws of the United States or any state thereof whose assets consist solely
of cash or the foregoing instruments.
 
     'CD Radio Assets' means all assets, rights, services and properties,
whether tangible or intangible, used or intended for use in connection with a CD
Radio Business, including, without limitation, satellites, terrestrial repeating
stations, uplink facilities, musical libraries and other recorded programming,
furniture, fixtures and equipment and telemetry, tracking, monitoring and
control equipment.
 
     'CD Radio Business' means the business of transmitting digital radio
programming throughout the United States by satellite to be received by paying
subscribers, including, without limitation, any business in which the Company is
engaged on the date of the Indenture, and any business reasonably related
thereto.
 
     'Change of Control' means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) any 'person' or 'group' (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act), other than a Permitted Holder, is or becomes the
'beneficial owner' (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and l3d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a Person shall be deemed to have 'beneficial ownership' of all
securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 40% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the
Company; (b) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into another
Person or conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with
or merges with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction
in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is not
converted or exchanged at all (except to the extent necessary to reflect a
change in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company) or is converted into
or exchanged for (A) Voting Stock (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) of the
surviving or transferee corporation or (B) Voting Stock (other than Redeemable
Capital Stock) of the surviving or transferee corporation and cash, securities
and other property (other than Capital Stock of the Surviving Entity) in an
amount that could be paid by the Company as a Restricted Payment as described
under the 'Limitation on Restricted Payments' covenant and (ii) immediately
after such transaction, no 'person' or 'group' (as such terms are used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is the 'beneficial owner' (as
defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person
shall be deemed to have 'beneficial ownership' of all securities that such
Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of
the total outstanding Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee corporation;
(c) during any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at the beginning of
such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any
new directors whose election to such Board of Directors, or whose nomination for
election by the stockholders of the Company, was approved by a vote of 66 2/3%
of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning
of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company then in office; or (d) the Company is liquidated or
dissolved or a special resolution is passed by the shareholders of the Company
approving the plan of liquidation or dissolution other than in a transaction
which complies with the provisions described under 'Consolidation, Merger and
Sales of Assets.'
 
     'Closing Price' on any Trading Day with respect to the per share price of
any shares of Capital Stock means the last reported sale price regular way or,
in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the
reported closing bid and asked prices regular way, in either case on the New
York Stock Exchange or, if such shares of Capital Stock are not listed or
admitted to trading on such exchange, on the principal national securities
exchange on which such shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if not
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations National Market
System or, if such shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange or quoted on such automated quotation system but the issuer
is a Foreign Issuer (as defined in Rule 3b-4(b) of the Exchange Act) and the
principal securities exchange on which such shares are listed or admitted to
trading is a Designated Offshore Securities Market (as defined in Rule 902(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), the
 
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<PAGE>
average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way on such
principal exchange, or, if such shares are not listed or admitted to trading on
any national securities exchange or quoted on such automated quotation system
and the issuer of such shares and/or principal securities exchange or quoted on
such automated quotation system and the issuer of such shares and/or principal
securities exchange do not meet such requirements, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any New York
Stock Exchange member firm that is selected from time to time by the Company for
that purpose.
 
     'Common Stock' means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated
and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person's common stock or ordinary
shares, whether outstanding at the date of the Indenture, and includes, without
limitation, all series and classes of such common stock or ordinary shares.
 
     'Consolidated Income Tax Expense' means, with respect to any period, the
provision for United States corporation, local, foreign and other income taxes
of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on
a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
     'Consolidated Interest Expense' means, for any period, without duplication,
the sum of (a) the interest expense of the Company and the Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, (i) amortization of
original issue discount, (ii) the net cost of Interest Rate Agreements
(including amortization of discounts), (iii) the interest portion of any
deferred payment obligation, (iv) accrued interest, (v) the consolidated amount
of any interest capitalized by the Company, and (vi) all commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance financing, plus (b) the interest component of Capitalized Lease
Obligations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries paid, accrued and/or
scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period, in each case as determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (c) cash and non-cash
dividends paid on Redeemable Capital Stock by the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (to any Person other than the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary),
in each case as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus
(d) to the extent included in the calculation of interest expense, the
amortization of underwriting discounts and commissions and fees related to the
issuance of the Notes; provided that the Consolidated Interest Expense
attributable to interest on any Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and
(A) bearing a floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect
on the date of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period
and (B) which was not outstanding during the period for which the computation is
being made but which bears, at the option of the Company, a fixed or floating
rate of interest, shall be computed by applying, at the option of the Company,
either the fixed or the floating rate.
 
     'Consolidated Net Income' means, for any period, the consolidated net
income (or loss) of the Company and all Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by excluding, without
duplication, (a) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses (less all fees
and expenses relating thereto), (b) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all
fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions other
than in the ordinary course of business, (c) the portion of net income (or loss)
of any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), including
Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has
an ownership interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other
distributions actually paid to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash
dividends or distributions during such period, (d) net income (or loss) of any
Person combined with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary on a 'pooling of
interests' basis attributable to any period prior to the date of combination,
(e) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent that the
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted
Subsidiary is not at the date of determination permitted, directly or
indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders and (f) any
non-cash items of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary (including monetary
corrections) increasing or decreasing Consolidated Net Income for such period
(other than items that will result in the receipt or payment of cash).
 
     'Consolidated Operating Cash Flow' means, with respect to any period, the
Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period increased by (in each case to the extent included in computing
consolidated Net Income) the sum of (i) the Consolidated Income Tax
 
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Expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries accrued according to GAAP
for such period (other than taxes attributable to extraordinary, unusual or
non-recurring gains or losses); (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period; (iii) depreciation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period; and (iv) amortization of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, amortization of
capitalized debt issuance costs for such period, all determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
     'Cumulative Available Cash Flow' means, as at any date of determination,
the positive cumulative Consolidated Operating Cash Flow realized during the
period commencing on the first day of the first month following the date of the
Indenture and ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter
immediately preceding the date of determination for which consolidated financial
information of the Company is available or, if such cumulative Consolidated
Operating Cash Flow for such period is negative, the negative amount by which
cumulative Consolidated Operating Cash Flow is less than zero.
 
     'Currency Agreement' means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into by a Person
that is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.
 
     'Default' means any event that after notice or passage of time or both
would be an Event of Default.
 
     'Disinterested Director' means, with respect to any transaction or series
of transactions in respect of which the Board of Directors is required to
deliver a resolution of the Board of Directors under the Indenture, a member of
the Board of Directors who does not have any material direct or indirect
financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of
transactions.
 
     'Exchange Act' means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
     'Fair Market Value' means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale
value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction between an informed
and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer
under no compulsion to buy.
 
     'Generally Accepted Accounting Principles' or 'GAAP' means generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, that
are in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
     'guarantee' means, as applied to any obligation, (a) a guarantee (other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of
such obligation and (b) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of all or
any part of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the
payment of amounts drawn down by letters of credit.
 
     'Indebtedness' means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether
or not contingent, (a) all liabilities of such Person for borrowed money
(including overdrafts) or for the deferred purchase price of property or
services, excluding any trade payables and other accrued current liabilities
(including outstanding disbursements) incurred in the ordinary course of
business (whether or not evidenced by a note), but including, without
limitation, all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in
connection with any letters of credit and acceptances issued under letter of
credit facilities, acceptance facilities or other similar facilities, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar instruments, (c) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller
or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
repossession or sale of such property), but excluding trade accounts payable
arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (e) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not
excluded from) the preceding clauses of other Persons and all dividends of other
Persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by)
any Lien upon or with respect to property (including, without limitation,
accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has
not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (the amount of
such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or
asset or the amount of the obligation so secured), (f) all guarantees by such
Person of Indebtedness referred to in this definition of any other
 
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Person, (g) all Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person valued at the greater of
its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued and
unpaid dividends, (h) all obligations of such Person under or in respect of
Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements and (i) all Attributable
Indebtedness of such Person. For purposes hereof, the 'maximum fixed repurchase
price' of any Redeemable Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase
price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable
Capital Stock as if such Redeemable Capital Stock were purchased on any date on
which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture,
and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such
Redeemable Capital Stock, such fair market value shall be determined in good
faith by the board of directors of the issuer of such Redeemable Capital Stock.
For purposes of the 'Limitation on Indebtedness' and 'Limitation on Restricted
Payments' covenants and the definition of 'Events of Default,' in determining
the principal amount of any Indebtedness to be incurred by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or which is outstanding at any date, (x) the principal
amount of any Indebtedness which provides that an amount less than the principal
amount at maturity thereof shall be due upon any declaration of acceleration
thereof shall be the Accreted Value thereof at the date of determination and (y)
effect shall be given to the impact of any Currency Agreement with respect to
such Indebtedness.
 
     'Interest Rate Agreements' means any interest rate protection agreement and
other types of interest rate hedging agreements or arrangements (including,
without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar
agreements) designed to protect against or manage exposure to fluctuations in
interest rates in respect of Indebtedness.
 
     'Investment' means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
advance, loan or other extension of credit or capital contribution to (by means
of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property
or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase, acquisition or
ownership by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other
securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued or owned by any other Person and
all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Fair Market Value of the net
assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary
is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an 'Investment'
made by the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at such time. 'Investments'
shall exclude extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in
accordance with normal trade practices.
 
     'Lien' means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise),
privilege, security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim, or
preference or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property
of any kind, real or personal, movable or immovable, now owned or hereafter
acquired. A Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which
such Person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor
under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention
agreement.
 
     'Loral Satellite Purchase Contract' means the Contract No. SS/L-TP93002-01,
dated March 2, 1993, among the Company and Loral Space Systems, Inc., as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
 
     'Maturity' means, with respect to any Note, the date on which any principal
of such Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at
the Stated Maturity with respect to such principal or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption or purchase or otherwise.
 
     'Moody's' means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
 
     'Net Cash Proceeds' means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect of
deferred payment obligations or escrowed funds, but only when received in the
form of, or stock or other assets when disposed for, cash or Cash Equivalents
(except to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold with recourse
to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), net of (i) brokerage commissions
and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel,
accountants, consultants and investment banks) related to such Asset Sale, (ii)
provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (iii) payments
made to retire Indebtedness where payment of such Indebtedness is secured by the
assets or properties the subject of such Asset Sale or becomes due and payable
as a result thereof, (iv) amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the
assets subject to the Asset Sale and (v) appropriate amounts to be provided by
the Company or
 
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any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve required in
accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and
retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after
such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other
post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental
matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with
such Asset Sale, all as reflected in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee and (b) with respect to any capital contribution or issuance or sale of
Capital Stock as referred to under the 'Limitation on Restricted Payments'
covenant, the proceeds of such capital contribution, issuance or sale in the
form of cash or Cash Equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred
payment obligations when received in the form of, or stock or other assets when
disposed for, cash or Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such
obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary), net of attorney's fees, accountant's fees and brokerage,
consultation, financial, advisory, underwriting and other fees and expenses
actually incurred in connection with such capital contribution, issuance or sale
and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
 
     'Pari Passu Indebtedness' means Indebtedness of the Company that is pari
passu in right of payment to the Notes.
 
     'Permitted Holder' means Loral Space & Communications Ltd. and Arianespace
S.A.
 
     'Permitted Indebtedness' means any of the following:
 
          (a) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred
     under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor Credit Facilities,
     in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50 million at any one time
     outstanding;
 
          (b) Indebtedness of the Company incurred under the Arianespace
     Agreement and Loral Satellite Purchase Contract, in an aggregate principal
     amount not to exceed $145 million at any one time outstanding;
 
          (c) Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to the Notes or the Warrants
     or of any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a guarantee of the Notes;
 
          (d) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
     outstanding on the date of the Indenture and listed on a schedule thereto;
 
          (e) Indebtedness of the Company owing to any Restricted Subsidiary;
     provided that any Indebtedness of the Company owing to any such Restricted
     Subsidiary is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes from and after
     such time as the Notes shall become due and payable (whether at Stated
     Maturity, acceleration or otherwise) to the payment and performance of the
     Company's obligations under the Notes; provided further that any
     disposition, pledge or transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person (other
     than a disposition, pledge or transfer to the Company or another Restricted
     Subsidiary) shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the
     Company not permitted by this clause (e);
 
          (f) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or to
     a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that any disposition, pledge or transfer
     of any such Indebtedness to a Person (other than a disposition, pledge or
     transfer to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed to be
     an incurrence of such Indebtedness by such Restricted Subsidiary not
     permitted by this clause (f);
 
          (g) obligations of the Company entered into in the ordinary course of
     business (i) pursuant to bona fide Interest Rate Agreements designed to
     protect the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in
     interest rates in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary, which obligations do not exceed the aggregate principal amount
     of such Indebtedness, and (ii) pursuant to bona fide Currency Agreements
     entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and
     designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in currency values in
     respect of its (x) assets or (y) obligations;
 
   
          (h) Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations of
     the Company, the aggregate value (in the case of Capitalized Lease
     Obligations) or principal amount (in the case of Purchase Money
     Obligations) of which (including any refinancings (as defined in clause (m)
     below) thereof) does not exceed $20 million at any one time outstanding,
     less the amount of any
    
 
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     Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations outstanding
     which are included in the amount of Indebtedness permitted under clause (d)
     above;
    
 
          (i)(x) Indebtedness of the Company incurred on or prior to December
     31, 2000 (such that, after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, the
     total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under this clause
     (i)(x) and any refinancings thereof pursuant to clause (m) below would not
     exceed 125% of Total Incremental Equity; and (y) Indebtedness incurred by
     the Company after December 31, 2000 such that, after giving effect to the
     incurrence thereof, the total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness
     incurred under this clause (i)(y) and any refinancings thereof pursuant to
     clause (m) below would not exceed the sum of (1) 125% of the Total
     Incremental Equity on December 31, 2000 plus the total aggregate principal
     amount of Indebtedness incurred under clause (i)(x) and any refinancings
     thereof pursuant to clause (m) below, and (2) 100% of the difference
     between the Total Incremental Equity on the date of incurrence and the
     Total Incremental Equity on December 31, 2000;
 
   
          (j) Indebtedness incurred (i) by the Company in an aggregate principal
     amount not to exceed $60 million at any one time outstanding to finance the
     operation of CD Radio Assets or the construction, expansion, development or
     acquisition of music libraries and other recorded programming, furniture,
     fixtures and equipment, provided that immediately prior to incurring such
     Indebtedness, the Total Incremental Equity shall equal or exceed $40
     million and (ii) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to finance the
     purchase, construction, launch, insurance and other costs with respect to
     Satellite Assets for use in the CD Radio Business; provided that the net
     cash proceeds from the issuance of such Indebtedness does not exceed, as of
     the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness, 100% of the cost of such
     Satellite Assets less the aggregate principal amount of other Indebtedness
     that was incurred to finance such Satellite Assets;
    
 
   
          (k) unsecured Indebtedness of the Company incurred to finance the
     operation of CD Radio Assets or the construction, expansion, development or
     acquisition or music libraries and other recorded music programming,
     furniture, fixtures and equipment if such Indebtedness has an Average Life
     longer than the Average Life of the Notes and has a final Stated Maturity
     of Principal later than the Stated Maturity of principal of the Notes;
    
 
          (l) in addition to the items referred to in clauses (a) through (k)
     above, Indebtedness of the Company having an aggregate principal amount not
     to exceed $15 million at any time outstanding; and
 
   
          (m) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the
     extent it represents a replacement, renewal, refinancing, refunding or
     extension of outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary incurred or outstanding pursuant to clauses (b), (c), (d), (i),
     (j) (ii) and (k) of this definition or the proviso of the covenant
     'Limitation on Indebtedness'; provided that (i) Indebtedness of the Company
     may not be replaced, renewed, refinanced, refunded or extended to such
     extent under this clause (m) with Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary
     and (ii) any such replacement, renewal, refinancing, refunding or extension
     (x) shall not result in a lower Average Life of such Indebtedness as
     compared with the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced,
     refunded or extended, (y) shall not exceed the sum of the principal amount
     (or, if such Indebtedness provides for a lesser amount to be due and
     payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, an amount no greater
     than such lesser amount) of the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed,
     refinanced, refunded or extended plus the amount of accrued interest
     thereon and the amount of any reasonably determined prepayment premium
     necessary to accomplish such replacement, renewal, refinancing, refunding
     or extension and the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection
     therewith, and (z) in the case of any replacement, renewal, refinancing,
     refunding or extension by the Company of Pari Passu Indebtedness or
     Subordinated Indebtedness, such new Indebtedness is made pari passu with or
     subordinate to the Notes, at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness
     being replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended.
    
 
          'Permitted Investments' means (a) Cash Equivalents; (b) Investments in
     prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease,
     utility and workers' compensation, performance and other similar deposits;
     (c) loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of
     business; (d) Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements; (e) bonds,
     notes, debentures or other securities received as a result of Asset Sales
     permitted under the 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenant, provided that
     the Company and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries, as the
 
                                       91
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     case may be, have received at least 80% of the aggregate consideration
     therefrom in cash or Cash Equivalents; (f) Investments by the Company or
     any Restricted Subsidiary in another Person, if as a result of such
     Investment (i) such other Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii)
     such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or
     conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, the Company or a
     Restricted Subsidiary; (g) Investments in the Company or in any Restricted
     Subsidiary and (h) investments not otherwise permitted by the foregoing
     clauses (a) through (g) in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any one
     time outstanding.
 
          'Permitted Liens' means the following types of Liens:
 
          (a) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture;
 
   
          (b) Liens securing Indebtedness under any Vendor Credit Facility or
     Bank Credit Agreement incurred pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of
     Permitted Indebtedness so long as such Liens do not extend to (i) shares of
     Satellite CD Radio, Inc. or (ii) any License owned by Satellite CD Radio,
     Inc. that is required to operate a CD Radio business ('Bond Collateral');
    
 
   
          (c) Liens securing Indebtedness under the Arianespace Agreement and
     the Loral Satellite Purchase Contract;
    
 
          (d) Liens on any property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted
     in favor of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (e) Liens securing the Notes;
 
          (f) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness created prior to (and not in
     connection with or in contemplation of) the incurrence of such Indebtedness
     by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Lien does
     not extend to any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary other than the assets acquired in connection with the incurrence
     of such Acquired Indebtedness;
 
          (g) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease
     Obligation or any Purchase Money Obligation, in each case as permitted
     under clause (h) of the definition of 'Permitted Indebtedness', and Liens
     securing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness attributable to Cost
     Overruns) incurred pursuant to clause (j)(ii) of the definition of
     Permitted Indebtedness so long as such Lien does not extend to any property
     or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than (x)
     satellites and (y) other Satellite Assets securing Indebtedness incurred
     to ArianeSpace S.A., Space Systems/Loral, Inc. or any of their Affiliates
     (other than Bond Collateral);
 
          (h) statutory Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen,
     mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other like Liens arising in
     the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
     and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good
     faith by appropriate proceeding promptly instituted and diligently
     proceeding and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any,
     as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;
 
          (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, government charges or claims that
     are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by
     appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and
     for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
     required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;
 
          (j) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of
     tenders, bids, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
     government contracts, performance bonds and other obligations of a like
     nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than contracts
     for the payment of money);
 
          (k) easements, rights-of-way, encroachments and survey defects
     restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in
     any material respect with the business of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (l) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any
     court or arbitration proceeding so long as such Lien is adequately bonded
     and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for
     the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally
     terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated
     shall not have expired;
 
                                       92
 

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<PAGE>
   
          (m) Liens securing obligations of the Company under Interest Rate
     Agreements or Currency Agreements or any collateral (other than Bond
     Collateral) for the Indebtedness to which such Interest Rate Agreements or
     Currency Agreements relate;
    
 
          (n) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business
     in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
     types of social security;
 
   
          (o) Liens securing reimbursement obligations of the Company or any
     Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit that encumber
     documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the
     products and proceeds thereof so long as such Liens do not extend to Bond
     Collateral;
    
 
   
          (p) any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part, of any
     Lien described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) (with respect to
     extensions, renewals or replacements, (i) securing Indebtedness incurred to
     Arianespace S.A., Space Systems/Loral, Inc. or any of their Affiliates or
     (ii) on assets that are not Bond Collateral) or (d) through (o); provided
     that any such extension, renewal or replacement shall be no more
     restrictive in any material respect than the Lien so extended, renewed or
     replaced and shall not extend to any additional property or assets;
    
 
   
          (q) Liens on Bond Collateral securing Indebtedness of the Company
     incurred pursuant to clause (i), (j)(i) or (l) of the definition of
     Permitted Indebtedness; provided that each such Lien shall be equal and
     ratable in priority to the Lien on the Bond Collateral securing the Notes;
     and
    
 
          (r) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company
     or any shareholder Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that
     do not exceed $5 million at any one time outstanding.
 
     'Person' means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.
 
     'Preferred Stock' means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of such
Person's preferred or preference stock whether now outstanding, or issued after
the Closing Date, and including, without limitation, all classes and series of
preferred or preference stock of such Person.
 
   
     'Purchase Money Obligations' means Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary (i) issued to finance or refinance the purchase or
construction of any assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii)
issued to finance the construction of satellite dish antennas or radio adapters
to receive the Company's services or (iii) secured by a Lien on any assets of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary where the lender's sole recourse is to
the assets so encumbered, (a) in the case of clauses (i) or (iii) above, to the
extent the purchase or construction prices for such assets are or should be
included in 'addition to property, plant or equipment' in accordance with GAAP
and (b) in each case, if the purchase or construction of such assets is not part
of any acquisition of a Person or business unit.
    
 
     'Qualified Capital Stock' of any person means any and all Capital Stock of
such person other than Redeemable Capital Stock.
 
     'Redeemable Capital Stock' means any class or series of Capital Stock that,
either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or exchangeable or by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of an
event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior to the final
Stated Maturity of the Notes or is redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof at any time prior to such final Stated Maturity, or is convertible into
or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such final Stated
Maturity; provided, however, that Redeemable Capital Stock shall not include any
Common Stock the holder of which has a right to put to the Company upon certain
terminations of employment and provided further that any class or series of
Capital Stock that would not constitute Redeemable Capital Stock but for
provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require the issuer of
such Capital Stock to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the
occurrence of an 'asset sale' or 'change of control' occurring prior to the
final Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Redeemable Capital Stock
if the 'asset sale' or 'change of control' provisions applicable to such class
or series of Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such Capital
Stock in any material respect than the provisions of the 'Purchase of Notes Upon
a Change of Control' and 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenants and such class
or series of Capital Stock specifically provides
 
                                       93
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
that the issuer of such Capital Stock will not repurchase or redeem any such
stock pursuant to such provision prior to the Company's repurchase of such Notes
as are required to be purchased pursuant to the 'Purchase of Notes Upon a Change
of Control' or 'Limitation on Sale of Assets' covenant, as applicable.
 
     'Restricted Subsidiary' means a Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
 
     'S&P' means Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
McGraw-Hill, Inc. and its successors.
 
     'Sale and Leaseback Transaction' means an arrangement by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary with any lender or investor or to which such lender or
investor is a party providing for the leasing by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary of any property or asset of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
which has been or is being sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary not more than 270 days after the acquisition thereof to such lender
or investor or any Affiliate thereof or to any Person to whom funds have been or
are to be advanced by such lender or investor or any Affiliate thereof on the
security of such property or asset.
 
     'Satellite Assets' means satellites, terrestial repeating stations, uplink
facilities and telemetry, tracking, monitoring and control equipment.
 
     'Series C Preferred Stock' means the 10 1/2% Series C Convertible Preferred
Stock of the Company.
 
     'Stated Maturity' means, when used with respect to any Note or any
installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Note as the fixed
date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of interest is due
and payable, and, when used with respect to any other Indebtedness, means the
date specified in the instrument governing such Indebtedness as the fixed date
on which the principal of such Indebtedness, or any installment of interest
thereon, is due and payable.
 
     'Stock Offerings' means (i) the offering of 2,800,000 shares of Common
Stock in the United States and Canada and (ii) the offering of 700,000 shares of
Common Stock outside the United States and Canada, both of which offerings are
registered under the Securities Act on a Form S-3 Registration Statement (No.
333-34767).
 
   
     'Subordinated Indebtedness' means Indebtedness of the Company that is
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.
    
 
     'Subsidiary' means any Person a majority of the equity ownership or Voting
Stock of which is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or
by one or more other Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more other
Subsidiaries.
 
     'Total Consolidated Indebtedness' means, at any date of determination, an
amount equal to the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of determination.
 
     'Total Incremental Equity' means, at any date of determination, the sum of,
without duplication (i) the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company
after January 1, 1998 from the issuance or sale of Qualified Capital Stock of
the Company (including Capital Stock issued upon the conversion of convertible
Indebtedness or from the exercise of options, warrants or rights to purchase
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company) to any Person other than a Subsidiary;
plus (ii) an amount equal to the sum of (1) the net reduction in Investments in
any Person (other than Permitted Investments) resulting from the payment in cash
of dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets, in
each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the
Indenture from such Person and (2) the portion (proportionate to the Company's
equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets
of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is
designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that in the case of (1)
or (2) above the foregoing sum shall not exceed the amount of Investments
previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary and that
constitutes a Restricted Payment that has been deducted from Total Incremental
Equity pursuant to clause (iii) below, minus (iii) the aggregate amount of all
Restricted Payments declared or made on or after the date of the Indenture and
minus (iv) the aggregate amount paid pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv),
(vi) and (viii) of the second paragraph of the 'Limitation on Restricted
Payments' covenant.
 
   
     'Trading Day' with respect to a securities exchange or automated quotation
system means a day on which such exchange or system is open for a full day of
trading.
    
 
     'Trust Indenture Act' means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
                                       94
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     'Unrestricted Subsidiary' means (a) any Subsidiary that at the time of
determination shall be an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Board of
Directors, as provided below) and (b) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that in no event shall any Person that is a
Restricted Subsidiary on the date of the Indenture become an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any newly acquired or newly
formed Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as (i) neither the
Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or indirectly liable for any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary, (ii) no default with respect to any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or
otherwise) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment
thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity, (iii) neither
the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has a contract, agreement,
arrangement, understanding or obligation of any kind, whether written or oral,
with such Subsidiary other than those that might be obtained at the time from
persons who are not Affiliates of the Company and (iv) neither the Company nor
any Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation (1) to subscribe for additional
shares of Capital Stock or other equity interest in such Subsidiary or (2) to
maintain or preserve such Subsidiary's financial condition or to cause such
Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation
by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by
filing a board resolution with the Trustee giving effect to such designation.
The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted
Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such designation, there would
be no Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and the Company could
incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness)
pursuant to the 'Limitation on Indebtedness' covenant.
 
   
     'Vendor Credit Facility' means any credit facility (other than the
Arianespace Agreement and the Loral Satellite Purchase Contract) entered into
with any vendor or supplier (or any financial institution acting on behalf of
such a vendor or supplier); provided that the Indebtedness thereunder is
incurred solely for the purpose of financing the cost (including the cost of
design, development, construction, or integration) of CD Radio Assets.
    
 
     'Voting Stock' means, with respect to any Person, any class or classes of
Capital Stock pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting
power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of
directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether or not,
at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might have,
voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
 
                                       95


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Warrants will be issued under a Warrant Agreement (the 'Warrant
Agreement') between the Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as
Warrant Agent (the 'Warrant Agent'), a form of which has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The
following summary of certain provisions of the Warrant Agreement does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the Warrants and the Warrant Agreement,
including the definitions of certain terms contained therein.
    
 
   
     Each Warrant will entitle the registered holder thereof, subject to and
upon compliance with the provisions thereof and of the Warrant Agreement, at
such holder's option, and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on December 4,
1997 (the 'Expiration Date') to acquire from the Company $3,000 principal amount
at maturity of Notes (the 'Warrant Securities'). Each Warrant may be exercised
on any business day on or after its date of issuance and on or prior to the
Expiration Date. Any Warrant not exercised before the close of business on the
Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights of the holder under the
Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant and under the Warrant Agreement
shall cease.
    
 
EXERCISE
 
   
     Warrants may be exercised by surrendering the Warrant Certificate
evidencing such Warrants with the form of election to acquire Notes set forth on
the reverse side thereof duly completed and executed by the holder thereof at
the office or agency designated for such purpose, which will initially be the
corporate trust office or agency of the Warrant Agent in New York, New York.
Each Warrant may only be exercised in whole.
    
 
   
     Subject to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Certificates
evidencing the Warrants may be surrendered for exercise or exchange, and the
transfer of Warrant Certificates will be registerable, at the office or agency
of the Company maintained for such purpose, which initially will be the
corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent in New York, New York. The Warrant
Certificates will be issued in global form. No service charge will be made for
any exercise, exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates, but
the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
    
 
   
DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS; MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
    
 
     Holders of Warrants will not be entitled, by virtue of being such holders,
to have any rights of holders of Notes.
 
     To the extent permitted in the Indenture, the Company may consolidate with
or merge into another corporation or other entity, or convey or transfer all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any other corporation or other
entity. In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and
upon any assumption of the duties and obligations of the Company by the
successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be
substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named in the
Warrant Agreement, and the Company shall be relieved of any further obligation
under the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. Such successor corporation
thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the
name of the Company, any or all of the Warrant Securities issuable pursuant to
the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. All the Warrant Securities
so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under the
Indenture as the Warrant Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in
accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the Indenture.
 
     The Warrant Agreement permits, with certain exceptions, the amendment
thereof and the modification of rights and obligations of the Company and the
rights of the holders of Warrant Certificates under the Warrant Agreement and at
any time by the Company and the Warrant Agent with the consent of the holders of
Warrant Certificates representing a majority in number of then outstanding
Warrants.
 
                                       96
 

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<PAGE>
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Company will file the reports required to be filed by it under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules, regulations and policies
adopted by the Commission thereunder in a timely manner in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and if at any time the
Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any
holder or beneficial owner of Warrants, make available such information as
necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
 
   
     The Company will also agree to comply with all applicable laws, including
the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, in connection with
the offer and sale of Notes (and other securities and property deliverable),
upon exercise of the Warrants.
    
 
   
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
    
 
     The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides
for authorized capital of 250,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $0.001 per share.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     As of September 30, 1997, the Company had 12,577,884 shares of Common Stock
outstanding held of record by 105 persons, and had reserved for issuance
3,763,000 shares of Common Stock with respect to outstanding options and
warrants, including 1,800,000 shares pursuant to warrants exercisable at $50.00
per share and expiring in 2005.
 
     Holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to cast one vote for
each share held of record on all matters acted upon at any stockholders' meeting
and to dividends if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available therefor. There are no cumulative voting rights. In the event
of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each holder of the
Company's Common Stock will be entitled to participate, subject to the rights of
any outstanding Preferred Stock, ratably in all assets of the Company remaining
after payment of liabilities. Holders of the Company's Common Stock have no
preemptive or conversion rights. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and
the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be when issued against the
consideration set forth in this prospectus, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
     The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol 'CDRD.'
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Board of Directors has the authority to issue shares of Preferred Stock
in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions thereof including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting
rights, redemption rights, liquidation preferences and the number of shares
constituting any series, without any further vote or action by the stockholders.
The issuance of Preferred Stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely
affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock. In addition, because the
terms of such Preferred Stock may be fixed by the Board of Directors without
stockholder action, the Preferred Stock could be designated and issued quickly
in the event the Company determines to issue preferred stock to raise additional
equity capital. The Preferred Stock could also be designated and issued with
terms calculated to deter, delay or defeat a proposed takeover of the Company,
or with terms making the removal of management more difficult. Under certain
circumstances, this could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the
Common Stock. Otherwise, the Company currently has no plans to issue Preferred
Stock.
 
5% DELAYED CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     On March 19, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of up to
8,000,000 shares of the 5% Preferred Stock. As of September 30, 1997, there were
5,222,608 shares of the 5% Preferred Stock outstanding held of record by 37
entities. The Company has agreed to grant a warrant to purchase an additional
486,000 shares of 5% Preferred Stock at a price of $25.00 per share to Libra
Investments, Inc.
 
                                       97
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
('Libra'), the original placement agent for the 5% Preferred Stock. If the
Exchange Offer is consummated, the Company will instead grant Libra a warrant to
purchase 121,500 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a price of $100.00 per
share.
 
10 1/2% SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     On October 13, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of up
to 7,000,000 shares of the 10 1/2% Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the
'Series C Preferred Stock'). On October 16, 1997, the Company offered to
exchange up to 1,932,073 shares of its Series C Preferred Stock for up to all of
the outstanding shares of its 5% Preferred Stock upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
 
     Dividends. The annual dividend rate per share of the Series C Preferred
Stock will be an amount equal to 10.5% of the sum of (x) the Liquidation
Preference (as defined herein) of the Series C Preferred Stock and (y) all
accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, whether or not declared, from the date of
issuance of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to the applicable dividend
payment date. Dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock will be
cumulative, accruing quarterly and, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors of the Company, will be payable quarterly initially on November 15,
2002 (the 'First Scheduled Dividend Payment Date') and on February 15, May 15,
August 15 and November 15 of each year (each, a 'Dividend Payment Date') in each
year thereafter. In addition, accrued dividends on the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock will be paid on the redemption date of any share of Series C
Preferred Stock redeemed by the Company, on the purchase date of any share of
Series C Preferred Stock purchased by the Company pursuant to an Offer to
Purchase (as defined herein) or on the conversion date of any share of Series C
Preferred Stock converted into shares of Common Stock on or after the First
Scheduled Dividend Payment Date. No accrued dividends will be paid on any shares
of Series C Preferred Stock that are converted by the holders thereof prior to
the First Scheduled Dividend Payment Date, unless such shares of Series C
Preferred Stock are converted on or prior to a redemption date by holders
thereof electing to convert such shares after having received a notice of
redemption for such shares. Dividends may be paid in cash, shares of Common
Stock or any combination thereof, at the option of the Company. Common Stock
issued to pay dividends will be valued at the average closing price of the
Common Stock as reported in The Wall Street Journal for the 20 consecutive
trading days immediately preceding the date of such payment. Dividends with
respect to any share of Series C Preferred Stock will accumulate from November
15, 1997.
 
     If and so long as any full cumulative dividends payable on the shares of
Series C Preferred Stock in respect of all prior dividend periods will not have
been paid or set apart for payment, the Company will not pay any dividends or
make any distributions of assets on or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a
par with the Series C Preferred Stock in payment of dividends.
 
     Redemption. Except as described below, the shares of Series C Preferred
Stock may not be redeemed by the Company at its option prior to November 15,
2002. From and after November 15, 1999 and prior to November 15, 2002, the
Company may redeem shares of Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at
any time at a redemption price of 100% of the Liquidation Preference of the
shares of Series C Preferred Stock redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid dividends,
if any, whether or not declared, to the redemption date, if the average closing
price of the Common Stock as reported in The Wall Street Journal for the 20
consecutive trading days prior to the notice of redemption thereof equals or
exceeds $31.50 per share (subject to adjustments). From and after November 15,
2002, the Company may redeem shares of Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in
part, at the following redemption prices per
 
                                       98
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
share, expressed as percentages of the Liquidation Preference thereof, if
redeemed during the 12-month period beginning November 15 in the year indicated
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 YEAR                                     PERCENTAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>                                                                       <C>
2002...................................................................      105.25%
2003...................................................................      103.50
2004...................................................................      101.75
2005 and thereafter....................................................      100.00
</TABLE>
 
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to the redemption
date.
 
     Following the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, within 30 days of
the closing date of the first offering by the Company of debt securities in
excess of $50,000,000 pursuant to a registration statement filed with the
Commission under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, the Company may redeem up to 50% of the outstanding shares of
Series C Preferred Stock at a redemption price of 100% of the Liquidation
Preference of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock redeemed, plus accrued and
unpaid dividends, if any, whether or not declared, to the redemption date. On
November 15, 2012 (the 'Mandatory Redemption Date'), the Company is required to
redeem all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a redemption price
of 100% of the Liquidation Preference of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock,
plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, whether or not declared, to the
Mandatory Redemption Date.
 
     The amount paid to the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock upon
redemption which is allocable to the Liquidation Preference of the shares of
Series C Preferred Stock shall be paid in cash and the amount of any accrued and
unpaid dividends to be paid on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock redeemed
shall be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof at the
option of the Company.
 
     Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company
must make an offer to purchase (an 'Offer to Purchase') all then outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a purchase price (the 'Change in Control
Purchase Price') in cash equal to 101% of their Liquidation Preference, plus all
accrued and unpaid dividends (paid in cash), if any, whether or not declared, to
the date such shares are purchased (the 'Change in Control Purchase Date'). A
'Change in Control' is defined as the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) any 'person' or 'group' (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act), other than Loral Space, Arianespace or David Margolese is
or becomes the 'beneficial owner' (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have 'beneficial
ownership' of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time),
directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the total outstanding voting stock
of the Company; (b) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into
another person or conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, or any person consolidates with
or merges with or into the Company, in any such event, pursuant to a transaction
in which the outstanding voting stock of the Company is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than, at all times when
the Notes are outstanding, those transactions that are not deemed a 'Change of
Control' under the terms of the Indenture; (c) during any consecutive two-year
period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election to such
Board of Directors, or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the
Company, was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office;
or (d) the Company is liquidated or dissolved or a special resolution is passed
by the shareholders of the Company approving the plan of liquidation or
dissolution, other than, at all times when the Notes are outstanding, those
transactions that are not deemed a 'Change of Control' under the terms of the
Indenture.
 
     Conversion. Each share of Series C Preferred Stock may be converted at any
time, at the option of the holder, unless previously redeemed, into a number of
shares of Common Stock calculated by dividing the Liquidation Preference of the
Series C Preferred Stock (without accrued and unpaid
 
                                       99
 

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<PAGE>
dividends) by a conversion price (the 'Conversion Price') equal to (x) prior to
the date of the first underwritten public offering of the Company's Common Stock
following the initial issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, $21.00 and (y)
thereafter, the lower of $21.00 per share or the issue price per share of the
Common Stock in such underwritten public offering. The Conversion Price will not
be adjusted at any time for accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of Series
C Preferred Stock, but will be subject to adjustment for the occurrence of
certain corporate events affecting the Common Stock. Upon conversion, at any
time after the First Scheduled Dividend Payment Date, holders of the Series C
Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive all accrued and unpaid dividends
upon the shares of Series C Preferred Stock converted payable in cash or shares
of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, at the option of the Company. No
accrued dividends will be paid on any shares of Series C Preferred Stock that
are converted by the holders thereof prior to the First Scheduled Dividend
Payment Date, unless such shares of Series C Preferred Stock are converted prior
to a redemption date by holders thereof electing to convert such shares after
having received a notice of redemption for such shares. Common Stock issued to
pay dividends will be valued at the average closing price of the Common Stock as
reported in The Wall Street Journal for the 20 consecutive trading days
immediately preceding the date of such payment.
 
     The Conversion Price for shares of Series C Preferred Stock is subject to
adjustment in certain events, including (i) dividends and other distributions
payable in Common Stock on any class of capital stock of the Company, (ii) the
issuance to all holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase Common Stock at less than fair market value, (iii)
subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of the Common Stock, (iv)
distributions to all holders of Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of the
Company or assets and (v) a consolidation or merger to which the Company is a
party or the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company.
 
     Automatic Exchange. If the Company has not consummated one or more
Qualifying Offerings yielding gross proceeds in an aggregate cash amount of at
least $100 million by May 15, 1998 (the 'Automatic Exchange Date'), all
outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be exchanged automatically
(the 'Automatic Exchange') for shares of the Series D Preferred Stock, with an
initial liquidation preference of $102.50 on the Automatic Exchange Date, at an
exchange rate of one share of Series D Preferred Stock for each $100 of
Automatic Exchange Rate Liquidation Preference represented by the shares of
Series C Preferred Stock held by any holder. The 'Automatic Exchange Rate
Liquidation Preference' for the shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be
$69.6145 per share (the amount determined by multiplying (x) the Liquidation
Preference for the Series C Preferred Stock (without accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon), by (y) 0.696145.) The Company will pay cash to holders of
Series C Preferred Stock in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Series D
Preferred Stock in the Automatic Exchange. Although holders of Series C
Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive accrued dividends thereon on or
after the Automatic Exchange Date, shares of Series D Preferred Stock will be
issued with an initial liquidation preference equal to $102.50. For a
description of the terms, preferences and rights of the Series D Preferred
Stock, see ' -- Series D Preferred Stock.'
 
     In the event of an Automatic Exchange, the Company will give written notice
to the holders of record on the Automatic Exchange Date of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock at their addresses appearing on the books of the Company that
the shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been automatically exchanged into
shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The notice of exchange will specify the
number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock into which the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock have been automatically exchanged and the place where the
holders are to deliver the certificates evidencing shares of Series C Preferred
Stock in exchange for certificates evidencing shares of Series D Preferred
Stock. Thereafter, the holders will surrender their certificates evidencing
shares of Series C Preferred Stock at the place designated in the notice of
exchange. As promptly as practicable after receipt of such certificates, the
Company will issue and deliver to each holder a certificate or certificates for
the number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock to which such holder is
entitled. Shares of Series D Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been
exchanged immediately prior to the close of business on the Automatic Exchange
Date and the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock of record on such date
shall be treated for all purposes as the record holders of the Series D
Preferred Stock at such time.
 
                                      100
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     Voting Rights. Other than the consent rights described below with respect
to certain corporate actions, and except as otherwise provided by applicable
law, holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.
Consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C
Preferred Stock will be required before the Company may take certain corporate
actions, including (i) any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the
provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws which affects
adversely the voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of the shares
of Series C Preferred Stock, (ii) the authorization or creation of, or the
increase in authorized amount of, any shares of any class or series of equity
securities that ranks senior to or on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock
with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up or
dissolution and (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
any other entity, unless the resulting corporation will thereafter have no class
or series of shares and no other securities either authorized or outstanding
ranking prior to, or on a parity with, the Series C Preferred Stock in the
payment of dividends or the distribution of its assets on liquidation,
dissolution or winding up. In addition, in the event that (i) after the First
Scheduled Dividend Payment Date, dividends payable on the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an aggregate amount equal to at least six
quarterly dividend payments, (ii) the Company fails to redeem all of the
outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Redemption Date,
or (iii) the Company fails to make an Offer to Purchase upon a Change in
Control, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C
Preferred Stock, voting as a class, will be entitled to elect (i) one director
in the event that there are seven or fewer directors on the Board of Directors
at such time or (ii) two directors in the event that there are eight or more
directors on the Board of Directors at such time.
 
     In exercising the voting rights set forth herein or when otherwise granted
voting rights by operation of law, each share of Series C Preferred Stock will
be entitled to one vote per share.
 
     No consent of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be required
for (i) the creation of any indebtedness of any kind of the Company or (ii) the
authorization or issuance of any class of capital stock of the Company ranking
junior to the Series C Preferred Stock in payment of dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
 
     Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, before any distribution of the assets
of the Company to the holders of shares of Common Stock or any other capital
stock of the Company ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of
Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Company available for distribution to its stockholders, whether from capital,
surplus or earnings, an amount per share of Series C Preferred Stock equal to
$100.00 (the 'Liquidation Preference'), plus accrued and unpaid dividends on
such share of Series C Preferred Stock, if any, to the date of final
distribution.
 
     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, before any distribution of assets of the Company to
the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock or any capital stock of the
Company ranking on a par with the shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the
holders of any shares of capital stock of the Company ranking senior to the
Series C Preferred Stock and such parity stock (including the shares of 5%
Preferred Stock in the event not all shares of 5% Preferred Stock are exchanged
or otherwise redeemed in the Exchange Offer) shall be entitled to receive out of
the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders,
whether from capital, surplus or earnings, an amount per share of such senior
stock equal to the liquidation preference thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon, if any, to the date of final distribution.
 
     If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the
amounts payable with respect to the shares of Series C Preferred Stock or any
capital stock ranking on a par with the shares of Series C Preferred Stock are
not paid in full, then such holders will share ratably in any such distribution
of assets, or proceeds thereof, in proportion to the full respective
preferential amounts to which they are entitled. Neither a consolidation nor a
merger of the Company with one or more other corporations, nor a sale or a
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, will be
deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company.
 
                                      101
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK
 
     On October 13, 1997, the Board of Directors approved the issuance of up to
7,000,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. Shares of Series D Preferred Stock
will be issued in the event of an Automatic Exchange with respect to the New
Preferred Stock. See ' -- 10 1/2% Series C Convertible Preferred
Stock -- Automatic Exchange.'
 
NEW CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Pursuant to a binding Summary Term Sheet/Commitment (the 'Commitment')
dated June 15, 1997 among Everest Capital International, Ltd., Everest Capital
Fund, L.P., The Ravich Revocable Trust of 1989 (together 'Everest') and the
Company, Everest committed to purchase from the Company, and the Company
committed to sell to Everest in a private placement, up to $58 million of a new
series of convertible preferred stock (the 'New Convertible Preferred Stock') in
conjunction with a financing by the Company to yield gross proceeds of $150
million or more in 'new money,' subject to certain conditions. Everest can
satisfy its obligation to purchase the New Convertible Preferred Stock by either
exchanging some or all of the 5% Preferred Stock it currently holds or by paying
cash. The terms of the New Convertible Preferred Stock differ substantially from
the terms of the New Preferred Stock. If Everest pursues its right to purchase
the New Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Commitment and seeks to
enforce the Company's obligations thereunder, the Company may be required to
issue the New Convertible Preferred Stock. Everest has not made known to the
Company its intentions with respect to the Commitment and its current holding of
5% Preferred Stock.
 
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
     On October 22, 1997, the Board of Directors adopted a stockholders rights
plan and, in connection with the adoption of such plan, declared a dividend
distribution of one 'Right' for each outstanding share of Common Stock (a
'Common Share') of the Company to stockholders of record at the close of
business on November 3, 1997 (the 'Rights Record Date'). Except as set forth
below, each Right will entitle the registered holder thereof to purchase from
the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series B Preferred Stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the 'Series B Shares'), at a purchase price of $115.00 (the
'Purchase Price'), subject to adjustment. The Purchase Price shall be paid in
cash. The description and terms of the Rights will be set forth in a Rights
Agreement (the 'Rights Agreement') to be entered into by the Company and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
 
     Initially, no separate Right Certificates will be distributed and the
Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any Common Shares outstanding on the
Rights Record Date, by the certificates representing such Common Shares. Until
the Separation Date (as defined below), the Rights will be transferred with, and
only with, Common Share certificates. Until the earlier of the Separation Date
and the redemption or expiration of the Rights, new Common Share certificates
issued after the Rights Record Date will contain a notation incorporating the
Rights Agreement by reference. The Rights are not exercisable until the earlier
to occur of (a) 10 business days following a public announcement that a person
or group of affiliated or associated persons (an 'Acquiring Person') has
acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more
of the outstanding Common Shares (except by reason of (i) exercise by such
person of stock options granted to such person by the Company pursuant to any
stock option or similar plan of the Company (ii) the exercise of conversion
rights contained in specified classes of Preferred Stock, or (iii) the exercise
of Warrants owned on the date of the Rights Agreement to acquire Common Shares
deemed to be benefically owned by such person on such date, which will include
warrants to acquire 1,740,000 Common Shares to be issued to an affiliate of
Everest Capital Fund, Ltd.) or (b) 15 business days following the commencement
of a tender offer or exchange offer by any person (other than the Company, any
subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan thereof) if, upon
consummation hereof, such person or group would be the beneficial owner of 15%
or more of such outstanding Common Shares (the earlier of such dates being
called the 'Separation Date'), and will expire on October 22, 2002, unless
earlier redeemed by the Company as described below. As soon as practicable
following the Separation Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights
('Right Certificates') will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares
as of the close of business on the Separation Date and, thereafter, such
separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the
 
                                      102
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
Rights. A holder of 15% or more of the Common Stock as of the date of the Rights
Agreement will be excluded from the definition of 'Acquiring Person' unless such
holder increases the aggregate percentage of its and its affiliates' beneficial
ownership interest in the Company by an additional 1%.
 
     In the event that, at any time following the Separation Date, (a) the
Company is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person and
the Company's Common Shares are not changed or exchanged, (b) a person (other
than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan
thereof), together with its Affiliates and Associates (as defined in the Rights
Agreement), becomes an Acquiring Person (in any manner, except pursuant to (i)
the exercise of stock options granted pursuant to the Company's existing and
future stock option plans, (ii) the exercise of conversion rights contained in
specified Preferred Stock issues of the Company, (iii) the exercise of certain
warrants specified in the Rights Agreement and (iv) a tender offer for any and
all outstanding Common Shares made in accordance with applicable laws, which
remains open for at least 40 Business Days and into which holders of 80% or more
of the Company's outstanding Common Shares tender their shares), (c) an
Acquiring Person engages in one or more 'self-dealing' transactions as set forth
in the Rights Agreement or (d) during such time as there is an Acquiring Person,
an event occurs (e.g., a reverse stock split), that results in such Acquiring
Person's ownership interest being increased by more than one percent, the Rights
Agreement provides that proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right will thereafter be entitled to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the
then current exercise price of the Right, Common Shares (or, in certain
circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a value
equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     In the event that, at any time following the first date of public
announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person indicating that an Acquiring
Person has become such (the 'Shares Acquisition Date'), (a) the Company
consolidates or merges with another person and the Company is not the surviving
corporation, (b) the Company consolidates or merges with another person and is
the surviving corporation, but in such transaction its Common Shares are changed
or exchanged or (c) 50% or more of the Company's assets or earning power is sold
or transferred, the Rights Agreement provides that proper provision shall be
made so that each holder of a Right shall thereafter have the right to receive,
upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right,
common shares of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the
exercise price of the Right.
 
     The Board may, at its option, at any time after the right of the Board to
redeem the Rights has expired or terminated (with certain exceptions), exchange
all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (other than those
held by the Acquiring Person and Affiliates and Associates of the Acquiring
Person) for Common Shares at a ratio of one Common Share per Right, as adjusted;
provided, however, that such Right cannot be exercised once a Person, together
with such Person's Affiliates and Associates, becomes the beneficiary owner of
50% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding. If the Board authorizes such
an exchange, the Rights will immediately cease to be exercisable.
 
     Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of
the events set forth in the fourth and fifth paragraphs of this section, any
Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person or Affiliate or
Associate thereof shall immediately become null and void. The Rights Agreement
contains provisions intended to prevent the utilization of voting trusts or
similar arrangements (except for the voting arrangement between two of the
Company's principal stockholders and the Company) that could have the effect of
rendering ineffective or circumventing the beneficial ownership rules set forth
in the Rights Agreement.
 
     The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Series B Shares or other
securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (a) in the event of a dividend
of Series B Shares on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Series B Shares, (b) upon the grant to holders of the Series B Shares of certain
rights or warrants to subscribe for Series B Shares or securities convertible
into Series B Shares at less than the current market price of the Series B
Shares or (c) upon the distribution to holders of the Series B Shares of debt
securities or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends and dividends
payable in Series B Shares) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than
those referred to above).
 
                                      103
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     At any time after the date of the Rights Agreement until ten Business Days
(as defined in the Rights Agreement) (a period that can be extended) following
the Shares Acquisition Date, the Board of Directors, with the concurrence of a
majority of the Independent Directors (those members of the Board who are not
officers or employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company and who
are not Acquiring Persons or their Affiliates, Associates, nominees or
representatives, and who either (a) were members of the Board prior to the
adoption of the Rights Plan or (b) were subsequently elected to the Board and
were recommended for election or approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors then on the Board), may redeem the Rights, in whole but not in part,
at a price of $0.01 per Right, subject to adjustment (the 'Redemption Price').
Thereafter, the Board may only redeem the Rights in certain specified
circumstances including in connection with certain events not involving an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person. In
addition, the Company's right of redemption may be reinstated if (a) an
Acquiring Person reduces its beneficial ownership to 10% or less of the
outstanding Common Shares in a transaction or series of transactions not
involving the Company and (b) there is at such time no other Acquiring Person.
The Rights Agreement may also be amended, as described below, to extend the
period of redemption.
 
     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to shareholders or to the Company, shareholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for Common Shares (or other consideration) of the Company or for
common shares of the Acquiring Person as set forth above.
 
     Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the
Rights or imposing limitations on the right to amend the Agreement, any of the
provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board with the
concurrence of a majority of the Independent Directors or by special approval of
the stockholders of the Company prior to the Separation Date. Thereafter, the
period during which the Rights may be redeemed may be extended (by action of the
Board, with the concurrence of a majority of the Independent Directors or by
special approval of the stockholders of the Company), and other provisions of
the Rights Agreement may be amended by action of the Board with the concurrence
of a majority of the Independent Directors or by special approval of the
shareholders of the Company; provided, however, that (a) such amendment will not
adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of
any Acquiring Person) and (b) no amendment shall be made at such time as the
Rights are no longer redeemable (except for the possibility of the right of
redemption being reinstated as described above).
 
DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
 
     Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ('Section 203')
generally provides that a stockholder acquiring more than 15% of the outstanding
voting stock of a corporation subject to the statute (an 'Interested
Stockholder') but less than 85% of such stock may not engage in certain Business
Combinations (as defined in Section 203) with the corporation for a period of
three years after the time the stockholder became an Interested Stockholder
unless (i) prior to such time, the corporation's board of directors approved
either the Business Combination or the transaction in which the stockholder
became an Interested Stockholder or (ii) the Business Combination is approved by
the corporation's board of directors and authorized at a stockholders' meeting
by a vote of at least two-thirds of the corporation's outstanding voting stock
not owned by the Interested Stockholder. Under Section 203, these restrictions
will not apply to certain Business Combinations proposed by an Interested
Stockholder following the earlier of the announcement or notification of one of
certain extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and a person who
was not an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years, who became an
Interested Stockholder with the approval of the corporation's board of directors
or who became an Interested Stockholder at a time when the restrictions
contained in Section 203 did not apply for reasons specified in Section 203, if
such extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of the
directors who were directors prior to such person becoming an Interested
Stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or
elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors.
 
                                      104
 

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<PAGE>
     Section 203 defines the term 'Business Combination' to encompass a wide
variety of transactions with or caused by an Interested Stockholder, including
transactions in which the Interested Stockholder receives or could receive a
benefit on other than a pro rata basis with other stockholders, transactions
with the corporation which increase the proportionate interest in the
corporation directly or indirectly owned by the Interested Stockholder or
transactions in which the Interested Stockholder receives certain other
benefits.
 
     The provisions of Section 203, coupled with the Board's authority to issue
preferred stock without further stockholder action, could delay or frustrate the
removal of incumbent directors or a change in control of the Company. The
provisions also could discourage, impede or prevent a merger, tender offer or
proxy contest, even if such event would be favorable to the interests of
stockholders. The Company's stockholders, by adopting an amendment to the
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the 'Certificate'),
may elect not to be governed by Section 203 effective 12 months after such
adoption. Neither the Certificate nor the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws
exclude the Company from the restrictions imposed by Section 203.
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock, the 5% Preferred
Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, New York, New York.
   
    
 
                    CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The federal income tax discussion set forth below summarizes certain United
States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to holders of the
Units, Warrants and Notes who are United States Persons (as defined below) and
hold their Units, Warrants and Notes as capital assets ('Holders'). The
discussion is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a complete
analysis or listing of all potential tax considerations that may be relevant to
such Holders of the Units, Warrants and Notes. The discussion does not include
special rules that may apply to certain holders (including insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers, and persons
holding the Units, Notes and Warrants as part of a 'straddle,' 'hedge' or
'conversion transaction,' and investors who are not United States Persons), and
does not address the tax consequences of the law of any state, locality or
foreign jurisdiction. The discussion is based upon currently existing provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), existing and
proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and current administrative
rulings and court decisions. All of the foregoing are subject to change and any
such change could affect the continuing validity of this discussion.
 
   
     There is currently no authority regarding the tax treatment of an
instrument such as the Unit. Therefore, the correct treatment of such instrument
is not clear.
    
 
     As used herein, 'United States Person' means a beneficial owner of the
Units, Notes or Warrants who or that (i) is a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) is a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized
in or under the laws of the United States or political subdivision thereof,
(iii) is an estate the income of which is subject to U.S federal income taxation
regardless of its source, (iv) is a trust if (A) a U.S. court is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (B) one or
more U.S. fiduciaries have authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust, or (v) is otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income
basis in respect of the Units, Notes or Warrants, as the case may be.
 
THE UNITS
 
   
     There is no authority under applicable Treasury regulations regarding the
treatment of instruments such as the Warrants. However, because each Warrant
entitles the holder thereof to acquire $150 face amount of Senior Discount Notes
for no additional consideration, the Company intends to take the position, based
upon general principles of federal income tax law, that the Warrants are
properly characterized as issued and outstanding debt instruments from the date
of issuance of the warrants. Furthermore, for purposes of computing the amount 
of original issue discount with respect to the Units, 
    
 
                                      105
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
the Company intends, in accordance with the Treasury regulations to treat 
the Note and the Warrant together as a single debt instrument with a single 
issue price, maturity date, yield and 'stated redemption price at maturity'. 
Although the provisions of the regulations providing for the aggregation 
of debt instruments are ambiguous in certain respects and subject to 
varying interpretations, the Company intends to take the position 
that the issue price, stated redemption price at maturity and resulting
original issue discount of a Unit should be allocated to the Warrant and Note
portion ofl such Unit 15/115ths and 100/115ths, respectively. Further, in
accordance with the foregoing interpretation of the Regulations, the sale of the
Warrant or Note portion of a Unit should be treated as a sale of 15/115ths or
100/115ths, respectively, of the Unit. There can be no assurance that the
Service or a court interpreting the Treasury regulations will not take a
different position concerning the characterization of the Warrants or the
allocation between the Warrant and Note portion of the Unit, including, but not
limited to, the position that such allocations of issue price, stated redemption
price at maturity, resulting original issue discount and portions sold should be
based on the relative fair market values of the Warrant and Note portion of a
Unit. See 'Discount of Units, Warrants or Notes' below.
    
 
   
     Original Issue Discount. The Units will have original issue discount for
federal income tax purposes. The amount of original issue discount ('OID') on a
Unit is the excess of its 'stated redemption price at maturity' (the sum of all
payments to be made on the Note, whether denominated as interest or principal)
over its 'issue price.' The 'issue price' of each Unit will be the first price
at which a substantial amount of Units are sold to the public (excluding sales
to bond houses, brokers or similar persons acting as underwriters, placement
agents or wholesalers). Each Unit Holder (whether a cash or accrual method
taxpayer) will be required to include in income such OID as it accrues, in
advance of the receipt of some or all of the related cash payments.
    
 
   
     The amount of OID includable in income by the initial Holder of a Unit is
the sum of the 'daily portions' of OID with respect to the Unit for each day
during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year on which such Holder held
such Unit ('accrued OID'). The daily portion is determined by allocating to each
day in any 'accrual period' a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that
accrual period. The accrual periods for a Unit will be periods that are each
selected by the Unit Holder that are no longer than one year, provided that each
scheduled payment occurs either on the final day of an accrual period or on the
first day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual
period other than the initial short accrual period (if any) and the final
accrual period is an amount equal to the product of the Unit's 'adjusted issue
price' at the beginning of such accrual period and its yield to maturity
(determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and
properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period). The amount of OID
allocable to the final accrual period is the difference between the amount
payable at maturity and the adjusted issue price of the Unit at the beginning of
the final accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any initial short
accrual period may be computed under any reasonable method. The adjusted issue
price of the Unit at the start of any accrual period is equal to its issue price
increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period and reduced by any
prior payments with respect to such Unit. The Company is required to report the
amount of OID accrued on Units held of record by persons other than corporations
and other exempt Unit Holders, which may be based on accrual periods other than
those chosen by the Unit Holder. A Unit Holder will not be required to recognize
any income upon the receipt of interest payments on the Units.
    
 
   
     The tax basis of a Unit in the hands of the Holder will be increased by the
amount of OID, if any, on the Unit that is included in the Holder's income
pursuant to these rules, and will be decreased by the amount of any payments
made with respect to the Unit.
    
 
   
     Applicable High Yield Discount Obligations. If the yield to maturity of the
Units (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) exceeds the
'applicable federal rate' ('AFR') plus 500 basis points, the Units will be
subject to the applicable high yield discount obligation ('AHYDO') rules of the
Code. The AFR for the month of November, 1997 for instruments with a weighted
average maturity in excess of nine years providing for semi-annual compounding
is 6.32%. Pursuant to the AHYDO rules, the Company's deductions with respect to
original issue discount will be suspended until such amounts are actually paid,
and the 'disqualified portion' of such original issue discount (defined as the
portion that is attributable to the yield on such Unit in excess of the 
applicable federal rate plus 600 basis points) 
    
 
                                      106
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
will be permanently nondeductible. These rules generally do not affect the 
amount, timing or character of a Holder's income; however, domestic
corporate Holders may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction 
with respect to their inclusion in income of the 'disqualified portion' 
(as defined above) if such amount, if paid with respect to stock, would
have been a dividend (i.e., among other things, would have been out of 
earnings and profits, which the Company does not believe that it currently 
has). The availability of the dividend-received deduction is subject to a 
number of complex limitations.
    
 
   
     Market Discount. If a Unit (or any portion thereof) is acquired by a
subsequent purchaser at a 'market discount,' some or all of any gain realized
upon a disposition (including a sale or a taxable exchange) or payment at
maturity of such debt instrument may be treated as ordinary income. 'Market
discount' with respect to a security is, subject to a de minimis exception, the
excess of (1) the issue price of the security increased by all previously
accrued original issue discount and probably reduced (although the Code does not
expressly so provide) by any cash payments in respect of such security over (2)
such Holder's initial tax basis in the security. The amount of market discount
treated as having accrued will be determined either on a ratable basis, or, if
the Holder so elects, on a constant interest method. Upon any subsequent
disposition (including a gift or payment at maturity) of such debt instrument
(other than in connection with certain nonrecognition transactions), the lesser
of any gain on such disposition (or appreciation, in the case of a gift) or the
portion of the market discount that accrued while the debt instrument was held
by such Holder will be treated as ordinary interest income at the time of the
disposition. In lieu of including accrued market discount in income at the time
of disposition, a Holder may elect to include market discount in income
currently. Unless a Holder so elects, such Holder may be required to defer a
portion of any interest expense that may otherwise be deductible on any
indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such debt instrument
until the Holder disposes of the debt instrument. The election to include market
discount in income currently, once made, is irrevocable and applies to all
market discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the
consent of the IRS.
    
 
   
     Acquisition Premium. A subsequent Holder of a Unit (or any portion thereof)
is generally subject to rules for accruing OID described above. However, if such
Holder's purchase price for the debt instrument exceeds the 'revised issue
price' (the sum of the issue price of the debt instrument and the aggregate
amount of the OID includible in the gross income of all Holders for periods
before the acquisition of the debt instrument by such Holder and probably
reduced (although the Code does not expressly so provide) by any cash payment in
respect of such security), the excess (referred to as 'acquisition premium') is
offset ratably against the amount of OID otherwise includible in such Holder's
taxable income (i.e., such Holder may reduce the daily portions of OID by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of such Holder's purchase price
for the debt instrument over the revised issue price, and the denominator of
which is the excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the debt instrument
after the purchase date over the debt instrument revised issue price).
    
 
   
     Disposition of Units Warrants or Notes. Will there is no clear authority
directly on point under the Treasury regulations, in accordance with the
provisions of the Treasury regulations that generally require debt instruments
issued in connection with the same transaction or as part of the same issue to
be aggregated and treated as a single debt instrument, the Company believes that
a Holder of a Unit who sells the Warrant or Note portion thereof would be
treated for federal income tax purposes as having sold 15/115ths or 100/115ths
respectively of the Unit and with respect to which 15/115ths or 100/115ths
respectively of such purchaser's tax basis should be allocable. Holders of Units
are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicatio of the
Treasury regulations with respect to the specific treatment to such holder of a
sale of a portion of a Unit. A Holder of a Unit will recognize gain or loss upon
the sale, redemption, retirement or other disposition of such Unit (or any
oprtion thereof); such gain or loss will generally be equal to the difference
between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of property received
and (ii) the Holder's adjusted tax basis (including any accrued OID or market
discount previously included in income by the Holder and reduced by any previous
payments with respect to the debt instrument) in such debt instrument. Subject
to the market discount rules discussed above, gain or loss recognized will be
capital gain or loss, provided such debt instrument is held as a capital asset
by the Holder, and will be long term capital gain or loss if the Holder has held
such debt instrument (or is treated as having held such debt instrument) for
longer than one year. For 
    
 
                                      107
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
individuals, such gain will be taxed at rates that vary depending upon whether 
the debt instrument was held for one year or less, more than one year but not 
more than 18 months, or more than 18 months.
    
 
   
     Reporting Requirements. The Company will provide annual information
statements to Holders of the Units (or any portion thereof) and to the Internal
Revenue Service, setting forth the amount of original issue discount determined
to be attributable to the debt instruments for that year.
    
 
   
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
    
 
   
     Under certain circumstances, the failure of a Holder of Units (or any
portion thereof) to provide sufficient information to establish that such Holder
is exempt from the backup withholding provisions of the Code will subject such
Holder to backup withholding at a rate of 31 percent on payments of principal
and interest on the debt instruments, and the proceeds from a disposition of the
debt instruments. In general, backup withholding applies if a Holder fails to
furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, fails to report dividend and
interest income in full, or fails to certify that such Holder has provided a
correct taxpayer identification number and that the Holder is not subject to
withholding. An individual's taxpayer identification number is such person's
Social Security number.
    
 
     THE FOREGOING SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS ALL ASPECTS OF FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR HOLDER OF UNITS, WARRANTS OR NOTES
IN LIGHT OF HIS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND INCOME TAX SITUATION. EACH HOLDER
OF UNITS, WARRANTS OR NOTES SHOULD CONSULT SUCH HOLDER'S TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE
SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH HOLDER OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE
UNITS, WARRANTS OR NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL,
FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS, OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF.
 
                                      108


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
   
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement (the
'Purchase Agreement'), the Company has agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, and each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to
purchase from the Company the number of Units set forth opposite its name below.
In the Purchase Agreement, the several Underwriters have agreed, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the Units offered
hereby, if any are purchased. In the event of default by an Underwriter, the
Purchase Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, purchase commitments
of the non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased or the Purchase Agreement
may be terminated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        NUMBER
              UNDERWRITERS                                                             OF UNITS
                                                                                       --------
<S>                                                                                    <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
              Incorporated..........................................................     9,037
Lehman Brothers Inc.................................................................     2,582
Libra Investments, Inc..............................................................     1,291
                                                                                       --------
              Total.................................................................    12,910
                                                                                       --------
                                                                                       --------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose initially to
offer the Units to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on
the cover page of this Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of 1.21% per Unit. The Underwriters may allow, and such
dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of .605% per Unit to certain other
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price,
concession and discount may be changed.
    
 
     The Company has agreed that it will not for a period of 180 days from the
date of this Prospectus, without the consent of Merrill Lynch directly or
indirectly offer, sell, grant any option to purchase, or otherwise dispose of,
any debt securities of the Company or securities of the Company that are
convertible into, or exchangeable for, the Units or such other debt securities.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
     The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of Units offered hereby to
any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
     There is currently no public market for the Units. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the
Units, the ability of holders of the Units to sell their Units or at what price
such holders would be able to sell their Units. If such a market were to
develop, the Units could trade at prices that may be lower than the initial
offering price thereof, depending on many factors, including prevailing interest
rates, the Company's operating results and markets for similar debt securities.
The Underwriters have advised the Company that they currently intend to make a
market in the Units. However, they are not obligated to do so, and any market
making with respect to the Units may be discontinued at any time without notice
at the sole discretion of each Underwriter. If an active public market does not
develop, the market price and liquidity of the Units may be adversely affected.
The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Units on any national
securities exchange or for quotation of the Units through an automated quotation
system.
 
     Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to
disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities
similar to the Units. There can be no assurance that the market for the Units
will not be subject to similar disruptions.
 
   
     Until the distribution of the Units is completed, rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the Underwriters and certain
selling group members to bid for and purchase the Units. As an exception to
these rules, the Underwriters are permitted to engage in certain transactions
that stabilize the price of the Units. Such transactions consist of bids or
purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the
Units.
    
 
                                      109
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
   
     If the Underwriters create a short position in the Units in connection with
the Units Offering, i.e., if they sell more Units than are set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus, the Underwriters may reduce that short position
by purchasing Units in the open market.
    
 
   
     The Underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on certain Underwriters and
selling group members. This means that if the Underwriters purchase Units in the
open market to reduce the Underwriters' short position or to stabilize the price
of the Units, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the
Underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of the
offering of Units.
    
 
     In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than
it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid
might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were
to discourage resales of the security.
 
   
     Neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of the Units. In addition, neither the
Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any representation that the
Underwriters will engage in such transaction or that such transactions, once
commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
    
 
     Pursuant to an agreement, dated October 21, 1992, Batchelder & Partners,
Inc., the Company's financial adviser, will receive fees in the amount of 1% of
the proceeds of the Units Offering.
   
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters relating to the securities offered hereby are being
passed upon for the Company by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, New
York, New York. Certain regulatory matters arising under the Communications Act
are being passed upon by Wiley, Rein & Fielding, Washington, D.C. Certain legal
matters are being passed upon for the Underwriters by Shearman & Sterling, New
York, New York.
 
                            INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1995 and 1996, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996, and for the period from May 17, 1990 (the date of inception) to December
31, 1996, incorporated herein by reference, have been included herein in
reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      110
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


<PAGE>

<PAGE>



Inside back cover

Photograph of car on highway and CD Radio logo

Caption:   50 Channels of Programming
           National Satellite Coverage
           Commercial-Free Music
           CD Quality Sound


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
_____________________________                      _____________________________
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY
ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN
WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR
TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                            ------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                                               ----
<S>                                                                                                                            <C>
Additional Information......................................................................................................     5
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.............................................................................     5
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements...........................................................................     6
Prospectus Summary..........................................................................................................     7
Risk Factors................................................................................................................    16
Use of Proceeds.............................................................................................................    27
Price Range of Common Stock.................................................................................................    29
Dividend Policy.............................................................................................................    29
Capitalization..............................................................................................................    30
Selected Historical Financial Information...................................................................................    31
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......................................    32
Business....................................................................................................................    37
Management..................................................................................................................    53
Principal Stockholders......................................................................................................    61
Description of Certain Indebtedness.........................................................................................    65
Description of Units........................................................................................................    69
Description of the Notes....................................................................................................    69
Description of the Warrants.................................................................................................    96
Description of Capital Stock................................................................................................    97
Certain United States Tax Considerations....................................................................................   105
Underwriting................................................................................................................   109
Legal Matters...............................................................................................................   110
Independent Accountants.....................................................................................................   110
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                     [LOGO]
 
                           12,910 UNITS CONSISTING OF
                                  $258,200,000
                          15% SENIOR SECURED DISCOUNT
                                 NOTES DUE 2007
                            AND WARRANTS TO ACQUIRE
                                  $38,730,000
                          15% SENIOR SECURED DISCOUNT
                                 NOTES DUE 2007
    
 
                               ------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                               ------------------

                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

                                LEHMAN BROTHERS

                            LIBRA INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
   
                               NOVEMBER 21, 1997
    
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The cash expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered, other than underwriting compensation, are as
follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                            <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........................................   $ 45,455
NASD filing fee.............................................................................     15,500
Accounting fees and expenses................................................................     80,000
Legal fees and expenses.....................................................................    359,045
Printing, engraving and delivery expenses...................................................          0
                                                                                               --------
          Total.............................................................................   $500,000
                                                                                               --------
                                                                                               --------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
*  To be completed by amendment
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a
corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents against
certain liabilities they may incur in such capacities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, provided they act in good faith and in a manner
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation. The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Amended and Restated Bylaws require the Company to indemnify its officers and
directors to the full extent permitted by Delaware law.
 
     Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a
corporation to limit or eliminate its directors' liability to the corporation or
its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duties, other
than for (i) breaches of the duty of loyalty, (ii) acts or omissions involving
bad faith, intentional misconduct or knowing violations of the law, (iii)
unlawful payments of dividends, stock purchases or redemptions, or (iv)
transactions from which a director derives an improper personal benefit. The
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions
limiting the liability of the directors to the Company and to its shareholders
to the full extent permitted by Delaware law.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a
corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him or her in any such capacity,
or arising out of his or her status as such. The Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the
Company may, to the full extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company
against any liability which may be asserted against him or her and the Company
currently maintains such insurance.
 
     The Purchase Agreement between the Company and the Underwriters with
respect to the Units Offering registered hereunder will provide for
indemnification of the registrant and its officers and directors by the
Underwriters or agents, as the case may be, against certain liabilities
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                      II-1
 

<PAGE>

<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <S>
  1.1     -- Purchase Agreement.
  3.1*    -- Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
             Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1996).
  3.2*    -- Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the
             period ended March 31, 1996).
  4.1     -- Form of Indenture.
  4.2     -- Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).
  4.3     -- Form of Warrant Agreement.
  4.4     -- Form of Warrant (included in Exhibit 4.3).
  5.1     -- Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
 21.1*    -- List of the Company's Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q
             for the period ended March 31, 1997).
 23.1*    -- Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 23.2     -- Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (to be included in Exhibit 5.1).
 24.1*    -- Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
 25.1*    -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 * Previously filed.
   
    
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (a) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
     Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by
     reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
     registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
     offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
     bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
     persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
     otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
     policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
     In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
     (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
     director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
     defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
     officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
     registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
     matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
     appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
     against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
     governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
          (c) (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
     part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
     contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
     424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
     part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
     effective.
 
             (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
        Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a
        form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
        relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
        securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
        offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York,
State of New York, on November 21, 1997.
    
 
                                          CD RADIO INC.
 
                                          By:         /s/ DAVID MARGOLESE
                                               .................................
                                                      DAVID MARGOLESE
                                            CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                              DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------   -------------------
<C>                                         <S>                                            <C>
           /S/ DAVID MARGOLESE              Chairman and Chief Executive Officer            November 21, 1997
 .........................................    (Principal Executive Officer)
            (DAVID MARGOLESE)
 
                    *                       Principal Financial and Accounting Officer      November 21, 1997
 .........................................
          (ANDREW J. GREENEBAUM)
 
                    *                       Director                                        November 21, 1997
 .........................................
           (ROBERT D. BRISKMAN)
 
                    *                       Director                                        November 21, 1997
 .........................................
          (LAWRENCE F. GILBERTI)
 
                    *                       Director                                        November 21, 1997
 .........................................
            (PETER K. PITSCH)
 
                    *                       Director                                        November 21, 1997
 .........................................
           (JACK Z. RUBINSTEIN)
 
                    *                       Director                                        November 21, 1997
 .........................................
           (RALPH V. WHITWORTH)
</TABLE>
    
 
By:         /s/ DAVID MARGOLESE
            ...................
              DAVID MARGOLESE
             ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
 
                                      II-3


<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- -------   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----
<C>       <S>                                                                                                     <C>
  1.1     -- Purchase Agreement................................................................................
  3.1*    -- Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
             Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1996)...........................................
  3.2*    -- Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q
             for the period ended March 31, 1996)...............................................................
  4.1     -- Form of Indenture.................................................................................
  4.2     -- Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1)............................................................
  4.3     -- Form of Warrant Agreement.........................................................................
  4.4     -- Form of Warrant (included in Exhibit 4.3).........................................................
  4.5     -- Pledge Agreement..................................................................................
  5.1     -- Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison...............................................
 21.1*    -- List of the Company's Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company's
             Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1997).....................................................
 23.1*    -- Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P................................................................
 23.2     -- Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (to be included in Exhibit 5.1)...............
 24.1*    -- Power of Attorney (included on signature page)....................................................
 25.1*    -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee...............................................................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
 * Previously filed.
   
    


                           STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES

The section symbol shall be expressed as...................................'SS'
The degree symbol shall be expressed as.....................................[d]


<PAGE>





<PAGE>


================================================================================




                                  CD RADIO INC.

                            (a Delaware corporation)



                               Units Consisting of
                   15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007
       and Warrants to Purchase 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007


                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT




Dated:  November 20, 1997


================================================================================



<PAGE>

<PAGE>




                                Table of Contents

<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                                                                                 <C>
PURCHASE AGREEMENT..........................................................................................  1
     SECTION 1.          Representations and Warranties*....................................................  3
              (a)        Representations and Warranties by the Company......................................  3
                         (i)         Compliance with Registration Requirements..............................  3
                         (ii)        Incorporated Documents.................................................  4
                         (iii)       Independent Accountants................................................  4
                         (iv)        Financial Statements...................................................  4
                         (v)         No Material Adverse Change in Business.................................  5
                         (vi)        Good Standing of the Company...........................................  5
                         (vii)       Good Standing of the Subsidiary........................................  5
                         (viii)      Capitalization.........................................................  6
                         (ix)        Authorization of Agreement.............................................  6
                         (x)         Authorization of the Indenture.........................................  6
                         (xi)        Authorization of the Notes.............................................  6
                         (xii)       Description of the Indenture and the Warrant
                                     Agreement..............................................................  7
                         (xiii)      Authorization of the Warrant Agreement.................................  7
                         (xiv)       Authorization of the Warrants..........................................  7
                         (xv)        Authorization of the Warrant Securities................................  7
                         (xvi)       Description of the Securities.  .......................................  7
                         (xvii)      Authorization of the Pledge Agreement..................................  8
                         (xviii)     Description of the Pledge Agreement....................................  8
                         (xix)       Absence of Defaults and Conflicts......................................  8
                         (xxxvi)  Pledged Collateral........................................................ 13
              (b)        Officer's Certificates............................................................. 13
     SECTION 2.          Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing......................................... 13
              (a)        Securities......................................................................... 13
              (b)        Payment............................................................................ 13
              (c)        Denominations; Registration........................................................ 14
     SECTION 3.          Covenants of the Company........................................................... 14
              (a)        Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission
                         Requests........................................................................... 14
              (b)        Filing of Amendments............................................................... 14
              (c)        Delivery of Registration Statements................................................ 15
              (d)        Delivery of Prospectuses........................................................... 15
              (e)        Continued Compliance with Securities Laws.......................................... 15
              (f)        Blue Sky Qualifications............................................................ 16
              (g)        Rule 158........................................................................... 16
              (h)        Use of Proceeds.................................................................... 16
              (i)        Listing............................................................................ 16
              (j)        Restriction on Sale of Securities.................................................. 16
              (k)        Reporting Requirements............................................................. 17
     SECTION 4.          Payment of Expenses................................................................ 17
              (a)        Expenses........................................................................... 17
              (b)        Termination of Agreement........................................................... 17
     SECTION 5.          Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations............................................ 17
              (a)        Effectiveness of Registration Statement............................................ 18
              (b)        Opinion of Counsel for Company..................................................... 18
              (c)        Opinion of Regulatory Counsel for Company.......................................... 18
              (d)        Opinion of Patent Counsel for Company.............................................. 18
              (e)        Opinion of Intellectual Property Counsel for Company............................... 18
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>                                                                                 <C>
             (f)        Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters................................................ 19
             (g)        Officers' Certificate.............................................................. 19
             (h)        Accountants' Comfort Letter........................................................ 19
             (i)        Bring-down Comfort Letter.......................................................... 19
             (j)        Approval of Listing................................................................ 20
             (k)        No Objection....................................................................... 20
             (l)        Consummation of the Exchange Offer................................................. 20
             (m)        Additional Documents............................................................... 20
             (n)        Termination of Agreement........................................................... 20
    SECTION 6.          Indemnification.................................................................... 20
             (a)        Indemnification of Underwriters.................................................... 20
             (b)        Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers................................. 22
             (c)        Actions against Parties; Notification.............................................. 22
             (d)        Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse................................. 22
    SECTION 7.          Contribution....................................................................... 23
    SECTION 8.          Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
                        Delivery........................................................................... 24
    SECTION 9.          Termination of Agreement........................................................... 24
             (a)        Termination; General............................................................... 24
             (b)        Liabilities........................................................................ 25
    SECTION 10.         Default by One or More of the Underwriters......................................... 25
    SECTION 11.         Notices............................................................................ 26
    SECTION 12.         Parties............................................................................ 26
    SECTION 13.         GOVERNING LAW AND TIME............................................................. 26
    SECTION 14.         Effect of Headings................................................................. 26


SCHEDULES

    Schedule  A - List of Underwriters.............................................................    Sch A-1
    Schedule  B - Pricing Information..............................................................    Sch B-1

EXHIBITS

    Exhibit  A - Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel..............................................        A-1
    Exhibit  B - Form of Opinion of Regulatory Counsel for the Company.............................        B-1
    Exhibit  C - Form of Opinion of Patent Counsel for the Company.................................        C-1
    Exhibit  D - Form of Opinion of Intellectual Property Counsel for the
                         Company Counsel...........................................................        D-1
</TABLE>


                                       ii



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                  CD RADIO INC.
                            (a Delaware corporation)

                     12,910 Units Consisting of $258,200,000
            Aggregate Principal Amount at Maturity 15% Senior Secured
             Discount Notes due 2007 and 12,910 Warrants to Acquire
              an Aggregate $38,730,000 Principal Amount as Maturity
                   15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                               November 20, 1997

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated
Lehman Brothers Inc.
Libra Investments Inc.
  as Representatives of the several Underwriters
 c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                  Incorporated
     North Tower
     World Financial Center
     New York, New York  10281

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         CD Radio Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), confirms its
agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") and each of the other Underwriters named in
Schedule A hereto (collectively, the "Underwriters", which term shall also
include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10
hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers Inc. and Libra Investments,
Inc. are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the "Representatives"),
with respect to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase by the
Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective number of the
Company's Units (the "Units" or the "Securities"), each Unit consisting of
$20,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Company's 15% Senior
Secured Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") and one Warrant



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



(the "Warrants"), each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire $3,000
principal amount at maturity of Notes. The Notes are to be issued pursuant to an
indenture dated as of the Closing Time (the "Indenture") between the Company and
IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"), and the Warrants
are to be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement dated as of the Closing Time
(the "Warrant Agreement") between the Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust
Company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent").

         The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public
offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after
this Agreement has been executed and delivered and the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act").

         The Company has also made an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") for
its outstanding 5% Delayed Convertible Preferred Stock ("5% Preferred Stock")
pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-34761) (the "Exchange
Offer Registration Statement") and is undertaking a public offering of Common
Stock (the "Stock Offerings"), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3
(No. 333-34769).

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-34769) covering the
registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectus.
Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will either
(i) prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A
("Rule 430A") of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act
(the "1933 Act Regulations") and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 ("Rule 424(b)") of
the 1933 Act Regulations, (ii) if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434
("Rule 434") of the 1933 Act Regulations, prepare and file a term sheet (a "Term
Sheet") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule 424(b) or (iii)
prepare and file, prior to the effective date of such registration statement, an
amendment to such registration statement, including a final prospectus. The
information included in such prospectus or in such Term Sheet, as the case may
be, that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became
effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the
time it became effective (a) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred
to as "Rule 430A Information" or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 434 is
referred to as "Rule 434 Information." Each prospectus used before such
registration statement became effective, and any prospectus that omitted, if
applicable, the Rule 430A Information or the Rule 434 Information, that was used
after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, is herein called a "preliminary prospectus." Such registration
statement, including the exhibits thereto, schedules thereto, if any, and the
documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3
under the 1933 Act, at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A
Information and the Rule 434 Information, as applicable, is herein called the
"Registration Statement." Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule
462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement," and after such filing the term


                                        2



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


"Registration Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.
The final prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein
pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, included in the Registration
Statement at the time it becomes effective is herein called the "Prospectus",
except that, if the Company has relied upon Rule 430A, the prospectus in the
form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering
of the Securities is herein called the "Prospectus." If Rule 434 is relied on,
the term "Prospectus" shall refer to the preliminary prospectus dated October
30, 1997 together with the Term Sheet and all references in this Agreement to
the date of the Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. For purposes
of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus or any Term Sheet or any amendment or supplement to
any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the
Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval
system ("EDGAR").

         All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules
and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or other
references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such
financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to
amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of
any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") which is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

         SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.

         (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the
Closing Time referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each
Underwriter, as follows:

                  (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. Pursuant to an
         oral waiver granted to the Company by the Commission, the Company is
         permitted to use Form S-3 under the 1933 Act in connection with the
         Stock Offerings. Each of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and no
         stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
         or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the
         1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or
         are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by
         the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for
         additional information has been complied with.

                  At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule
         462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto
         became effective


                                        3



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         and at the Closing Time, the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto
         complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements
         of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not
         contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading. Neither of the Prospectus nor any
         amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any
         amendments or supplements thereto were issued and at the Closing Time,
         included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or
         omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to
         make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
         which they were made, not misleading. If Rule 434 is used, the Company
         will comply with the requirements of Rule 434. The representations and
         warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or
         omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in
         reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
         Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representatives
         expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

                  Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectuses filed as part
         of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any
         amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act,
         complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act
         Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus
         delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering
         was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed
         with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted
         by Regulation S-T.

                  (ii) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or
         deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
         and the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with
         the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with
         the requirements of the 1934 Act, and, when read together with the
         other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration
         Statement became effective, at the time the Prospectus was issued and
         at the Closing Time, did not and will not contain an untrue statement
         of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
         stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
         misleading.

                  (iii) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified
         the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the
         Registration Statement are independent public accountants as required
         by the 1933 Act.

                  (iv) Financial Statements. The financial statements and the
         related notes of the Company included in the Registration Statement and
         the Prospectus present fairly in accordance with generally accepted
         accounting principles ("GAAP") the financial position of the Company
         and its consolidated subsidiary as of the dates indicated and the
         statement of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the
         Company and


                                        4



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         its consolidated subsidiary for the periods specified. Such financial
         statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a
         consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The selected
         financial data and the summary financial information included in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in accordance
         with GAAP the information shown therein and have been compiled on a
         basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements of the
         Company for each of the years in the five-year period ended December
         31, 1996.

                  (v) No Material Adverse Charge in Business. Since the
         respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein or
         contemplated thereby, there has not been (A) any material adverse
         change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
         business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
         subsidiary considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the
         ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse Effect"), (B) any
         transaction entered into by the Company or its subsidiary, other than
         in the ordinary course of business, that is material with respect to
         the Company and its subsidiary considered as one enterprise, or (C) any
         dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the
         Company on any class of its capital stock.

                  (vi) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly
         organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
         under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectus, to enter into and perform its
         obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Stock Offerings;
         the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
         business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which
         each such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership
         or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the
         failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (vii) Good Standing of the Subsidiary. Satellite CD Radio,
         Inc. has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation
         in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
         corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
         and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly
         qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good
         standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,
         whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the
         conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in
         good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the
         issued and outstanding capital stock of Satellite CD Radio, Inc. has
         been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and
         non-assessable and is owned by the Company free and clear of any
         security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
         equity; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Satellite CD
         Radio, Inc. was issued in violation of the preemptive


                                        5



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         or similar rights of any securityholder of Satellite CD Radio, Inc.
         Satellite CD Radio, Inc. is the only subsidiary of the Company.

                  (viii) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding
         capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus in the
         column entitled "Actual" under the caption "Capitalization" (except for
         subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to reservations, agreements or
         employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectus, pursuant to the
         Exchange Offer or the Stock Offerings or pursuant to the exercise of
         convertible securities, warrants or options referred to in the
         Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the
         Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
         and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
         the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar
         rights of any securityholder of the Company.

                  (ix) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

                  (x) Authorization of the Indenture. The Indenture has been
         duly authorized by the Company and duly qualified under the 1939 Act
         and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed and delivered by
         the Company and, when duly executed and delivered by the Trustee, will
         constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable
         against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
         enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
         (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
         transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
         enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement
         thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of
         whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

                  (xi) Authorization of the Notes. The Notes have been duly
         authorized and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by
         the Company and, when authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner
         provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the
         purchase price therefor as provided in this Agreement, will constitute
         valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the
         Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement
         thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without
         limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
         moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
         generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general
         principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered
         in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be in the form
         contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

                  (xii) Description of the Indenture and the Warrant Agreement.
         The Indenture and the Warrant Agreement will conform in all material
         respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the
         Prospectus and will be in


                                        6



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         substantially the respective forms filed or incorporated by reference,
         as the case may be, as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

                  (xiii) Authorization of the Warrant Agreement. The Warrant
         Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing
         Time, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and,
         when duly executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent, will constitute
         a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the
         Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof
         may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without
         limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
         moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
         generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general
         principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered
         in a proceeding in equity or at law).

                  (xiv) Authorization of the Warrants. The Warrants have been
         duly authorized and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed
         by the Company and, when executed, issued and delivered in the manner
         provided for in the Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment of
         the purchase price therefor as provided in this Agreement, will
         constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
         against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the
         enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
         (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
         transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
         enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement
         thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of
         whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law),
         and will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits
         of, the Warrant Agreement.

                  (xv) Authorization of the Warrant Securities. The Notes
         issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the "Warrant Securities") have
         been duly authorized and reserved by the Company and, when issued and
         delivered upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the terms of
         the Warrants and the Warrant Agreement, will constitute valid and
         binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
         accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be
         limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all
         laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or
         similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally and
         except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of
         equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding
         in equity or at law), and will be in the form contemplated by, and
         entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

                  (xvi) Description of the Securities. The Units, the Notes and
         the Warrants conform to all statements relating thereto contained in
         the Prospectus and such description conforms to the rights set forth in
         the instruments defining the same.


                                        7



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                  (xvii) Authorization of the Pledge Agreement. The Pledge
         Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing
         Time, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
         will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Issuer,
         enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
         enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
         (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
         transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating
         to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by
         general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is
         considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

                  (xviii) Description of the Pledge Agreement. The Pledge
         Agreement conforms in all material respects to all statements relating
         thereto contained in the Prospectus and will be in substantially the
         respective forms filed or incorporated by reference, as the case may
         be, as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

                  (xix) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company
         nor its subsidiary is in violation of its charter or by-laws or in
         default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement,
         covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage,
         deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement
         or instrument to which the Company or its subsidiary is a party or by
         which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property
         or assets of the Company or its subsidiary is subject (collectively,
         "Agreements and Instruments") except for such defaults that would not
         result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and
         performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement
         (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the
         proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus
         under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Company with
         its obligations under this Agreement have been duly authorized by all
         necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or
         without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with
         or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined
         below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
         charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or its
         subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such
         conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that
         would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action
         result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of
         the Company or its subsidiary or any applicable law, statute, rule,
         regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government,
         government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having
         jurisdiction over the Company or its subsidiary or any of their assets,
         properties or operations. As used herein, a "Repayment Event" means any
         event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or
         other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's
         behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of
         all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or its subsidiary.


                                        8



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                  (xx) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the
         employees of the Company or its subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge
         of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any
         existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its
         or its subsidiary's principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors,
         which, in either case, may reasonably be expected to result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxi) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit,
         proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or
         governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to
         the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the
         Company or its subsidiary, which is required to be disclosed in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than as disclosed
         therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and
         adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its
         obligations hereunder or thereunder; all pending legal or governmental
         proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiary is a party or of
         which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which
         are not described in the Registration Statement, including ordinary
         routine litigation incidental to the business, in the aggregate could
         not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxii) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or
         documents which are required to be described in the Registration
         Statement, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference
         therein or to be filed as exhibits which have not been so described and
         filed as required.

                  (xxiii) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company and
         its subsidiary own or possess adequate patents, patent rights,
         licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and
         other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential
         information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade
         names or other intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual
         Property") necessary to carry on the business now operated by them and
         intended to be operated by them in the manner described in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and neither the Company nor
         its subsidiary has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any
         infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect
         to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which
         would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect
         the interest of the Company or its subsidiary therein, and which
         infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision,
         ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the
         aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxiv) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or
         authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration,
         qualification or decree of, any court or


                                        9



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the
         performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection
         with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under this
         Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be
         required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations and state
         securities or blue sky laws.

                  (xxv) Possession of Licenses and Permits. Except as disclosed
         in the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiary possess such permits,
         licenses (including, without limitation, the FCC License, as defined in
         the Prospectus), approvals, consents and other authorizations
         (collectively, "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate
         federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies
         necessary to conduct the business now operated by them or intended to
         be operated by them in the manner described in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus; the Company and its subsidiary are in
         compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental
         Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in
         the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental
         Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the
         invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such
         Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have a
         Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor its subsidiary has
         received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or
         modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the
         aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or
         finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxvi) Title to Property. The Company and its subsidiary have
         good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and
         its subsidiary and good title to all other properties owned by them, in
         each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security
         interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such
         as (a) are described in the Prospectus or (b) do not, singly or in the
         aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not
         interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by
         the Company or its subsidiary; and all of the leases and subleases
         material to the business of the Company and its subsidiary, considered
         as one enterprise, and under which the Company or its subsidiary holds
         properties described in the Prospectus, are in full force and effect,
         and neither the Company nor its subsidiary has any notice of any
         material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to
         the rights of the Company or its subsidiary under any of the leases or
         subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of
         the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the
         leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

                  (xxvii) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and upon
         the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, the
         issuance and sale of Common Stock in connection with the Stock
         Offerings, and the application of the net


                                       10



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus will not be, an
         "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment
         company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of
         1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

                  (xxviii) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the
         Registration Statement and except as would not, singly or in the
         aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company
         nor its subsidiary is in violation of any federal, state, local or
         foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule
         of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof,
         including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or
         judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the
         environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
         groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including,
         without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or
         threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes,
         toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products
         (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") or to the manufacture,
         processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport
         or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, "Environmental
         Laws"), (B) the Company and its subsidiary have all permits,
         authorizations and approvals required under any applicable
         Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements,
         (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or
         judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens,
         notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings
         relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or its subsidiary
         and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be
         expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or
         an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body
         or agency, against or affecting the Company or its subsidiary relating
         to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

                  (xxix) Taxes. All United States federal income tax returns of
         the Company and its subsidiary required by law to be filed have been
         filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which
         are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which
         appeals have been or will be promptly taken and as to which adequate
         reserves have been provided. The Company and its subsidiary have filed
         all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them
         pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law, except
         insofar as the failure to file such returns would not result in a
         Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such
         returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and its
         subsidiary, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in
         good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided.

                  (xxx) Internal Controls. The Company and its subsidiary
         maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
         reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance
         with management's general or specific authorization, (B) transactions
         are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of


                                       11



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
         principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to
         assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or
         specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets
         is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and
         appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

                  (xxxi) Registration Rights. Except as described in the
         Prospectus, there are no persons with registration rights or other
         similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the
         Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the
         1933 Act.

                  (xxxii) Related Parties. No relationship, direct or indirect,
         exists between or among any of the Company or any affiliate of the
         Company, on the one hand, and any director, officer, stockholder or
         supplier of any of them, on the other hand, which is required to be
         described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which is not
         so described or is not described as required.

                  (xxxiii) Offering Materials. The Company has not distributed
         and, prior to the Closing Time, will not distribute any Offering
         Materials in connection with the offering and sale of Securities, other
         than the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the
         Prospectus or any other Offering Materials, if any, permitted by the
         1933 Act and the 1934 Act and approved by the Representatives.

                  (xxxiv) Voting Trust Agreement. The Voting Trust Agreement,
         dated August 26, 1997 among the Company, Darlene Friedland and David
         Margolese and consented to by Robert M. Friedland has been duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due
         authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto
         (other than the Company), is a valid, legal and binding obligation of
         the Company and Darlene Friedland in accordance with its terms, except
         as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
         (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
         transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
         enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement
         thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of
         whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

                  (xxxv) Proposed Amendment. The Proposed Amendment (as defined
         in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) has been approved by the
         Board of Directors of the Company and the stockholders of the Company
         and has been validly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
         Delaware, and prior to the date hereof the Company's Articles of
         Incorporation have been amended by the Proposed Amendment.

                  (xxxiv) Exchange Offer. Prior to the date hereof, the Exchange
         Offer has been consummated, and in the Exchange Offer shares of the
         Company's 10 1/2% Series


                                       12



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         C Convertible Preferred Sock were exchanged for 100% of the outstanding
         shares of 5% Preferred Stock.

                  (xxxv) Qualifying Offerings. Immediately after giving effect
         to the issuance and sale of the Securities, there will have occurred
         one or more Qualifying Offerings (as defined in the Certificate of
         Designations for the 5% Preferred Stock) yielding gross proceeds to the
         Company in an aggregate cash amount of at least $100 million.

                  (xxxvi) Pledged Collateral. Upon the transfer to the Trustee
         of the Pledged Securities (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) and the
         acquisition by the Trustee of a security entitlement thereto, in
         accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement, the pledge of and
         grant of a security interest in the Pledged Collateral (as defined in
         the Pledge Agreement) securing the payment of the Obligations (as
         defined in the Pledge Agreement) for the benefit of the Trustee and
         holders of the Units will constitute a first priority perfected
         security interest in such Pledged Collateral, enforceable as such
         against all creditors of the Company (and any persons purporting to
         purchase any of the Pledged Collateral from the Company).

                  (xxxvii) Security Interest. The Pledge Agreement and the
         pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant hereto create a valid and
         perfected first priority security interest in the Pledged Collateral in
         favor of the Trustee, securing the payment of all the Obligations, and
         all filings and other actions necessary or desirable as may be required
         by the Trustee or the Holders to perfect and protect such security
         interest have been duly taken.

         (b) Officer's Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of
the Company delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters
shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter
as to the matters covered thereby.

         SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

         (a) Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties
herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each
Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at
the price set forth in Schedule B, the aggregate amount of Securities set forth
in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional
principal amount of Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to
purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

         (b) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of
certificates for, the Securities shall be made at the offices of Shearman &
Sterling, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, or at such other place
as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 A.M.
(Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the


                                       13



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day
after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date
as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and
date of payment and delivery being herein called "Closing Time").

         Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to
the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of
certificates for the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that
each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept
delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the
Securities which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not
as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make
payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased by any
Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time, but such
payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

         (c) Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Units, the Notes
and the Warrants shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as
the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before
the Closing Time. The Units, the Notes and the Warrants will be made available
for examination and packaging by the Representatives in The City of New York not
later than 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the business day prior to the Closing
Time.

         SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each
Underwriter as follows:

                  (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission
         Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the
         requirements of Rule 430A or Rule 434, as applicable, and will notify
         the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i)
         when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall
         become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended
         Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments
         from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any
         amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement
         to the Prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) of the
         issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing
         or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the
         suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale
         in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any
         proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect
         the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) and will take such steps
         as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of
         prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for
         filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will
         promptly file such prospectus. The Company


                                       14



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop
         order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof
         at the earliest possible moment.

                  (b) Filing of Amendments. The Company will give the
         Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any
         amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under
         Rule 462(b)), any Term Sheet or any amendment, supplement or revision
         to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the
         time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the
         1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representatives
         with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to
         such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or
         use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the
         Underwriters shall object.

                  (c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has
         furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the
         Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration
         Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including
         exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and
         documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
         therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts,
         and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a
         conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of
         each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters.
         The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto
         furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically
         transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR,
         except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

                  (d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to
         each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary
         prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company
         hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the
         1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge,
         during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under
         the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus
         (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably
         request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto
         furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically
         transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR,
         except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

                  (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company
         will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934
         Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act
         (the "1934 Act Regulations"); and the 1939 Act and the rules and
         regulations thereunder (the "1939 Act Regulations") so as to permit the
         completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in
         this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a


                                       15



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection
         with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall
         exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel
         for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration
         Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the
         Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or
         omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
         therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at
         the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary,
         in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the
         Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order
         to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act
         Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the
         Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as
         may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements,
         and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies
         of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably
         request.

                  (f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its best
         efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the
         Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws
         of such states and other jurisdictions as the Global Coordinator may
         designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of
         not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the
         Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement;
         provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any
         general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign
         corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which
         it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of
         doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so
         subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so
         qualified, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be
         required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such
         qualification in effect for a period of not less than one year from the
         effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement.

                  (g) Rule 158. The Company will timely file such reports
         pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally
         available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings
         statement for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated
         by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

                  (h) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds
         received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified
         in the Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds".

                  (i) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to maintain
         the quotation of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market and
         will file with the Nasdaq National Market all documents and notices
         required by the Nasdaq National


                                       16



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         Market of companies that have securities that are traded on the Nasdaq
         National Market and quotations for which are reported by the Nasdaq
         National Market.

                  (j) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period of 180
         days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the
         prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, directly or indirectly, issue,
         sell, offer or contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or
         otherwise transfer or dispose of, any debt securities of the Company or
         securities of the Company that are convertible into, or exchangeable
         for, the Units or such other debt securities.

                  (k) Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period
         when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or
         the 1934 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the
         Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by
         the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

         SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. (a) Expenses. The Company will pay all
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement
(including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each
amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other
documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale,
issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and
delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the
fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants and other advisors,
(v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with
the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith
and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement
thereto (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each
preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheets and of the Prospectus and any amendments
or supplements thereto, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (viii)
the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Warrant Agent, including the fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture
and the Notes, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Warrant Agent
in connection with the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants, (ix) the filing fees
incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the
Underwriters in connection with, the review by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") of the terms of the sale of the Securities
and (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the inclusion of the
Warrant Securities on the Nasdaq National Market.

         (b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the
Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section
9(a)(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their
out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriters.


                                       17



<PAGE>

<PAGE>




         SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations of
the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or
in certificates of any officer of the Company or its subsidiary delivered
pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its
covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further
conditions:

                  (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration
         Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become
         effective by 10:00 A.M. New York City time on November 21, 1997, and at
         Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
         Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or
         proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any
         request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall
         have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to
         the Underwriters. If the Company has elected to rely on Rule 430A, a
         prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed
         with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) (or a post-effective
         amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared
         effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A) or, if the
         Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434, a Term Sheet shall have been
         filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b).

                  (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At Closing Time, the
         Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of
         Closing Time, of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, counsel for
         the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the
         Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter
         for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A
         hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may
         reasonably request.

                  (c) Opinion of Regulatory Counsel for Company. At the Closing
         Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion,
         dated as of the Closing Time, of Wiley, Rein & Fielding, regulatory
         counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel
         for the Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto and to
         such further effect as counsel for the Underwriters may reasonably
         request.

                  (d) Opinion of Patent Counsel for Company. At the Closing
         Time, the Representatives shall have received (i) the favorable
         opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, of Bright & Lorig, patent
         counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel
         for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such
         letter for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in
         Exhibit C hereto and to such further effect as counsel for the
         Underwriters may reasonably request and (ii) the favorable opinion,
         dated as of the Closing Time, of


                                       18



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         Kenyon & Kenyon, patent counsel for the Company, in form and substance
         satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or
         reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

                  (e) Opinion of Intellectual Property Counsel for Company. At
         the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable
         opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, of Marzouk & Parry, intellectual
         property counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to
         counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies
         of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set
         forth in Exhibit D hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the
         Underwriters may reasonably request.

                  (f) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At Closing Time, the
         Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of
         Closing Time, of Shearman & Sterling, counsel for the Underwriters,
         together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of
         the other Underwriters with respect to the matters set forth in clauses
         (i), (ii), (v), (vii) through (xii), (xiii) (solely as to issuance),
         (xiv), (xix) (solely as to the information in the Prospectus under
         "Description of Units", "Description of the Notes" and "Description of
         the Warrants") and the penultimate paragraph of Exhibit A hereto. In
         giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed
         by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New
         York, the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation
         Law of the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory
         to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as
         such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent
         they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its
         subsidiary and certificates of public officials.

                  (g) Officers' Certificate. At Closing Time, there shall not
         have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of
         which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse
         change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
         business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
         subsidiary considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the
         ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have
         received a certificate of the chief executive officer of the Company
         and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company,
         dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such
         material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in
         Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect
         as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) the Company
         has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its
         part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv)
         no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
         Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been
         instituted or are pending or are contemplated by the Commission.


                                       19



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                  (h) Accountants' Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution
         of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Coopers
         & Lybrand L.L.P. a letter dated such date, in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced
         copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing
         statements and information of the type ordinarily included in
         accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the
         financial statements and certain financial information contained in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

                  (i) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, the
         Representatives shall have received from Coopers & Lybrand LLP a
         letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the
         statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (h) of
         this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a
         date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.

                  (j) Approval of Listing. At Closing Time, the Common Stock
         shall have been approved inclusion on the NASDAQ National Market.

                  (k) No Objection. The NASD has confirmed that it has not
         raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of
         the underwriting terms and arrangements.

                  (l) Consummation of the Exchange Offer. The Company shall have
         consummated the Exchange Offer.

                  (o) Proposed Amendment. The company's Articles of
         Incorporation shall have been amended by the Proposed Amendment.

                  (m) Additional Documents. At Closing Time, counsel for the
         Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions
         as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the
         issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order
         to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties,
         or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all
         proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and
         sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in
         form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the
         Underwriters.

                  (n) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in
         this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be
         fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by
         notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time, and such
         termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party
         except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8
         shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.


                                       20



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         SECTION 6. Indemnification.

         (a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act as follows:

                  (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or
         alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
         Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule
         430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to
         be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
         misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
         statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus or
         the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading;

                  (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
         paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or
         proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,
         or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or
         omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided
         that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected
         with the written consent of the Company; and

                  (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred
         (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill
         Lynch), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
         against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
         governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
         whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any
         such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such
         expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and
the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and provided, further, that
the Company will not be liable to an Underwriter with respect to any preliminary
prospectus to the extent that the Company shall sustain the burden of proving
that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense resulted from the fact
that such


                                       21



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


Underwriter, in contravention of a requirement of this Agreement or applicable
law, sold Securities to a person to whom such Underwriter failed to send or
give, at or prior to the Closing Time, a copy of the Prospectus, as then amended
or supplemented if (i) the Company has previously furnished copies thereof
(sufficiently in advance of the Closing Time to allow for distribution by the
Closing Time) to the Underwriters and the loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense of such Underwriter resulted from an untrue statement or omission or
alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in or omitted
from the preliminary prospectus which was corrected in the Prospectus as, if
applicable, amended or supplemented prior to the Closing Time and (ii) such
failure to give or send such Prospectus by the Closing Time to the party or
parties asserting such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense would have
constituted the sole defense to the claim asserted by such person.

         (b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers. Each
Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its
directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability,
claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a)
of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and
the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter
through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or
any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto).

         (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall
give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of
any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such
indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not
materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity
agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above,
counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in
the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the
indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may
participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided,
however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the
consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In
no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own
counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or
separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of
the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties,


                                       22



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which
indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section
7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties
thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an
unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out
of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include
a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by
or on behalf of any indemnified party.

         (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel it is entitled to
reimbursement for under this Agreement, and shall have, if requested, provided
such indemnifying party reasonably detailed information regarding such fees and
expenses (including with respect to the services performed, the rate or rates
charged and the expenses incurred) such indemnifying party agrees that it shall
be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii)
effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more
than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request,
(ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such
settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and
(iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party
in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

         SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section
6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one
hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities
pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is
not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the
relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the
other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.

         The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities
pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective
proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities
pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case
as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used, the
corresponding


                                       23



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


location on the Term Sheet, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price
of the Securities as set forth on such cover.

         The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

         The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this Section. The aggregate amount
of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified
party and referred to above in this Section shall be deemed to include any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.

         Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         For purposes of this Section, each person, if any, who controls an
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall
have the same rights to contribution as the Company. The Underwriters'
respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section are several in
proportion to the amount of Securities set forth opposite their respective names
in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

         SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiary
submitted pursuant hereto shall remain operative


                                       24



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the
Company, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters.

         SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.

         (a) Termination; General. The Representatives may terminate this
Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time
(i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
subsidiary considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary
course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in
the financial markets in the United States or the international financial
markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or
crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national
or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the
effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives,
impracticable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of
the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been
suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the Nasdaq National Market,
or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock
Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or materially
limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum
ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system
or by order of the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. or any other governmental authority, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has
been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

         (b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this
Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections
1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and
effect.

         SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more
of the Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time to purchase the Securities which
it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the "Defaulted
Securities"), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours
thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting
Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all,
of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the
terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have
completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

                  (a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10%
         of the aggregate amount of the Securities to be purchased hereunder,
         the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, each severally and
         not jointly, to purchase the full


                                       25



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting
         obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all
         non-defaulting Underwriters, or

                  (b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the
         aggregate amount of the Securities to be purchased hereunder, this
         Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any
         non-defaulting Underwriter.

         No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

         In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination
of this Agreement, either the Representatives or the Company shall have the
right to postpone Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven days in order to
effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in
any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term "Underwriter"
includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section.

         SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the
Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at North Tower, World
Financial Center, New York, New York 10281, attention of General Counsel; and
notices to the Company shall be directed to it at CD Radio Inc., 1001 22d St.,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, attention of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

         SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the Underwriters and the Company and their respective
successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or
shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the
Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the controlling
persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their
heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This
Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the
sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and their
respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors
and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other
person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter
shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

         SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.


                                       26



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         SECTION 14. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein
and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction hereof.








                                       27



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon
this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement
between the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            CD RADIO INC.


                                            By
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Title:


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
  as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
LIBRA INVESTMENTS, INC.

By:  MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                INCORPORATED


By
  ------------------------------------
          Authorized Signatory


For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in
Schedule A hereto.


                                       28



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE A

                                                                      Number of
      Name of Underwriter                                            Securities
      -------------------                                            ----------

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated..........................................     9,037
Lehman Brothers Inc...............................................     2,582
Libra Investments, Inc............................................     1,291
                                                                      ------

Total.............................................................    12,910
                                                                      ======




                                     Sch A-1



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE B


                                  CD RADIO INC.

         12,910 Units, each Unit consisting of $20,000 aggregate principal
amount at maturity of 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 and one
Warrant, each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire $3,000 aggregate
principal amount at maturity of 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes.



         1. The initial public offering price of the Units shall be $9,684.40
per Unit, plus accrued amortization of original issue discount on the Notes, if
any, from November 26, 1997.

         2. The purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Units
shall be $9,345.446 per Unit, plus accrued amortization of original issue
discount on the Notes, if any, from November 26, 1997.

         3. The interest rate on the Notes shall be 15% per annum.





                                     Sch B-1



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                                                       Exhibit A


                      FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL

         (i) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

         (ii) The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Purchase
Agreement.

         (iii) The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
transact business and is in good standing in the District of Columbia, which is
the only jurisdiction in which the Company is required to be qualified, whether
by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business as
of the date hereof, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good
standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (iv) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company is as set forth in the Prospectus in the column entitled "Actual" under
the caption "Capitalization" (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant
to the Stock Offerings, the Exchange Offer or pursuant to reservations,
agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectus or pursuant
to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the
Prospectus); the shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable; and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company was issued in violation of the preemptive rights or provisions contained
in (i) the Charter Documents or (ii) the General corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (the "DGCL").

         (v) The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company
have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth in the
Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and
no holder of the Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by
reason of being such a holder.

         (vi) Satellite CD Radio, Inc. has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is
duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good
standing the District of Columbia, which is the only jurisdiction in which the
Company is required to be qualified, whether by reason of the ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to
qualify or to be in good standing would not


                                       A-1



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of Satellite CD Radio, Inc. has been duly authorized and validly issued,
is fully paid and non-assessable and, to our knowledge, is owned by the Company
free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance,
claim or equity; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Satellite CD
Radio, Inc. was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any
securityholder in (i) Satellite CD Radio Inc's certificate of incorporation or
by-laws or (ii) the DGCL.

         (vii) The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company.

         (viii) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Company and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery
thereof by the Trustee) constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).

         (ix) The Notes are in the form contemplated by the Indenture, have been
duly authorized by the Company and, assuming that the Notes have been duly
authenticated by the Trustee in the manner described in its certificate
delivered to you today (which fact such counsel need not determine by an
inspection of the Notes), the Notes have been duly executed, issued and
delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except
as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law), and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

         (x) The Indenture has been duly qualified under the 1939 Act.

         (xi) The Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company and (assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery thereof by the Warrant Agent) constitutes a valid and binding agreement
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
(including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).


                                       A-2



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         (xii) The Warrants are in the form contemplated by the Warrant
Agreement, have been duly authorized by the Company and, assuming that the
Warrants have been duly executed by the Warrant Agent in the manner described in
its certificate delivered to you today (which fact such counsel need not
determine by an inspection of the Warrants), the Warrants have been duly
executed, issued and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture.

         (xiii) The Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants
have been duly authorized and reserved by the Company and, when issued and
delivered upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the terms of the
Warrants and the Warrant Agreement, will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be in the form contemplated by, and
entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

         (xiv) The Pledge Agreement (assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery thereof by the Trustee) constitutes a valid and binding agreement
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
(including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).

         (xv) The Units, the Notes, the Warrants, the Indenture, the Warrant
Agreement and the Pledge Agreement conform as to legal matters in all material
respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus.

         (xvi) The provisions of the Pledge Agreement are effective to create in
favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Units a valid
security interest in the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Pledge Agreement)
to secure the payment of principal of and interest on, and any other amounts
owning in respect of, the Notes. Upon delivery of the Pledged Collateral to the
Trustee, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in
blank, and the registration thereof in the name of the Trustee, the security
interest of the Trustee in the Pledged Collateral will be a first priority,
perfected security interest.


                                       A-3



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



         (xvii) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, has been declared effective under the 1933 Act; any
required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the
manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and, to the best of
our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the
1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending
or threatened by the Commission.

         (xviii) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information,
as applicable, the Prospectus, excluding the documents incorporated by reference
therein, and each amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, excluding the documents incorporated by reference therein, as of
their respective effective or issue dates (other than the financial statements
and supporting schedules included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we
need express no opinion) complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

         (xix) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (other
than the financial statements and supporting schedules included therein or
omitted therefrom, as to which we need express no opinion), when they were filed
with the Commission complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder.

         (xx) To our knowledge, (without having done any search of judicial
records or the records of any governmental agency or body) there is not pending
or threatened any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, to which
the Company or its subsidiary is a party, or to which the property of the
Company or its subsidiary is subject, before or brought by any court or
governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, which might reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be
expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement or
the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder (other than any
pending of threatened actions, proceedings, inquiries or investigations relating
to the Federal Communications Commission, as to which we express no opinion) .

         (xxi) The information in the Prospectus under "Description of Units",
"Description of the Notes", "Description of the Warrants", "Description of
Capital Stock", "Certain United States Tax Considerations" and "Business--Legal
Proceedings" in the Registration Statement under Item 15, to the extent that it
constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the Company's charter
and by-laws or legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us
and is correct in all material respects.

         (xxii) To our knowledge, there are no statutes or regulations of the
United States or the State of New York or provisions of the DGCL that are
required to be described in the Prospectus that are not described as required
(except that we express no opinion as to the


                                       A-4



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


Federal Communications Act or other general statutes or regulations of the
Federal Communications Commission affecting digital radio satellite
broadcasting).

         (xxiii) All descriptions in the Registration Statement of contracts and
other documents to which the Company or its subsidiary are a party are accurate
in all material respects; to our knowledge, there are no franchises, contracts,
indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments
required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be
filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or referred to therein or
filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits thereto.

         (xxiv) To our knowledge, (a) neither the Company nor its subsidiary is
in violation of its charter or by-laws and (b) except as described in the
Registration Statement, no default by the Company or its subsidiary exists in
the due performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement,
covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument that is described or
referred to in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or filed or
incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

         (xxv) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license,
order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental
authority or agency of the State of New York or the United States (other than
under the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act, which were made, or as may be required
under the securities or blue sky laws of the various states, as to which we
express no opinion) or under the DGCL is necessary or required in connection
with the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement or
for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities.

         (xxvi) The execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase
Agreement and in the Registration Statement (including the issuance and sale of
the Securities, and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as
described in the Prospectus under the caption "Use Of Proceeds") and compliance
by the Company with its obligations under the Purchase Agreement do not and will
not, whether with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both,
conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as
defined in Section 1(a)(xvii) of the Purchase Agreement) under, or result in the
creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or
assets of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, any contract, indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or any other
agreement or instrument, filed as an exhibit or described in the Registration
Statement, to which the Company or its subsidiary is a party or by which it or
any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the
Company or its subsidiary is subject (except for such conflicts, breaches or
defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not have a Material
Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions
of the charter or by-laws of the Company or its subsidiary, or any applicable
law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree, known to us, of
any government, government


                                       A-5



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


instrumentality or court of the State of New York or the United States, having
jurisdiction over the Company or its subsidiary or any of their respective
properties, assets or operations.

         (xxvii) The Company is not, and upon consummation of the Units Offering
and the Stock Offerings will not be, an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are defined in the
Investment Companies Act of 1940, as amended..

         (xxvi) The Voting Trust Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law); the provisions of the Voting Trust Agreement create a "voting
trust" as provided in Section 218 under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

         In addition, although we have not undertaken to investigate or verify
independently, and are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility
for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the contents of the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus (except with respect to certain matters of
corporate law, as set forth in paragraphs 5, 19 and 21 above), in connection
with the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, we have
participated in conferences with representatives and counsel of Merrill Lynch
and with certain officers and employees of, and the counsel and independent
certified public accountants for, the Company, at which conferences the contents
of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and related matters were
discussed, and advise you that nothing has come to our attention that would lead
us to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto,
including the Rule 430A Information and Rule 434 Information (if applicable),
(except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included
or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we need
make no statement), at the time such Registration Statement or any such
amendment became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial statements and schedules
and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein or
omitted therefrom, as to which we need make no statement), at the time the
Prospectus were issued, at the time any such amended or supplemented prospectus
was issued or at the Closing Time, included or includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.

         In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
involving the application of the federal communications laws of the United
States, upon the opinion of Wiley, Rein & Fielding, special counsel to the
Company (which opinion shall be dated and furnished to Merrill Lynch at the
Closing Time, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to counsel for


                                       A-6



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


Merrill Lynch and shall expressly state that Merrill Lynch may rely on such
opinion as if it were addressed to Merrill Lynch), provided that Paul, Weiss,
Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison shall state in their opinion that they believe that
they and Merrill Lynch are justified in relying upon such opinion, and (B), as
to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem
proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public
officials. Such opinion shall not state that it is to be governed or qualified
by, or that it is otherwise subject to, any treatise, written policy or other
document relating to legal opinions, including, without limitation, the Legal
Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).





                                       A-7



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                       Exhibit B


              FORM OF OPINION OF REGULATORY COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY

         (A) (1) the execution, and delivery and performance of the Purchase
Agreements and the Pledge Agreement relating to the Stock Offerings and the
Units Offering and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and
in the Prospectuses used in connection with the Stock Offerings and the Units
Offering, the consummation of the Stock Offerings, the Units Offering, the
Exchange Offer and the granting of a security interest in the Pledged Collateral
in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement, and compliance by the
Company with its obligations thereunder do not violate (i) the Federal
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"), (ii) any
rules or regulations of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") applicable
to the Company or its subsidiaries, (iii) any state telecommunications law,
rules or regulations ("State Law") applicable to the Company or its
subsidiaries, and (iv) to the best of such counsel's knowledge, any decree from
any court, and (2) no consent, approval, authorization or order of or filing
with the FCC or any state authority overseeing telecommunications matters
("State Authority"), is necessary for the execution, delivery and performance of
the Purchase Agreements relating to the Stock Offerings and the Units Offering,
the consummation of the Stock Offerings, the Units Offering and Exchange Offer
and except for consents, approvals, authorizations or orders of or
qualifications as have already been obtained and except to the extent that the
failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or orders or to
qualify with the FCC or any State Authority would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the prospects, condition (financial
or otherwise) or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

         (B) Except as described in the Prospectuses used in connection with the
Stock Offerings and the Units Offering, (1) each of the Company and all of its
subsidiaries have made all reports and filings, and paid all fees, required by
the FCC and the State Authorities, and have all certificates, orders, permits,
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals of and from, and have made all
filings and registrations, with the FCC and the State Authorities necessary to
own, lease, license and use its properties and assets and to conduct the
business now operated by them or intended to be operated by them in the manner
described in the Prospectuses used in connection with the Stock Offerings and
the Units Offering; and (2) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
received any notice of proceedings relating to the violation, revocation or
modification of any such certificates, orders, permits, licenses,
authorizations, consents or approvals, or the qualification or rejection of any
such filing or registration, the effect of which, singly or in the aggregate,
would have a material adverse effect on the prospects, condition, financial or
otherwise, earnings, operations or business of the Company and its subsidiaries
now operated by them or intended to be operated by them in the manner described
in the Prospectuses used in connection with the Stock Offerings and the Units
Offering, taken as a whole;


                                       A-8



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


         (C) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of,
or in default under the Communications Act, the telecommunications rules or
regulations of the FCC or State Law, the effect of which, singly or in the
aggregate, would have a material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

         (D) to the best of such counsel's knowledge after due inquiry (i) no
adverse judgment, decree or order of the FCC or any State Authority has been
issued against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) no litigation,
proceeding, inquiry or investigation has been commenced or threatened against
the Company or any of its subsidiaries before or by the FCC or any State
Authority which, if decided adversely to the Company's interest, would have a
material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
and

         (E) the statements in the Prospectuses used in connection with the
Stock Offerings and the Units Offering under the captions "Risk Factors -
Continuing Oversight by the FCC," "Risk Factors - Application of Export Control
Regulations, "Risk Factors Competition," "Business - Competition," and "Business
- - Government Regulation,"insofar as such statements constitute a summary of the
legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly summarize
the matters referred to therein.


                                       A-9



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                       Exhibit C


                FORM OF OPINION OF PATENT COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY

         (A) The Company has received the following U.S. patents: ________, and
no facts have come to the attention of such counsel that have led such counsel
to express an opinion that any of such patents is unenforceable or invalid.

         (B) Such counsel is not aware of any pending or threatened action,
suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company is infringing or otherwise
violating any patents or other proprietary information of others.

         (C) Such counsel has no knowledge of any adversarial legal or
governmental proceedings or interference proceedings pending relating to patents
of the Company; and

         (D) the statements in the Prospectuses used in connection with the
Stock Offerings and the Units Offering under the captions "Risk Factors--
Uncertain Protection" and "Business--Technology, Patents and Trademarks,"
insofar as such statements constitute a summary of the legal matters, documents
or proceedings referred to therein, fairly summarize the matters referred to
therein.




                                      A-10



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                       Exhibit D


                            FORM OF OPINION OF OTHER
                  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY

         (A) To such counsel's knowledge, the Applications are still pending and
all filings required to be made by the date of such opinion have been made.

         (B) Such counsel is not aware of any pending or threatened action,
suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company is infringing or otherwise
violating any trademarks of others.

         (C) Aside from the pending Applications, we have no knowledge of any
pending or threatened adversarial legal or governmental proceedings or
interference proceedings relating to the Applications.





                                      A-11



<PAGE>



<PAGE>

================================================================================


                                  CD RADIO INC.

                                       TO

                       IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY,

                                     Trustee

                              --------------------



                                    Indenture

                           Dated as of November , 1997



                              ---------------------



                    $296,930,000 principal amount at maturity


                               15% Senior Secured
                                 Discount Notes
                                    due 2007





================================================================================

<PAGE>

<PAGE>





               Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act
               of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of November , 1997

Trust Indenture
  Act Section                                            Indenture Section

'SS' 310(a)(1)       .......................................  607
       (a)(2)        .......................................  607
       (b)           .......................................  607, 608
'SS' 312(c)          .......................................  701
'SS' 314(a)          .......................................  703
       (a)(4)        .......................................  1008(a)
       (c)(1)        .......................................  102
       (c)(2)        .......................................  102
       (e)           .......................................  102
'SS' 315(b)          .......................................  601
'SS' 316(a)(last
       sentence)    .......................................  101 ("Outstanding")
       (a)(1)(A)     .......................................  502, 512
       (a)(1)(B)     .......................................  513
       (b)           .......................................  508
       (c)           .......................................  104(d)
'SS' 317(a)(1)       .......................................  503
       (a)(2)        .......................................  504
       (b)           .......................................  1003
'SS' 318(a)          .......................................  111



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Page

<S>              <C>                                                                      <C>
PARTIES..................................................................................... 1
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY..................................................................... 1

                                          ARTICLE ONE

                               DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
                                    OF GENERAL APPLICATION

   SECTION 101.  Definitions...............................................................  2
   SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions...................................... 27
   SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.................................... 28
   SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders........................................................... 29
   SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company..................................... 30
   SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver................................................. 30
   SECTION 107.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.................................. 31
   SECTION 108.  Successors and Assigns.................................................... 31
   SECTION 109.  Separability Clause....................................................... 31
   SECTION 110.  Benefits of Indenture..................................................... 31
   SECTION 111.  Governing Law............................................................. 32
   SECTION 112.  Legal Holidays............................................................ 32

                                          ARTICLE TWO

                                          NOTE FORMS

   SECTION 201.  Form of Note and Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.................. 32
   SECTION 202.  Notes Issued in Global Form............................................... 33

                                         ARTICLE THREE

                                           THE NOTES

   SECTION 301.  Title and Terms........................................................... 34
   SECTION 302.  Denominations............................................................. 34
   SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating............................ 35
</TABLE>

- --------
Note:   This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
        part of this Indenture.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       ii
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Page

<S>              <C>                                                                    <C>
   SECTION 304.  Temporary Notes........................................................... 36
   SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange....................... 36
   SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes............................... 37
   SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved............................ 38
   SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners..................................................... 39
   SECTION 309.  Cancellation.............................................................. 40
   SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest................................................... 40

                                         ARTICLE FOUR

                                  SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

   SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture................................... 40
   SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money................................................ 42

                                         ARTICLE FIVE

                                           REMEDIES

   SECTION 501.  Events of Default......................................................... 42
   SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment........................ 44
   SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee........... 45
   SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.......................................... 46
   SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes.................... 47
   SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected............................................ 47
   SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits....................................................... 48
   SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
                        Interest........................................................... 48
   SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies........................................ 49
   SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative............................................ 49
   SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.............................................. 49
   SECTION 512.  Control by Holders........................................................ 49
   SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults................................................... 50
   SECTION 514.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.......................................... 50

                                          ARTICLE SIX

                                          THE TRUSTEE

   SECTION 601.  Notice of Defaults........................................................ 50

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       iii
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Page

<S>              <C>                                                                       <C>
   SECTION 602.  Certain Rights of Trustee................................................. 51
   SECTION 603.  Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes................. 52
   SECTION 604.  May Hold Notes............................................................ 53
   SECTION 605.  Money Held in Trust....................................................... 53
   SECTION 606.  Compensation and Reimbursement............................................ 53
   SECTION 607.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests............ 54
   SECTION 608.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor......................... 54
   SECTION 609.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.................................... 56
   SECTION 610.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business............... 56

                                         ARTICLE SEVEN

                       HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

   SECTION 701.  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.............................. 57
   SECTION 702.  Reports by Trustee........................................................ 57
   SECTION 703.  Reports by Company........................................................ 57

                                         ARTICLE EIGHT

                     CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

   SECTION 801.  Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms....................... 58
   SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted..................................................... 59
   SECTION 803.  Notes to Be Secured in Certain Events..................................... 60

                                         ARTICLE NINE

                                    SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

   SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders........................ 60
   SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders........................... 62
   SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures...................................... 63
   SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures......................................... 63
   SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act....................................... 63
   SECTION 906.  Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures............................. 63
   SECTION 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures......................................... 64
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       iv
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Page
<S>               <C>                                                                      <C>
                                          ARTICLE TEN

                                           COVENANTS

   SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium, if Any, and Interest...................... 64
   SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.......................................... 64
   SECTION 1003.  Money for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust.............................. 65
   SECTION 1004.  Corporate Existence...................................................... 66
   SECTION 1005.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims........................................ 66
   SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties................................................ 66
   SECTION 1007.  Insurance................................................................ 67
   SECTION 1008.  Statement by Officers as to Default...................................... 68
   SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Statements........................................ 68
   SECTION 1010.  Purchase of Notes upon Change in Control................................. 69
   SECTION 1011.  Limitation on Indebtedness............................................... 70
   SECTION 1012.  Limitation on Restricted Payments........................................ 70
   SECTION 1013.  Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted
                        Subsidiaries....................................................... 73
   SECTION 1014.  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates............................... 74
   SECTION 1015.  Limitation on Liens...................................................... 75
   SECTION 1016.  Limitation on Sale of Assets............................................. 75
   SECTION 1017.  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
                        Restricted Subsidiaries............................................ 76
   SECTION 1018.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.............................................. 77
   SECTION 1019.  Required Stock Ownership................................................. 78
   SECTION 1020.  Further Assurances....................................................... 78
   SECTION 1021.  Limitation on Subsidiary Business Activities............................. 78

                                        ARTICLE ELEVEN

                                      REDEMPTION OF NOTES

   SECTION 1101.  Right of Redemption...................................................... 78
   SECTION 1102.  Applicability of Article................................................. 78
   SECTION 1103.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.................................... 79
   SECTION 1104.  Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed............................. 79
   SECTION 1105.  Notice of Redemption..................................................... 79
   SECTION 1106.  Deposit of Redemption Price.............................................. 80
   SECTION 1107.  Notes Payable on Redemption Date......................................... 80
   SECTION 1108.  Notes Redeemed in Part................................................... 81

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        v
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Page
<S>               <C>                                                                      <C>

                                        ARTICLE TWELVE

                               SECURITY AND PLEDGE OF COLLATERAL

   SECTION 1201.  Collateral Documents..................................................... 81
   SECTION 1202.  Trustee May Perform...................................................... 81
   SECTION 1203.  Collateral Trust Arrangements............................................ 82
   SECTION 1204.  Certificates and Opinions................................................ 82

                                       ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                              DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

   SECTION 1301.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance............. 82
   SECTION 1302.  Defeasance and Discharge................................................. 83
   SECTION 1303.  Covenant Defeasance...................................................... 83
   SECTION 1304.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.......................... 84
   SECTION 1305.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
                        Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.............................. 86

   SECTION 1306.  Reinstatement............................................................ 86

TESTIMONIUM................................................................................ 87
SIGNATURES................................................................................. 87

EXHIBIT A -- FORM OF NOTE

</TABLE>




<PAGE>

<PAGE>

               INDENTURE, dated as of November , 1997 between CD Radio Inc., a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at Sixth Floor, 1001
22nd Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20037, and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,
a bank duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

               The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of 15%
Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 (herein called the "Notes"), of
substantially the tenor and amount hereinafter set forth, and to provide
therefor the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture.

               The Notes have been issued in the form of Units consisting of
Notes and Warrants to acquire additional Notes with an aggregate principal
amount at maturity of $38,730,000 (the "Warrants").

               The Company has determined to secure its obligations in respect
of the Notes and duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Collateral
Documents (as defined herein) to which it is a party.

               This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this
Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

               All things necessary have been done to make the Notes, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly
issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company and to make this
Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with their and its
terms.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

               For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the
equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        2

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                        DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
                             OF GENERAL APPLICATION

               SECTION 101.  Definitions.

               For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

               (a) the terms defined in this Article One have the meanings
        assigned to them in this Article One, and include the plural as well as
        the singular;

               (b) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
        Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the
        meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms "cash transaction" and
        "self-liquidating paper", as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the
        meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under
        the Trust Indenture Act;

               (c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
        meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted
        accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly
        provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with
        respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean
        such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such
        computation; and

               (d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
        of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any
        particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

               "Accreted Value" is defined to mean, for any specified date, the
amount calculated pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) below for each
$1,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes:

               (i) If the specified date occurs on one or more of the following
        dates (each a "Semi-Annual Accrual Date"), the Accreted Value will equal
        the amount set forth below for such Semi-Annual Accrual Date:


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        3

    Semi-Annual Accreted
        Accrual Date                                      Value
        ------------                                      ------
        [            ], 1998.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 1998.....................    $[           ]
        [            ], 1999.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 1999.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 2000.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 2000.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 2001.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 2001.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 2002.......................  $[           ]
        [            ], 2002.......................  $1,000


               (ii) If the specified date occurs before the first Semi-Annual
        Accrual Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a) the original
        issue price and (b) an amount equal to the product of (1) the Accreted
        Value for the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the original issue
        price multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
        of days from the date of this Indenture to the Specified Date, using a
        360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is
        the number of days elapsed from the date of this Indenture to the first
        Semi-Annual Accrual Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

               (iii) If the specified date occurs between two Semi-Annual
        Accrual Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a) the Accreted
        Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such
        specified date and (b) an amount equal to the product of (1) the
        Accreted Value for the immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date
        less the Accreted Value for the immediately preceding Semi-Annual
        Accrual Date multiplied by (2) a fraction the numerator of which is the
        number of days from the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date
        to the specified date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
        the denominator of which is 180; or

               (iv) If the specified date occurs after the last Semi-Annual
        Accrual Date, the Accreted Value will equal $1,000.

               "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (a)
existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) assumed
in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case,
other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of,
such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition; provided that,
for purposes of Section 1011, such Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred
on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the
acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        4

               "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning
specified in Section 104.

               "Adjusted Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" means Consolidated
Operating Cash Flow for the latest four fiscal quarters for which consolidated
financial statements of Company are available, taken as a whole. For purposes of
calculating "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" for any four fiscal quarter
period for purposes of this definition, (i) all Restricted Subsidiaries of the
Company on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate
"Adjusted Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" (the "Transaction Date") shall be
deemed to have been Restricted Subsidiaries at all times during such four fiscal
quarter period and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary on the Transaction Date
shall be deemed to have been an Unrestricted Subsidiary at all times during such
four fiscal quarter period. In addition to and without limitation of the
foregoing, for purposes of this definition, "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow"
shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the applicable
four fiscal quarter period to, without duplication, (i) any Asset Sales or Asset
Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise
to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result
of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise being liable for
Acquired Indebtedness) occurring during the period commencing on the first day
of such four fiscal quarter period to and including the Transaction Date (the
"Reference Period"), as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition occurred on the
first day of the Reference Period and (ii) any incurrence or repayment,
retirement or permanent reduction of any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary during the Reference Period, as if such incurrence,
repayment, retirement or reduction occurred on the first day of the Reference
Period.

               "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) any
other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct
or indirect common control with such specified Person or (ii) any other Person
that owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of such specified Person's Voting
Stock or any executive officer or director of any such specified Person or other
Person or, with respect to any natural Person, any Person having a relationship
with such Person by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first
cousin. For the purposes of this definition, "control", when used with respect
to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies
of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

               "Arianespace Agreement" means, collectively, the two Customer
Loan Agreements, each dated July 22, 1997, between the Company and Arianespace
S.A., as either such agreement is from time to time amended or supplemented in
accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        5

               "Asset Acquisition" means (i) any capital contribution (by means
of transfers of cash or other property to others or payments for property or
services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person, or any acquisition or purchase of
Capital Stock of any other Person by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
in either case pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted
Subsidiary or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (ii) any acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the assets of any Person which constitute substantially all of an operating
unit or line of business of such person or which is otherwise outside of the
ordinary course of business.

               "Asset Sale" means any direct or indirect sale, conveyance,
transfer or lease (that has the effect of a disposition and is not for security
purposes) or other disposition (that is not for security purposes) to any Person
other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in one transaction or a series
of related transactions, of (i) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary,
(ii) any material license or other authorization of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) any assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary which constitute substantially all of an operating unit or line of
business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iv) any other
property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the
ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this definition, the term
"Asset Sale" shall not include (i) any disposition of properties and assets of
the Company that is governed by the provisions of Article Eight, (ii) sales of
property or equipment that have become worn out, obsolete or damaged or
otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the business of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, (iii) sales of accounts
receivable by the Company for cash in an amount at least equal to the fair
market value of such accounts receivable, (iv) for purposes of Section 1016 any
sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of any property or asset,
whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, involving assets
with a Fair Market Value not in excess of $250,000 in any twelve-month period
and (v) sales of rights to the Company's transmissions outside the continental
United States and outside the ordinary course of the Company's business if (a)
after giving effect to such sale and for a six month period thereafter, the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have no Indebtedness outstanding
under any Bank Credit Agreement, (b) the consideration received by the Company
for such sale is at least 80% cash or Cash Equivalents and (c) the proceeds of
such sale are used by the Company for working capital or as provided in clause
(i) or (ii) of paragraph (b) of Section 1016.

               "Attributable Indebtedness" means with respect to an operating
lease included in any Sale and Leaseback Transaction at the time of
determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in
the lease or, if not known, at the Company's incremental borrowing rate) of the
obligations of the lessee of the property subject to such lease for rental
payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such transaction,
including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the
option of the

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        6

lessor, be extended, or until the earliest date on which the lessee may
terminate such lease without penalty or upon payment of penalty (in which case
the rental payments shall include such penalty), after excluding from such
rental payments all amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and
repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water, utilities and similar charges.

               "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination with
respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of
the products of (i) the number of years from the date of determination to the
date or dates of each successive scheduled principal payment (including, without
limitation, any sinking fund requirements) of such Indebtedness multiplied by
(ii) the amount of each such principal payment by (b) the sum of all such
principal payments.

               "Bank Credit Agreement" means any one or more credit agreements
(which may include or consist of revolving credit agreements or similar
arrangements) between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and one or more
banks or other financial institutions providing financing for the business of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

               "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended, or any similar United States federal or state law, or any similar law
of any other jurisdiction, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or any amendment
to, succession to or change in any such law.

               "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company
or any duly authorized committee thereof.

               "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

               "Bond Collateral" has the meaning specified in the definition of
Permitted Liens.

               "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New
York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

               "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations, rights in or
other equivalents (however designated) of such Person's capital stock or other
equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, in such Person, including any Preferred Stock, and any


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        7

rights (other than debt securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or
options exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock, whether now
outstanding or issued after the date of this Indenture.

               "Capitalized Lease Obligation" of any Person means any obligation
of such Person and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis under a lease of (or
other agreement conveying the right to use) any property (whether real, personal
or mixed) that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease
obligation under GAAP, and, for the purpose of this Indenture, the amount of
such obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such
date, determined in accordance with GAAP.

               "Cash Equivalents" means (i) any evidence of Indebtedness with a
maturity of 180 days or less issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof
(provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is
pledged in support thereof); (ii) certificates of deposit or acceptances with a
maturity of 180 days or less of any financial institution that is a member of
the Federal Reserve System, in each case having combined capital and surplus and
undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (iii) commercial paper with a
maturity of 180 days or less issued by a corporation that is not an Affiliate of
the Company and is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or
the District of Columbia and rated at least A-1 by S&P or at least P-l by
Moody's and (iv) any money market mutual fund organized under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof whose assets consist solely of cash or the
foregoing instruments.

               "CD Radio Assets" means all assets, rights, services and
properties, whether tangible or intangible, used or intended for use in
connection with a CD Radio Business, including, without limitation, satellites,
terrestrial repeating stations, uplink facilities, musical libraries and other
recorded programming, furniture, fixtures and equipment and telemetry, tracking,
monitoring and control equipment.

               "CD Radio Business" means the business of transmitting digital
radio programming throughout the United States by satellite to be received by
paying subscribers, including, without limitation, any business in which the
Company is engaged on the date of this Indenture, and any business reasonably
related thereto.

               "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
events: (a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a Permitted Holder, is or becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a Person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 40% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        8

Company; (b) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into another
Person or conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with
or merges with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction
in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is not
converted or exchanged at all (except to the extent necessary to reflect a
change in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company) or is converted into
or exchanged for (A) Voting Stock (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) of the
surviving or transferee corporation or (B) Voting Stock (other than Redeemable
Capital Stock) of the surviving or transferee corporation and cash, securities
and other property (other than Capital Stock of the Surviving Entity) in an
amount that could be paid by the Company as a Restricted Payment as described
under Section 1012 and (ii) immediately after such transaction, no "person" or
"group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act)
is the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time),
directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the total outstanding Voting Stock
of the surviving or transferee corporation; (c) during any consecutive two-year
period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election to such
Board of Directors, or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the
Company, was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office;
or (d) the Company is liquidated or dissolved or a special resolution is passed
by the shareholders of the Company approving the plan of liquidation or
dissolution other than in a transaction which complies with the provisions of
Article Eight.

               "Closing Price" on any Trading Day with respect to the per share
price of any shares of Capital Stock means the last reported sale price regular
way or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the average of
the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way, in either case on the New
York Stock Exchange or, if such shares of Capital Stock are not listed or
admitted to trading on such exchange, on the principal national securities
exchange on which such shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if not
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations National Market
System or, if such shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange or quoted on such automated quotation system but the issuer
is a Foreign Issuer (as defined in Rule 3b-4(b) of the Exchange Act) and the
principal securities exchange on which such shares are listed or admitted to
trading is a Designated Offshore Securities Market (as defined in Rule 902(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), the average of the reported closing bid
and asked


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        9

prices regular way on such principal exchange, or, if such shares are not listed
or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or quoted on such
automated quotation system and the issuer of such shares and/or principal
securities exchange or quoted on such automated quotation system and the issuer
of such shares and/or principal securities exchange do not meet such
requirements, the average of the closing bid and asked prices in the
over-the-counter market as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm
that is selected from time to time by the Company for that purpose.

               "Collateral" means all property in which a security interest is
granted or purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents and not
released pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof.

               "Collateral Agent" means initially IBJ Schroder Bank and Trust
Company and thereafter any successor Collateral Agent that is a financial
institution in the State of New York selected by the Trustee, acting as the
agent and designee of the Trustee pursuant to a Custodian Agreement, that

               (a) is a financial intermediary (not a clearing corporation)
        within the meaning of Section 8-313(4) of the Uniform Commercial Code
        carrying on business in the State of New York,

               (b) issues (or whose parent issues) commercial paper or
        certificates of deposit rated as described in clause (c) of the
        definition of Cash Equivalent,

               (c) has combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not
        less than $500,000,000 and

               (d) enters into a Custodian Agreement.

               "Collateral Documents" means the Indenture, Custodian Agreement,
Pledge Agreement and the other Collateral Documents referred to therein.

               "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission
is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust
Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

               "Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however
designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person's common stock or
ordinary shares, whether outstanding


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       10

at the date of this Indenture, and includes, without limitation, all series and
classes of such common stock or ordinary shares.

               "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture, until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.

               "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman, its Chief Executive
Officer, its President, any Vice President, its Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer, and delivered to the Trustee.

               "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, with respect to any
period, the provision for United States corporation, local, foreign and other
income taxes of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

               "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, without
duplication, the sum of (a) the interest expense of the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, (i)
amortization of original issue discount, (ii) the net cost of Interest Rate
Agreements (including amortization of discounts), (iii) the interest portion of
any deferred payment obligation (excluding the amortization of fees related to
the issuance of the Notes), (iv) accrued interest, (v) the consolidated amount
of any interest capitalized by the Company, and (vi) all commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance financing, plus (b) the interest component of Capitalized Lease
Obligations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries paid, accrued and/or
scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period, in each case as determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (c) cash and non-cash
dividends paid on Redeemable Capital Stock by the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (to any Person other than the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary),
in each case as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
provided that the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any
Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and (A) bearing a floating interest
rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the date of computation had
been the applicable rate for the entire period and (B) which was not outstanding
during the period for which the computation is being made but which bears, at
the option of the Company, a fixed or floating rate of interest, shall be
computed by applying, at the option of the Company, either the fixed or the
floating rate.

               "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the consolidated
net income (or loss) of the Company and all Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by excluding, without
duplication, (a) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses (less all fees
and expenses relating thereto), (b) any net after-tax


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       11

gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to
asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business, (c) the
portion of net income (or loss) of any Person (other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary), including Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in which the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has an ownership interest, except to the
extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash dividends or distributions during
such period, (d) net income (or loss) of any Person combined with the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary on a "pooling of interests" basis attributable to any
period prior to the date of combination, (e) the net income of any Restricted
Subsidiary, to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is not at the date of
determination permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of
its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule
or governmental regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders and (f) any non-cash items of the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (including monetary corrections) increasing or decreasing
Consolidated Net Income for such period (other than items that will result in
the receipt or payment of cash).

               "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to any
period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period increased by (in each case to the extent included
in computing consolidated Net Income) the sum of (i) the Consolidated Income Tax
Expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries accrued according to GAAP
for such period (other than taxes attributable to extraordinary, unusual or
non-recurring gains or losses); (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period; (iii) depreciation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period; and (iv) amortization of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, amortization of
capitalized debt issuance costs for such period, all determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

               "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal corporate trust
office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust
business shall be administered which office at the date of execution of this
Indenture is located at One State Street, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10004,
except that with respect to presentation of Notes for payment or for
registration of transfer or exchange, such term shall mean the office or agency
of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate agency business
shall be conducted.

               "Cumulative Available Cash Flow" means, as at any date of
determination, the positive cumulative Consolidated Operating Cash Flow realized
during the period commencing on the date of this Indenture and ending on the
last day of the most recent fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of
determination for which consolidated financial information of the Company is
available or, if such cumulative Consolidated Operating Cash

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       12

Flow for such period is negative, the negative amount by which cumulative
Consolidated Operating Cash Flow is less than zero.

               "Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into
by a Person that is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in
currency values.

               "Custodian Agreement" means an agreement between the Trustee and
a Collateral Trustee that provides for the holding of the Collateral in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

               "Default" means any event that after notice or passage of time or
both would be an Event of Default.

               "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

               "Depository" has the meaning specified in Section 205.

               "Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction
or series of transactions in respect of which the Board of Directors is required
to deliver a resolution of the Board of Directors under this Indenture, a member
of the Board of Directors who does not have any material direct or indirect
financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of
transactions.

               "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

               "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property,
the sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction between an
informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and
willing buyer under no compulsion to buy.

               "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" or "GAAP" means
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently
applied, that are in effect on the date of this Indenture.

               "guarantee" means, as applied to any obligation, (a) a guarantee
(other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or
all of such obligation and (b) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance)


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       13

of all or any part of such obligation, including, without limiting the
foregoing, the payment of amounts drawn down by letters of credit.

               "Holder" or "Noteholder" means a Person in whose name a Note is
registered in the Note Register.

               "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without
duplication, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such
Person and whether or not contingent, (a) all liabilities of such Person for
borrowed money (including overdrafts) or for the deferred purchase price of
property or services, excluding any trade payables and other accrued current
liabilities (including outstanding disbursements) incurred in the ordinary
course of business (whether or not evidenced by a note), but including, without
limitation, all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in
connection with any letters of credit and acceptances issued under letter of
credit facilities, acceptance facilities or other similar facilities, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar instruments, (c) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller
or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
repossession or sale of such property), but excluding trade accounts payable
arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (e) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not
excluded from) the preceding clauses of other Persons and all dividends of other
Persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by)
any Lien upon or with respect to property (including, without limitation,
accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has
not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (the amount of
such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or
asset or the amount of the obligation so secured), (f) all guarantees by such
Person of Indebtedness referred to in this definition of any other Person, (g)
all Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person valued at the greater of its
voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, (h) all obligations of such Person under or in respect of Interest
Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements and (i) all Attributable Indebtedness of
such Person. For purposes hereof, the "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any
Redeemable Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be
calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable Capital Stock as if
such Redeemable Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness
shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price
is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Redeemable Capital
Stock, such fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the board of
directors of the issuer of such Redeemable Capital Stock. For purposes of
Section 1011 and Section 1012 and the definition of "Events of Default", in
determining the principal amount of any Indebtedness to be incurred by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or which is outstanding at any date, (x) the
principal amount of any Indebtedness which


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       14

provides that an amount less than the principal amount at maturity thereof shall
be due upon any declaration of acceleration thereof shall be the Accreted Value
thereof at the date of determination and (y) effect shall be given to the impact
of any Currency Agreement with respect to such Indebtedness.

               "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as
it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.

               "Interest Payment Date" means the Stated Maturity of an
installment of interest on the Notes.

               "Interest Rate Agreements" means any interest rate protection
agreement and other types of interest rate hedging agreements or arrangements
(including, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and
similar agreements) designed to protect against or manage exposure to
fluctuations in interest rates in respect of Indebtedness.

               "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or
indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit or capital contribution to
(by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for
property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase,
acquisition or ownership by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued or owned by
any other Person and all other items that would be classified as investments on
a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Fair Market
Value of the net assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such
Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed
to be an "Investment" made by the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at
such time. "Investments" shall exclude extensions of trade credit on
commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices.

               "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or
otherwise), privilege, security interest, hypothecation, assignment for
security, claim, or preference or priority or other encumbrance upon or with
respect to any property of any kind, real or personal, movable or immovable, now
owned or hereafter acquired. A Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien
any property which such Person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of
a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other
title retention agreement.

               "Loral Satellite Purchase Contract" means the Contract No.
SS/L-TP93002-01, dated March 2, 1993, between the Company and Loral Space
Systems, Inc., as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       15

               "Maturity" means, with respect to any Note, the date on which any
principal of such Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided,
whether at the Stated Maturity with respect to such principal or by declaration
of acceleration, call for redemption or purchase or otherwise.

               "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its
successors.

               "Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale,
the proceeds thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments
in respect of deferred payment obligations or escrowed funds, but only when
received in the form of, or stock or other assets when disposed for, cash or
Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or
sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), net of (i)
brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses
of legal counsel, accountants, consultants and investment banks) related to such
Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset
Sale, (iii) payments made to retire Indebtedness where payment of such
Indebtedness is secured by the assets or properties the subject of such Asset
Sale or becomes due and payable as a result thereof, (iv) amounts required to be
paid to any Person (other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) owning
a beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset Sale and (v)
appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be, as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP against any
liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities,
liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any
indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as reflected in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee and (b) with respect to any
capital contribution or issuance or sale of Capital Stock as referred to under
Section 1012, the proceeds of such capital contribution, issuance or sale in the
form of cash or Cash Equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred
payment obligations when received in the form of, or stock or other assets when
disposed for, cash or Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such
obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary), net of attorney's fees, accountant's fees and brokerage,
consultation, financial, advisory, underwriting and other fees and expenses
actually incurred in connection with such capital contribution, issuance or sale
and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

               "Notes" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any Notes authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture.

               "Note Register" and "Note Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       16

               "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, and by
the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

               "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may
be counsel for the Company, including an employee of the Company, and who shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

               "Outstanding", when used with respect to Notes, means, as of the
date of determination, all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

                (i) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to
        the Trustee for cancellation;

               (ii) Notes, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption
        money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the
        Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set
        aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act
        as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Notes; provided that,
        if such Notes are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been
        duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory
        to the Trustee has been made;

               (iii) Notes, except to the extent provided in Sections 1302 and
        1303, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or
        covenant defeasance as provided in Article Thirteen; and

               (iv) Notes which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
        exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and
        delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Notes in
        respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
        satisfactory to it that such Notes are held by a bona fide purchaser in
        whose hands the Notes are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Notes have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, consent, notice or waiver hereunder, and for the
purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, Notes owned by
the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company
or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding,
except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making
such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which the Trustee knows to be
so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good
faith may be regarded as


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       17

Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the
pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not
the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company
or such other obligor.

               "Paying Agent" means any Person (including the Company acting as
Paying Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Company.

               "Pari Passu Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company that
is pari passu in right of payment to the Notes.

               "Permitted Holder" means Loral Space & Communications Ltd. and
Arianespace S.A.

               "Permitted Indebtedness" means any of the following:

               (a) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
        incurred under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor Credit
        Facilities, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50 million
        at any one time outstanding;

               (b) Indebtedness of the Company incurred under the Arianespace
        Agreement and Loral Satellite Purchase Contract, in an aggregate
        principal amount not to exceed $145 million at any one time outstanding;

                (c) Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to the Notes or the
        Warrants or of any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a guarantee of the
        Notes;

                (d) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
        outstanding on the date of this Indenture and listed on a schedule
        thereto;

               (e) Indebtedness of the Company owing to any Restricted
        Subsidiary; provided that any Indebtedness of the Company owing to any
        such Restricted Subsidiary is subordinated in right of payment to the
        Notes from and after such time as the Notes shall become due and payable
        (whether at Stated Maturity, acceleration or otherwise) to the payment
        and performance of the Company's obligations under the Notes; provided
        further that any disposition, pledge or transfer of any such
        Indebtedness to a Person (other than a disposition, pledge or transfer
        to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed to be
        an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company not permitted by this
        clause (e);

                (f) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company
        or to a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that any disposition, pledge or
        transfer of any such


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       18

        Indebtedness to a Person (other than a disposition, pledge or transfer
        to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed to be an
        incurrence of such Indebtedness by such Restricted Subsidiary not
        permitted by this clause (f);

               (g) obligations of the Company entered into in the ordinary
        course of business (i) pursuant to bona fide Interest Rate Agreements
        designed to protect the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary against
        fluctuations in interest rates in respect of Indebtedness of the Company
        or any Restricted Subsidiary, which obligations do not exceed the
        aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness, and (ii) pursuant to
        bona fide Currency Agreements entered into by the Company or any of its
        Restricted Subsidiaries and designed to protect such Person against
        fluctuation in currency values in respect of its (x) assets or (y)
        obligations;

               (h) Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations
        of the Company, the aggregate value (in the case of Capitalized Lease
        Obligations) or principal amount (in the case of Purchase Money
        Obligations) of which (including any refinancings (as defined in clause
        (l) below) thereof) does not exceed $20 million at any one time
        outstanding, less the amount of any Capitalized Lease Obligations and
        Purchase Money Obligations outstanding which are included in the amount
        of Indebtedness permitted under clause (d) above;

               (i) (x) Indebtedness of the Company incurred on or prior to
        December 31, 2000 such that, after giving effect to the incurrence
        thereof, the total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred
        under this clause (i)(x) and any refinancings thereof pursuant to clause
        (l) below would not exceed 125% of the Total Incremental Equity; and (y)
        Indebtedness incurred by the Company after December 31, 2000 such that,
        after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, the total aggregate
        principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under this clause (i)(y) and
        any refinancings thereof pursuant to clause (l) below would not exceed
        the sum of (1) 125% of the Total Incremental Equity on December 31, 2000
        plus the total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under
        clause (i)(x) and any refinancings thereof pursuant to clause (l) below,
        and (2) 100% of the difference between the Total Incremental Equity on
        the date of incurrence and the Total Incremental Equity on December 31,
        2000.

               (j) Indebtedness incurred (i) by the Company in an aggregate
        principal amount not to exceed $60 million at any one time outstanding
        to finance the operation of CD Radio Assets or the construction,
        expansion, development or acquisition of music libraries and other
        recorded programming, furniture, fixtures and equipment, provided that
        immediately prior to incurring such Indebtedness the Total Incremental
        Equity shall equal or exceed $40 million and (ii) by the Company or any
        Restricted Subsidiary to finance the purchase, construction, launch,
        insurance and other costs


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       19

        with respect to Satellite Assets for use in the CD Radio Business;
        provided that the net cash proceeds from the issuance of such
        Indebtedness does not exceed, as of the date of incurrence of such
        Indebtedness, 100% of the cost of such Satellite Assets less the
        aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding that was
        incurred to finance Satellite Assets;

               (k) unsecured Indebtedness of the Company incurred to finance the
        operation of CD Radio Assets or the construction, expansion, development
        or acquisition of music libraries and other recorded music programming,
        furniture, fixtures and equipment if such Indebtedness has an Average
        Life longer than the Average Life of the Notes and has a Final Stated
        Maturity after the Final Stated Maturity of the Notes;

               (l) in addition to the items referred to in clauses (a) through
        (k) above, Indebtedness of the Company having an aggregate principal
        amount not to exceed $15 million at any time outstanding; and

               (m) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to
        the extent it represents a replacement, renewal, refinancing, refunding
        or extension of outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or any
        Restricted Subsidiary incurred or outstanding pursuant to clauses (b),
        (c), (d), (i), (j)(ii) and (k) of this definition or the proviso of
        Section 1011; provided that (i) Indebtedness of the Company may not be
        replaced, renewed, refinanced, refunded or extended to such extent under
        this clause (l) with Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and (ii)
        any such replacement, renewal, refinancing, refunding or extension (x)
        shall not result in a lower Average Life of such Indebtedness as
        compared with the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced,
        refunded or extended, (y) shall not exceed the sum of the principal
        amount (or, if such Indebtedness provides for a lesser amount to be due
        and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, an amount no
        greater than such lesser amount) of the Indebtedness being replaced,
        renewed, refinanced, refunded or extended plus the amount of accrued
        interest thereon and the amount of any reasonably determined prepayment
        premium necessary to accomplish such replacement, renewal, refinancing,
        refunding or extension and the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in
        connection therewith, and (z) in the case of any replacement, renewal,
        refinancing, refunding or extension by the Company of Pari Passu
        Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness, such new Indebtedness is made
        pari passu with or subordinate to the Notes, at least to the same extent
        as the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended.

               "Permitted Investments" means (a) Cash Equivalents; (b)
Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and
lease, utility and workers' compensation, performance and other similar
deposits; (c) loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of
business; (d) Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements; (e) bonds,
notes, debentures or other securities received as a result of Asset Sales
permitted under Section 1016, provided that the Company and/or the Restricted


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       20

Subsidiaries, as the case may be, have received at least 80% of the aggregate
consideration therefrom in cash or Cash Equivalents; (f) Investments by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in another Person, if as a result of such
Investment (i) such other Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) such
other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all
or substantially all of its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(g) Investments in the Company or in any Restricted Subsidiary and (h)
investments not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses (a) through (g) in
an amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding.

               "Permitted Liens" means the following types of Liens:

               (a) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture;

               (b) Liens securing Indebtedness under any Vendor Credit Facility
        or Bank Credit Agreement incurred pursuant to clause (a) of the
        definition of Permitted Indebtedness so long as such Liens do not extend
        to (i) shares of Satellite CD Radio Inc. or any License owned by
        Satellite CD Radio Inc. that is required to operate a CD Radio business
        ("Bond Collateral");

                (c) Liens securing Indebtedness under the Arianespace Agreement
        and the Loral Satellite Purchase Contract;

                (d) Liens on any property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary
        granted in favor of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

               (e) Liens securing the Notes;

               (f) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness created prior to (and
        not in connection with or in contemplation of) the incurrence of such
        Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that
        such Lien does not extend to any property or assets of the Company or
        any Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets acquired in connection
        with the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness;

               (g) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease
        Obligation or any Purchase Money Obligation, in each case as permitted
        under clause (h) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness", and
        Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (j)(ii) of the
        definition of Permitted Indebtedness to finance the purchase,
        acquisition, construction or launch of a satellite that is not one of
        the first three satellites acquired or constructed by the Company so
        long as such Lien does not extend to any property or assets of the
        Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the satellite financed;

               (h) statutory Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen,
        mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other like Liens arising
        in the ordinary course of


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       21

        business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and with respect to
        amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by
        appropriate proceeding promptly instituted and diligently proceeding and
        for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
        required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;

               (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, government charges or claims
        that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by
        appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and
        for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
        required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;

               (j) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of
        tenders, bids, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
        government contracts, performance bonds and other obligations of a like
        nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than contracts
        for the payment of money);

               (k) easements, rights-of-way, encroachments and survey defects
        restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering
        in any material respect with the business of the Company or any
        Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

               (l) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of
        any court or arbitration proceeding so long as such Lien is adequately
        bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly
        initiated for the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not
        have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings
        may be initiated shall not have expired;

               (m) Liens securing obligations of the Company under Interest Rate
        Agreements or Currency Agreements or any collateral (other than Bond
        Collateral) for the Indebtedness to which such Interest Rate Agreements
        or Currency Agreements relate;

               (n) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
        business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
        insurance and other types of social security;

               (o) Liens securing reimbursement obligations of the Company or
        any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit that
        encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit
        and the products and proceeds thereof so long as such Liens do not
        extend to Bond Collateral;


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       22

               (p) any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part,
        of any Lien described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) (with
        respect to extensions, renewals or replacements either (i) securing
        Indebtedness incurred to Arianespace S.A., Loral Space Systems Inc. or
        any of their Affiliates or (ii) on assets that are not Bond Collateral)
        or (d) through (o); provided that any such extension, renewal or
        replacement shall be no more restrictive in any material respect than
        the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced and shall not extend to any
        additional property or assets;

               (q) Liens on Bond Collateral securing Indebtedness of the Company
        incurred pursuant to clause (i), (j) (i) or (l) of the definition of
        Permitted Indebtedness or Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the proviso
        of Section 1011 (other than Permitted Indebtedness); provided that each
        such Lien shall be equal and ratable in priority to the Lien on the Bond
        Collateral securing the Notes; and

               (r) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the
        Company or any shareholder Restricted Subsidiary with respect to
        obligations that do not exceed $5 million at any one time outstanding.

               "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

               "Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement dated as of
November __, 1997 from CD RADIO INC., as Pledgor, to IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST
COMPANY, as Collateral Agent, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time.

               "Pledged Stock" means the capital stock of Satellite CD Radio
Inc., a Delaware Corporation, that is pledged to secure the Notes.

               "Predecessor Note" of any particular Note means every previous
Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for a mutilated
security or in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to
evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note.

               "Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of
such Person's preferred or preference stock whether now outstanding, or issued
after the Closing Date, and including, without limitation, all classes and
series of preferred or preference stock of such Person.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       23

               "Purchase Money Obligations" means Indebtedness of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary (i) issued to finance or refinance the purchase or
construction of any assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii)
issued to finance the construction of satellite dish antennas or radio adapters
to receive the Company's services or (iii) secured by a Lien on any assets of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary where the lender's sole recourse is to
the assets so encumbered, (a) in the case of clauses (i) or (iii) above, to the
extent the purchase or construction prices for such assets are or should be
included in "addition to property, plant or equipment" in accordance with GAAP
and (b) in each case, if the purchase or construction of such assets is not part
of any acquisition of a Person or business unit.

               "Qualified Capital Stock" of any person means any and all Capital
Stock of such person other than Redeemable Capital Stock.

               "Redeemable Capital Stock" means any class or series of Capital
Stock that, either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or exchangeable or by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the
happening of an event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior
to the final Stated Maturity of the Notes or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof at any time prior to such final Stated Maturity, or is
convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such
final Stated Maturity; provided, however, that Redeemable Capital Stock shall
not include any Common Stock the holder of which has a right to put to the
Company upon certain terminations of employment and provided further that any
class or series of Capital Stock that would not constitute Redeemable Capital
Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require the
issuer of such Capital Stock to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the
occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control" occurring prior to the
final Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Redeemable Capital Stock
if the "asset sale" or "change of control" provisions applicable to such class
or series of Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such Capital
Stock in any material respect than the provisions of Section 1010 and Section
1016 and such class or series of Capital Stock specifically provides that the
issuer of such Capital Stock will not repurchase or redeem any such stock
pursuant to such provision prior to the Company's repurchase of such Notes as
are required to be purchased pursuant to Section 1010 and Section 1016, as
applicable.

               "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or
pursuant to this Indenture.

               "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       24

               "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest
Payment Date means the [      ] or [      ] (whether or not a Business Day), as
the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

               "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee,
means the chairman or any vice-chairman of the board of directors, the chairman
or any vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the
chairman of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, the
secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the
cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer,
the controller or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the
above-designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred
because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

               "Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

               "S&P" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
McGraw-Hill, Inc. and its successors.

               "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary with any lender or investor or to which such
lender or investor is a party providing for the leasing by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary of any property or asset of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary which has been or is being sold or transferred by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary not more than 270 days after the acquisition thereof to
such lender or investor or any Affiliate thereof or to any Person to whom funds
have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor or any Affiliate
thereof on the security of such property or asset.

               "Satellite Assets" means satellites, terrestrial repeating
stations, uplink facilities and telemetry, tracking, monitoring and control
equipment.

               "Secured Debt" means, as of any date, (i) the unpaid principal
of, and any accrued interest and premiums on, the Indebtedness then outstanding
under the Arianespace Agreement, Loral Satellite Purchase Contract and any
Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted by clause (q) of the definition of
Permitted Liens, and (ii) fees, expenses and charges (including, without
limitation, indemnification obligations) due or owing to any Secured Party
arising under this Agreement or any Collateral Document.

               "Secured Party" means Arianespace S.A., Loral Space Systems,
Inc., holders of Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted by clause (q) of the
definition of Permitted


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       25

Liens and the Trustee or any other obligee or indemnified party under any
Collateral Document.

               "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest
means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

               "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Note or
any installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Note as the
fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of interest
is due and payable, and, when used with respect to any other Indebtedness, means
the date specified in the instrument governing such Indebtedness as the fixed
date on which the principal of such Indebtedness, or any installment of interest
thereon, is due and payable.

               "Stock Offerings" means (i) the offering of 2,240,000 shares of
Common Stock in the United States and Canada and (ii) the offering of 560,000
shares of Common Stock outside the United States and Canada, both of which
offerings are registered under the Securities Act on a From S-3 Registration
Statement (No. 333-34767).

               "Strategic Equity Investor" means any company which is (or a
controlled Affiliate of any company which is or a controlled affiliate of which
is) engaged principally in the CD Radio Business or the satellite launch or
manufacturing, broadcasting, programming production, satellite broadcasting,
automotive manufacturing, automotive dealership, telecommunications or other
business reasonably related to the foregoing which has a Total Market
Capitalization of at least $1.0 billion.

               "Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.

               "Subsidiary" means any Person a majority of the equity ownership
or Voting Stock of which is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more
other Subsidiaries.

               "Total Consolidated Indebtedness" means, at any date of
determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of
the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of
determination.

               "Total Incremental Equity" means, at any date of determination,
the sum of, without duplication (i) the aggregate cash proceeds received by the
Company after the date of this Indenture from the issuance or sale of Qualified
Capital Stock of the Company (including Capital Stock issued upon the conversion
of convertible Indebtedness or from the exercise of options, warrants or rights
to purchase Qualified Capital Stock of the Company) to any Person other than a
Restricted Subsidiary; plus (ii) an amount equal to the sum of (1) the net


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                                       26

reduction in Investments in any Person (other than the Permitted Investments)
resulting from the payment in cash of dividends, repayments of loans or advances
or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture from such Person and (2) the portion
(proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair
market value of the net assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such
Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that in the case of (1) or (2) above the foregoing sum shall not exceed
the amount of Investments previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment)
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted
Subsidiary and that constitutes a Restricted Payment that has been deducted from
Total Incremental Equity pursuant to clause (iii) below, minus (iii) the
aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or after the
date of this Indenture and minus (iv) the aggregate amount paid pursuant to
clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi) of the second paragraph of Section 1012.

               "Total Market Capitalization" of any Person means, at the time of
determination, the sum of (a) the consolidated Indebtedness of such Person, plus
(b) the product of (i) the aggregate number of outstanding primary shares of
Common Stock of such person (which shall not include any options or warrants on,
or securities convertible or exchangeable into, shares of Common Stock of such
person) and (ii) the average Closing Price of such Common Stock over the
preceding 20 consecutive Trading Days, plus (c) the liquidation value of any
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of such Person. If no such Closing Price
exists with respect to shares of any such class, the value of such shares for
purposes of clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith and evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with
the Trustee.

               "Trading Day" with respect to a securities exchange or automated
quotation system means a day on which such exchange or system is open for a full
day of trading.

               "Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended.

               "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean such successor Trustee

               "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary that at the
time of determination shall be an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the
Board of Directors, as provided below) and (b) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that in no event shall any Person that is a
Restricted Subsidiary on the date of this Indenture become an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any newly acquired or newly
formed Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as (i) neither the
Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or indirectly liable for any


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                                       27

Indebtedness of such Subsidiary, (ii) no default with respect to any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or
otherwise) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment
thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity, (iii) neither
the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has a contract, agreement,
arrangement, understanding or obligation of any kind, whether written or oral,
with such Subsidiary other than those that might be obtained at the time from
persons who are not Affiliates of the Company and (iv) neither the Company nor
any Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation (1) to subscribe for additional
shares of Capital Stock or other equity interest in such Subsidiary or (2) to
maintain or preserve such Subsidiary's financial condition or to cause such
Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation
by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by
filing a board resolution with the Trustee giving effect to such designation.
The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted
Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such designation, there would
be no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and the Company could
incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness)
pursuant to Section 1011.

               "Vendor Credit Facility" means any credit facility (other than
the Arianespace Agreement and the Loral Satellite Purchase Contract) entered
into with any vendor or supplier (or any financial institution acting on behalf
of such a vendor or supplier); provided that the Indebtedness thereunder is
incurred solely for the purpose of financing the cost (including the cost of
design, development, construction, or integration) of CD Radio Assets.

               "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the
Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a
word or words added before or after the title "vice president".

               "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any class or
classes of Capital Stock pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general
voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the
board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether
or not, at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might
have, voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

               SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

               Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent,
if any, provided for in this Indenture (including any covenant compliance with
which constitutes a condition precedent)


<PAGE>

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                                       28

relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions
precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such
application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is
specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such
particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be
furnished.

               Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to
Section 1008(a)) shall include:

               (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
        opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
        relating thereto;

               (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
        examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
        contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

               (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he
        has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him
        to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
        condition has been complied with; and

               (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
        individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

               SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

               In any case where several matters are required to be certified
by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that
all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

               Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be
based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of,
or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       29

knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate
or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

               Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

               SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders.

               (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken
by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the
manner provided in this Section 104.

               (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

               (c) The principal amount at maturity and serial numbers of Notes
held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the
Note Register.

               (d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Notes any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section
316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to
such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days
prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and
not later than


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<PAGE>


                                       30

the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act
may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at
the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the
purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of
Outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for
that purpose the Outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date;
provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such
record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant
to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the
record date.

               (e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future
Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in
respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the
Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon
such Note.

               SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

               Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this
Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

                (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be
        sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or
        filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office,
        Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or

               (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be
        sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein
        expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage
        prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal
        office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, or at any
        other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the
        Company.

               SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.

               Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders
by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless
otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class
postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it
appears in the Note Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier
than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case
where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such
notice,


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<PAGE>


                                       31

nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect
the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed
to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have
been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such
notice. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may
be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such
notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.

               In case by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in
regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable
to mail notice of any event to Holders when such notice is required to be given
pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such
notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a
sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

               SECTION 107.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

               The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents
are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

               SECTION 108.  Successors and Assigns.

               All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company
shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

               SECTION 109.  Separability Clause.

               In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

               SECTION 110.  Benefits of Indenture.

               Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied,
shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any
Notes Registrar and their successors hereunder, and the Holders any benefit or
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.


<PAGE>

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                                       32

               SECTION 111.  Governing Law.

               This Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of
this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.

               SECTION 112.  Legal Holidays.

               In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Notes) payment
of principal (or premium, if any) or interest need not be made on such date, but
may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect
as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated
Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from
and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or
Maturity, as the case may be, to the next Business Day.

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                   NOTE FORMS

               SECTION 201. Form of Note and Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication.

               The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall
be in substantially the forms set forth in Exhibit A, with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks
of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be
required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may,
consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Notes, as
evidenced by their execution of the Notes. Any portion of the text of any Note
may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto
on the face of the Note.

               The definitive Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved
on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as
determined by the officers of the Company executing such Notes, as evidenced by
their execution of such Notes.


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                                       33

               SECTION 202.  Notes Issued in Global Form.

               (a) If so specified in the Company Order referred to in Section
303, the Notes may be issued in the form of one or more global Notes, registered
in the name of a securities depository (the "Depository") or its nominee,
representing all the Outstanding Notes.

               (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable,
Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Note in global form in
the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified
therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to
Section 303 or Section 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any
instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or
redelivery of a Note in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with
Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

               (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any Note in global form shall
be made to the Person or Persons specified therein. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the preceding sentence, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat
the Holder of any global Note as the owner of such Note for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on such
Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue,
and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

               (d) If at any time, (i) the Depository notifies the Company that
it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository or if at any time the
Depository shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange
Act or other applicable statute or regulation and a successor Depository is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice
or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or (ii) any Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing and Holders of more than 25% in
principal amount of the Notes Outstanding represented by one or more global
Notes advise the Trustee that the continuation of a book-entry system through
the Depository (or a successor thereto) with respect to the Notes is no longer
required, then in such event this Section 205 shall no longer be applicable to
the Notes and the Company will execute and the Trustee, upon Company Request,
will authenticate and deliver Notes in definitive registered form, in authorized
denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the global Note or Notes in exchange for such global Note whereupon
the global Note or Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Such Notes in
definitive registered form issued in exchange for the global Note or Notes
pursuant to this Section 205(d) shall be registered in such names and issued in
such authorized denominations as the Depository, pursuant to instructions from
its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall


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                                       34

instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Notes to the Persons in
whose names such Notes are so registered.

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                    THE NOTES

               SECTION 301.  Title and Terms.

               The aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is limited to $296,930,000,
which includes Notes issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, except for Notes
authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange
for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1010,
1016 or 1108.

               The Notes shall be known and designated as the "[ ]% Senior
Secured Discount Notes due 2007" of the Company. Their Stated Maturity shall be
[       ], 2007, and they shall bear interest at the rate of [ ]% per annum from
[       ], 2002 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest
has been paid or duly provided for, payable on [       ], 2002 and semi-annually
thereafter on [       ] and [      ] in each year and at said Stated Maturity,
until the principal thereof is paid or duly provided for. The principal of this
Note shall not accrue interest until [      ], 2002, except in the case of a
default in payment of the amount due at Maturity, in which case the amount due
on this Note shall bear interest at a rate of [ ]% per annum (to the extent that
the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue
from the date of such default to the date the payment of such amount has been
made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal amount shall be
payable on demand.

               The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes
shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such
purpose in The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of the
Company as may be maintained for such purpose; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company interest may be paid by check mailed to addresses of the
Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the Note Register.

               The Notes shall be redeemable as provided in Article Eleven.

               SECTION 302.  Denominations.

               The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without
coupons.


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<PAGE>


                                       35

               SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

               The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its
Chairman, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President, and
attested by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. The signature of any of
these officers on the Notes may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present
or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise
reproduced on the Notes.

               Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals
who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold
such offices at the date of such Notes.

               At any time and from time to time after the execution and
delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with
such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes.

               Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

               No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such
certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence,
that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

               In case the Company, pursuant to Article Eight, shall be
consolidated or merged with or into any other Person or shall convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such
consolidation, or surviving such merger, or into which the Company shall have
been merged, or the Person which shall have received a conveyance, transfer,
lease or other disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an indenture
supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article Eight, any of the Notes
authenticated or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition may, from time to time, at the request of
the successor Person, be exchanged for other Notes executed in the name of the
successor Person with such changes in phraseology and form as may be
appropriate, but otherwise in substance of like tenor as the Notes surrendered
for such exchange and of like principal amount at maturity; and the Trustee,
upon Company Request of the successor Person, shall authenticate and deliver
Notes as specified in such request for the purpose of such exchange. If Notes
shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       36

any new name of a successor Person pursuant to this Section 303 in exchange or
substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Notes, such successor
Person, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide
for the exchange of all Notes at the time Outstanding for Notes authenticated
and delivered in such new name.

               SECTION 304.  Temporary Notes.

               Pending the preparation of definitive Notes, the Company may
execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Notes which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or
otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor
of the definitive Notes in lieu of which they are issued and with such
appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the
officers executing such Notes may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their
execution of such Notes.

               If temporary Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive
Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of
definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes
upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company
designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002, without charge to the
Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a like principal amount at maturity of definitive Notes of authorized
denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Notes.

               SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

               The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office
of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any
other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 1002 being herein
sometimes referred to as the "Note Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Note Register shall be in
written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times, the Note Register shall be
open to inspection by the Trustee. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed as
note registrar (the "Note Registrar") for the purpose of registering Notes and
transfers of Notes as herein provided.

               Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the
office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 1002, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of
the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any
authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount at
maturity.


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<PAGE>


                                       37

               At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other
Notes of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount at
maturity, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency.
Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes which the Holder
making the exchange is entitled to receive.

               All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt,
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered
upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

               Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Note Registrar) be
duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Note Registrar, duly executed by the Holder
thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

               No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange or redemption of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1010, 1016 or 1108 not involving any
transfer.

               The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the selection of Notes to be redeemed under Section 1104
and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing of the relevant
notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note
so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any Note being redeemed in part.

               SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes.

               If (i) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or (ii)
the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Note, and there is delivered to the Company
and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the
Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company
shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
in exchange for any such mutilated Note or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost
or stolen Note, a new Note of like tenor and principal amount at maturity,
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       38

               In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.

               Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 306, the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

               Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section 306 in lieu of any
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and
shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

               The provisions of this Section 306 are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to
the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

               SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

               Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in
whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002;
provided, however, that each installment of interest may at the Company's option
be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written
order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308, to the address of
such Person as it appears in the Note Register or (ii) transfer to an account
located in the United States maintained by the payee.

               Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to
be payable to the Holder on the Regular Record Date by virtue of having been
such Holder, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on
such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Notes (such defaulted interest
and interest thereon herein collectively called "Defaulted Interest") may be
paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or
(2) below:

               (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
        Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective
        Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special
        Record Date for the payment of such


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       39

        Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The
        Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted
        Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed
        payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee
        an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in
        respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements
        satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the
        proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
        benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
        clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date
        for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than
        15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed
        payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of
        the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify
        the Company of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the
        expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of
        such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given
        to the Holders in the manner provided for in Section 106, not less than
        10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed
        payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor
        having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
        Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes)
        are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and
        shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

               (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any
        other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
        securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such
        notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by
        the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this
        clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the
        Trustee.

               Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each
Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in
exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

               SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners.

               Prior to the due presentment of a Note for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name such Note is registered as the owner of such
Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any)
and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on such Note and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue,


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       40

and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

               SECTION 309.  Cancellation.

               All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee,
be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company
may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for
delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Notes so delivered
shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any
of the Notes, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or
satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the
same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Notes shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in
this Section 309, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled
Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with
its customary procedures and certification of their disposal delivered to the
Company unless by Company Order the Company shall direct that cancelled Notes be
returned to it.

               SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest.

               Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

               SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

               This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further
effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto) and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       41

               (1)    either

                      (a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered
               (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
               and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306
               and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been
               deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or
               segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid
               to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in
               Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for
               cancellation; or

                       (b) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the
               Trustee for cancellation

                                (i) have become due and payable,

                                (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated
                        Maturity within one year, or

                                (iii) are to be called for redemption within one
                        year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
                        the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the
                        name, and at the expense, of the Company,

               and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
               irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee
               as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to
               pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not
               theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for
               Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to
               the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become
               due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as
               the case may be;

               (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums
        payable under this Indenture, the Notes and the Collateral Documents by
        the Company; and

               (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
        Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
        precedent provided in this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and
        discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

               Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money
shall have been deposited

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       42

with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (1) of this Section 401,
the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of
Section 1003 shall survive.

               SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money.

               Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003,
all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in
trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the Accreted Value of, premium,
if any, and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    REMEDIES

               SECTION 501.  Events of Default.

               "Event of Default", wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):

               (1) default in the payment of any interest on any Note when it
        becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
        30 days;

                (2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if
        any, on any Note at its Maturity;

               (3) default in the performance, or breach, of the provisions of
        Article Eight, the failure to make or consummate a Change of Control
        Offer in accordance with the provisions of Section 1010 or the failure
        to make or consummate an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with the
        provisions of Section 1016;

               (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
        agreement of the Company in this Indenture (other than a default in the
        performance, or breach, of a covenant or warranty which is specifically
        dealt with elsewhere in this Indenture), and continuance of such default
        or breach for a period of 30 days after there has been given, by
        registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       43

        Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal
        amount at maturity of the Outstanding Notes a written notice specifying
        such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that
        such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder;

               (5) any provision of the Collateral Documents shall cease, for
        any reason, to be in full force and effect in any material respect, or
        the Company shall so assert in writing; or the Trustee shall cease to
        have a first priority perfected security interest, for the benefit of
        the Trustee and the Holders, in the Collateral (other than by reason of
        the release of any such security interest in accordance with the
        Collateral Documents), or any representation, warranty or certification
        of the Company made in or pursuant to the Collateral Documents shall be
        false in any material respect as of the date when made;

               (6) (A) there shall have occurred one or more defaults in the
        payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on Indebtedness of the
        Company or any Subsidiary aggregating $5.0 million or more, when the
        same becomes due and payable at the Stated Maturity thereof, and such
        default or defaults shall have continued after any applicable grace
        period and shall not have been cured or waived or (B) Indebtedness of
        the Company or any Subsidiary aggregating $5.0 million or more shall
        have been accelerated or otherwise declared due and payable, or required
        to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by regularly scheduled required
        prepayment), prior to the Stated Maturity thereof;

               (7) one or more final judgments, orders, or decrees of any court
        or regulatory agency shall be rendered against the Company or any
        Subsidiary or their respective properties which require the payment in
        money, either individually or in an aggregate amount, that is more than
        $5.0 million and either (A) an enforcement proceeding shall have been
        commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (B) there shall
        have been a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of
        enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of pending appeal or
        otherwise, was not in effect;

               (8) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction
        in the premises adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary a bankrupt or
        insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
        reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect
        of the Company or any Subsidiary under any Bankruptcy Law or any other
        applicable federal or state law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator,
        assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the
        Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or
        ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the
        continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a
        period of 90 consecutive days; or


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       44

               (9) the institution by the Company or any Subsidiary of
        proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by
        it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against
        it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking
        reorganization or relief under any Bankruptcy Law or any other
        applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of
        any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,
        assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the
        Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or
        the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
        admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally
        as they become due.

               SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

               If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified
in Section 501(8) or (9)) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case
the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount at maturity
of the Outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if
such notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee upon the written
request of such Holders shall, declare the Accreted Value of, premium, if any,
and accrued interest on all of the Outstanding Notes immediately due and
payable, and upon any such declaration all such amounts payable in respect of
the Notes shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default
specified in Section 501(8) or (9) occurs and is continuing, then the Accreted
Value of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all of the Outstanding Notes
shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

               At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made and
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by
the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article Five, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount at maturity of the Outstanding Notes, by written
notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration
and its consequences if

                (a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
        sufficient to pay,

                      (i)  all overdue interest on all Outstanding Notes,

                      (ii) all unpaid Accreted Value of and premium, if any, on
               any Outstanding Notes that have become due otherwise than by such
               declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate
               borne by the Notes,


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       45

                      (iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is
               lawful, interest on overdue interest and overdue principal at the
               rate borne by the Notes, and

                      (iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this
               Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses,
               disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and
               counsel; and

               (b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of amounts
        of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes that have
        become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured
        or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

               Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of a
declaration of acceleration in respect of the Notes because of an Event of
Default specified in Section 501(5) shall have occurred and be continuing, such
declaration of acceleration shall be automatically annulled if the Indebtedness
that is the subject of such Event of Default has been discharged or the Holders
thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such
Indebtedness, and written notice of such discharge or rescission, as the case
may be, shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company and countersigned by
the holders of such Indebtedness or a trustee, fiduciary or agent for such
holders, within 30 days after such declaration of acceleration in respect of the
Notes, and no other Event of Default has occurred during such 30-day period
which has not been cured or waived during such period.

               SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement
by Trustee.

               The Company covenants that if

               (a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest
        on any Note when such interest becomes due and payable and such default
        continues for a period of 30 days, or

                (b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or
        premium, if any, on) any Note at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee for the benefit
of the Holders of such Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Notes for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, and interest on any
overdue principal (and premium, if


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       46

any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable, upon any overdue installment of interest, at the rate borne by the
Notes, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to
cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel.

               If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, may
institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may
enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes and
collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by
law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes,
wherever situated.

               If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may
in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of
the Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem
most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

               SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

               In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency,
liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or
other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the
Notes or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall
then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company
for the payment of overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be
entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

               (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal
        (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the
        Notes and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or
        advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any
        claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
        advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders
        allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

                (ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable
        or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       47

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee
shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay the
Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 606.

               Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or
the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect
of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

               SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of
Notes.

               All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and
as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes in respect of which such judgment
has been recovered.

               SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.

               Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five
shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the
Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal
(or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Notes and the
notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:

               FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 606;

               SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
        principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes in respect
        of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected,
        ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
        amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal (and premium, if
        any) and interest, respectively; and

               THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled
thereto.


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<PAGE>


                                       48

               SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.

               No Holder of any Notes shall have any right to institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

                (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the
        Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

               (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount at
        maturity of the Outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the
        Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in
        its own name as Trustee hereunder;

               (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
        indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
        compliance with such request;

               (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
        request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such
        proceeding; and

               (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
        given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
        majority or more in principal amount at maturity of the Outstanding
        Notes;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders
or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.

               SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest.

               Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder
of any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment, as provided herein (including, if applicable, Article Thirteen)
and in such Note of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to
Section 307) interest on such Note on the respective Stated Maturities expressed
in such Note (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall
not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       49

               SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

               If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to
enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall
be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and
thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue
as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

               SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

               Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in the last paragraph of
Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee
or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and
in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

               SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

               No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note
to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or
an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by
law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as
often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case
may be.

               SECTION 512.  Control by Holders.

               The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount at
maturity of the Outstanding Notes shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, provided
that

                (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law
        or with this Indenture,

                (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
        Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       50

               (3) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it
        in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not
        consenting.

               SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.

               The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount at
maturity of the Outstanding Notes may, on behalf of the Holders of all the
Notes, waive any past defaults under this Indenture and their consequences,
except a default

                (1) in respect of the payment of the principal of (or premium,
        if any) or interest on any Note, or

               (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
        Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
        Holder of each Outstanding Note affected.

               Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any
Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

               SECTION 514.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

               The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever
claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                                   THE TRUSTEE

               SECTION 601.  Notice of Defaults.

               Within 30 days after the Trustee receives notice of the
occurrence of any Default or an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee shall
transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice
of such Default hereunder known to the


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                                       51

Trustee, unless such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or
waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment
of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders; and provided
further that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section
501(4) no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the
occurrence thereof.

               SECTION 602.  Certain Rights of Trustee.

               Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d):

               (1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
        refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
        instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
        bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
        document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
        presented by the proper party or parties;

               (2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
        shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order
        and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently
        evidenced by a Board Resolution;

               (3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
        shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
        taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
        other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
        bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

               (4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice
        of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
        authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
        omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

               (5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
        the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
        direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such
        Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity against
        the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in
        compliance with such request or direction reasonably satisfactory to the
        Trustee;


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                                       52

               (6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
        the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
        instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
        bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
        document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
        inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit,
        and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
        investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and
        premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

               (7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
        or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents
        or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct
        or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due
        care by it hereunder;

               (8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken,
        suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be
        authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon
        it by this Indenture; and

                (9) the permissive right of the Trustee to act hereunder will
        not be construed as a duty.

               The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds
or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its
duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall
have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate
indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

               SECTION 603. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
Notes.

               The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except for the
Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.
The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Indenture or of the Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Notes and
perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and
accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not
be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Notes or the
proceeds thereof.


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                                       53

               SECTION 604.  May Hold Notes.

               The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Note Registrar or any other
agent of the Company or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity,
may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and
311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if
it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Note Registrar or such other agent.

               SECTION 605.  Money Held in Trust.

               Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder
except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

               SECTION 606.  Compensation and Reimbursement.

               The Company agrees:

               (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
        compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which
        compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to
        the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

               (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse
        the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements
        and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any
        provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and
        the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any
        such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its
        gross negligence or bad faith; and

               (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
        against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross
        negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection
        with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs
        and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in
        connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
        duties hereunder.

               The obligations of the Company under this Section 606 to
compensate the Trustee, to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances and to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee shall
constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture. As security for the performance of such
obligations of the Company, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the


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                                       54

Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such,
except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest on particular Notes.

               When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(7) or (8), the
expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) of and
the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

               The provisions of this Section 606 shall survive the termination
of this Indenture.

               SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting
Interests.

               There shall be at all times a Trustee hereunder which shall be
eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of Federal, State, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section 607, the combined capital and
surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 607, it shall resign immediately in the manner and
with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.

               SECTION 608.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

               (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment
of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article Six shall become effective until
the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 609.

               (b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee
required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30
days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee.

               (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount at maturity of the Outstanding
Notes, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.


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                                       55

               (d) If at any time:

               (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA
        Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any
        Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six
        months, or

               (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and
        shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
        any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six
        months, or

               (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
        adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
        property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
        control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
        rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove the
Trustee, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder who has been a bona
fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

               (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable
of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause,
the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount at maturity of the Outstanding Notes
delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so
appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the
successor Trustee and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the
Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder
who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

               (f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to the
Holders of Notes in the manner provided for in Section 106. Each notice shall
include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust
Office.


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                                       56

               SECTION 609.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

               Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. Upon request of any such successor
Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and
certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights,
powers and trusts.

               No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the
time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible
under this Article Six.

               SECTION 610.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business.

               Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted
or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or
any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on
the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Notes shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect
as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes. In case at
that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor
Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor
hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee. In all such cases such
certificates shall have the full force and effect which this Indenture provides
for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall have; provided,
however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any
predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor
Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or
consolidation.


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                                       57

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

                HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

               SECTION 701.  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

               Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company or the Trustee or any
agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of
any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance
with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was
derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing
any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

               SECTION 702.  Reports by Trustee.

               Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the
first May 15 after the first issuance of Notes, the Trustee shall transmit to
the Holders, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), a
brief report dated as of such May 15 if required by TIA Section 313(a).

               SECTION 703.  Reports by Company.

               The Company shall:

               (1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is
        required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual
        reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies
        of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time
        to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be
        required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section
        15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file
        information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections,
        then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance
        with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
        Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information,
        documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of
        the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a
        national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in
        such rules and regulations;

               (2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with
        rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission,
        such additional information, documents and reports with respect to
        compliance by the Company with


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                                       58

        the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from
        time to time by such rules and regulations; and

               (3) transmit by mail to all Holders, in the manner and to the
        extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), within 30 days after the filing
        thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents
        and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs
        (1) and (2) of this Section 703 as may be required by rules and
        regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT

              CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

               SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms.

               The Company will not in a single transaction or a series of
related transactions consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or
sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety to any Person or
Persons, and the Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to enter into
any such transaction, or series of transactions, if such transaction or series
of transactions, in the aggregate, would result in the sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis to any Person or Persons, unless:

               (i) either

                      (a) the Company shall be the surviving corporation or

                      (b) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such
               consolidation or into which the Company or the Company and its
               Restricted Subsidiaries is merged or the Person which acquires by
               sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, all or
               substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company or
               the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be,
               (the "Surviving Entity")

                             (1) shall be a corporation organized and validly
                      existing under the laws of the United States of America,
                      any state thereof or the District of Columbia and


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                                       59

                             (2) shall expressly assume, by an indenture
                      supplemental to this Indenture executed and delivered to
                      the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the
                      Company's obligations for the due and punctual payment of
                      the principal of (or premium, if any, on) and interest on
                      all the Notes and the performance and observance of every
                      covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to
                      be performed or observed;

               (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or
        series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any obligation
        of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a
        result of such transaction as having been incurred of the time of such
        transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
        continuing;

               (iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or
        series of transactions on a pro forma basis (on the assumption that the
        transaction or series of transactions occurred on the first day of the
        latest four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial statements
        of the Company are available prior to the consummation of such
        transaction or series of transactions with the appropriate adjustments
        with respect to the transaction or series of transactions, including the
        incurrence and repayment of any Indebtedness incident to such
        transaction, being included in such pro forma calculation), the Company
        (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the continuing obligor
        under this Indenture) could incur at least $1.00 of additional
        Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) under the proviso to
        Section 1011;

               (iv) if any of the property or assets of the Company or any of
        its Restricted Subsidiaries would thereupon become subject to any Lien,
        the provisions of Section 1015 are complied with; and

               (v) the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to
        the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each
        stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance,
        transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture
        comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein
        provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

               SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted.

               Upon any consolidation of the Company with or merger of the
Company with or into any other corporation or any conveyance, transfer or lease
of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety to any
Person in accordance with Section 801,


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                                       60

the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is
merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to,
and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company
under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been
named as the Company herein, and in the event of any such conveyance or
transfer, the Company (which term shall for this purpose mean the Person named
as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor
Person which shall theretofore become such in the manner described in Section
801), except in the case of a lease, shall be discharged of all obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Notes and may be dissolved and
liquidated.

               SECTION 803.  Notes to Be Secured in Certain Events.

               If, upon any such consolidation of the Company with or merger of
the Company into any other corporation, or upon any conveyance, lease or
transfer of the property of the Company substantially as an entirety to any
other Person, any property or assets of the Company would thereupon become
subject to any Lien, then unless such Lien could be created pursuant to Section
1015 without equally and ratably securing the Notes, the Company, prior to or
simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, conveyance, lease or transfer,
will as to such property or assets, secure the Notes Outstanding (together with,
if the Company shall so determine any other Indebtedness of the Company now
existing or hereinafter created which is not subordinate in right of payment to
the Notes) equally and ratably with (or prior to) the Indebtedness which upon
such consolidation, merger, conveyance, lease or transfer is to become secured
as to such property or assets by such Lien, or will cause such Notes to be so
secured; provided that, for the purpose of providing such equal and ratable
security, the principal amount of the Notes shall mean that amount which would
at the time of making such effective provision be due and payable pursuant to
Section 502 upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and the
extent of such equal and ratable security shall be adjusted, to the extent
permitted by law, as and when said amount changes over time as provided in
Section 502.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

               SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

               Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized
by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may
enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to
the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:


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                                       61

               (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company
        and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company
        contained herein or such obligor in this Indenture and in the Notes in
        accordance with Section 801;

               (2) to add to the covenants of the Company or any obligor upon
        the Notes for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or
        power herein conferred upon the Company or any other obligor upon the
        Notes for the benefit of the Holders, as applicable, in this Indenture
        or in the Notes;

               (3) to add any additional Events of Default;

               (4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
        hereunder by a successor Trustee pursuant to the requirements of Section
        609;

               (5) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
        herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
        make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
        under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely
        affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect;

               (6) to secure the Notes pursuant to the requirements of Section
        803 or otherwise;

               (7) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to
        effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
        Indenture Act;

               (8) to add a guarantor of the securities under this Indenture;

               (9) to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest
        in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as additional
        security for the payment and performance of the Company's obligations
        under this Indenture, in any property, or assets, including any of which
        are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a
        security interest is required to be granted to the Trustee pursuant to
        this Indenture or otherwise; or

               (10) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the
        Trustee or the Custodian Agent as security for the Notes and the other
        Secured Debt any property or assets.

               The Trustee is hereby authorized to join in the execution of any
such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and
stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance,
transfer, assignment, mortgage or


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                                       62

pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to
enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own
rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

               SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

               With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount at maturity of the Outstanding Notes, by Act of said Holders
delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a
Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in
any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of
modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture;
provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby:

               (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any
        installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the Accreted Value
        thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest thereon or any
        premium payable upon the redemption thereof or reduce the amount of the
        principal of the Notes that would be due and payable upon a declaration
        of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the
        amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or change
        the coin or currency in which any Note or any premium or the interest
        thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the
        enforcement of any such payment after the Stated Maturity thereof (or,
        in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);

               (ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount at maturity of the
        Outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
        supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for
        any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or
        certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this
        Indenture;

               (iii) modify any of the provisions of this Article Nine, Article
        Five or Sections 1018, except to increase any such percentage of
        outstanding Notes required for such actions or to provide that certain
        other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without
        the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby;

               (iv) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to
        make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change
        of Control or an Excess Proceeds Offer in connection with any Asset Sale
        or modify any of the provisions or definitions with respect thereto; or


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                                       63

               (v) make any change in any of the provisions relating to the
        Collateral Documents not authorized by Article Twelve that materially
        adversely affects the Holders.

               It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this
Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance
thereof.

               SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

               In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications
thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled
to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel
stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or
permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to,
enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustees own
rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

               SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

               Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this
Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such
supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and
every Holder of Notes theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall be bound thereby.

               SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

               Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article
Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in
effect.

               SECTION 906.  Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures.

               Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
Outstanding Notes.


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                                       64

               SECTION 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

               Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 902, the
Company shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Note
affected, in the manner provided for in Section 106, setting forth in general
terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.

                                   ARTICLE TEN

                                    COVENANTS

               SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if Any, and
Interest.

               The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders
that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Notes and this
Indenture.

               SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

               The Company will maintain in The City of New York, an office or
agency where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may
be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served. The Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be such office or agency
of the Company, unless the Company shall designate and maintain some other
office or agency for one or more of such purposes. The Company will give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such office
or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required
office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof,
such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the
Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands.

               The Company may also from time to time designate one or more
other offices or agencies (in or outside of The City of New York) where the
Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from
time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain an office or agency in The City of New York for such
purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such
designation or rescission and any change in the location of any such other
office or agency.


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                                       65

               SECTION 1003.  Money for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust.

               If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it
will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any of the Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such
Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the
Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

               Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the
Notes, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on any Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to
pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to
be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal,
premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company
will promptly notify the Trustee of such action or any failure so to act.

               The Company will cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee)
to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003,
that such Paying Agent will:

               (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of
        (and premium, if any) or interest on Notes in trust for the benefit of
        the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such
        Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

               (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any
        other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any payment of principal
        (and premium, if any) or interest; and

               (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon
        the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all
        sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

               The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee,
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such sums.


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                                       66

               Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the
Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged
from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured
general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all
liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money,
and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease;
provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required
to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be
published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily
published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and
that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from
the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.

               SECTION 1004.  Corporate Existence.

               Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the corporate
existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and each
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine
that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

               SECTION 1005.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

               The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments
and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or
upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary and (b)
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by
law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to
be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount,
applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings.

               SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.

               The Company will cause all properties owned by the Company or any
Subsidiary or used or held for use in the conduct of its business or the
business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair
and working order and


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                                       67

supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary
repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in
the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1006 shall prevent the Company
from discontinuing the maintenance of any of such properties if such
discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of
its business or the business of any Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any
material respect to the Holders.

               SECTION 1007.  Insurance.

               (a) The Company will maintain launch insurance covering the
period from the launch to 180 days following the launch of such satellite in an
amount equal to or greater than the sum of (i) the cost to replace such
satellite with a satellite of comparable or superior technological capability
(as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and having at least as much
transmission capacity as the satellite to be replaced, (ii) the cost to launch a
replacement satellite pursuant to the contract whereby a replacement satellite
will be launched and (iii) the cost of launch insurance for such replacement or,
in the event that the Company has reason to believe that the cost of obtaining
comparable insurance for a replacement would be materially higher, the Company's
best estimate of the cost of such comparable insurance. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to maintain insurance pursuant to
this paragraph (a) with respect to (i) the launch of its first satellite and
(ii) any subsequent launch not preceded by a launch failure or failure of any
satellite within 180 days from the date of its launch; provided that the
Company's spare satellite shall be under construction in accordance with the
terms of the Loral Satellite Contract or the Company shall have otherwise
obtained a spare satellite.

               (b) The Company will maintain full in-orbit insurance with
respect to each satellite it owns and launches in an amount at least equal to
(i) the cost to replace such satellite with a satellite of comparable or
superior technological capability (as determined by the Board of Directors,
whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and
having at least as much transmission capacity as such owned satellites, (ii) the
cost to replace each such satellite pursuant to the contract pursuant to which a
replacement satellite will be constructed and (iii) the cost of launch insurance
for such replacement or, in the event that the Company has reason to believe
that the cost of obtaining comparable insurance for a replacement would be
materially higher, the Company's best estimate of the cost of such comparable
insurance. The in-orbit insurance required by this paragraph will provide that
if 50% or more of a satellite's capacity is lost, the full amount of insurance
will become due and payable, and that if a satellite is able to maintain more
than 50% but less that 100% of its capacity, a portion of such insurance will
become due and payable.


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                                       68

               (c) In the event that the Company receives proceeds from
insurance relating to any satellite, the Company may use all or a portion of
such proceeds to repay any vendor or third-party purchase money financing
pertaining to such satellite that is required to be repaid by reason of the loss
giving rise to such insurance proceeds. The Company shall use the remainder of
such proceeds to develop and construct a replacement satellite; provided that
(i) such replacement satellite is of comparable or superior technological
capability as compared with the satellite being replaced and has at least as
much transmission capacity as the satellite being replaced (as determined by the
Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a
Board Resolution); (ii) the Company will have sufficient funds (together with
the proceeds of any business interruption insurance) to service the Company's
projected debt service requirements until the scheduled launch of the Company's
spare satellite and for one year thereafter and to develop and construct such
replacement satellite; and (iii) that the Company's spare satellite is scheduled
to be launched within 12 months of the receipt of such proceeds. Any such
proceeds not used as permitted by this paragraph shall constitute "Excess
Proceeds" for purposes of Section 1016.

               SECTION 1008.  Statement by Officers as to Default.

               (a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 60 days after
the end of each fiscal quarter (90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter
of each fiscal year), a brief certificate from the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her
knowledge of the Company's compliance with all conditions and covenants under
this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 1008(a), such compliance shall be
determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under
this Indenture.

               (b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this
Indenture, or if the trustee for or the holder of any other evidence of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any
other action with respect to a claimed default (other than with respect to
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of less than $1,000,000), the
Company shall deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by
telegram, telex or facsimile transmission an Officers' Certificate specifying
such event, notice or other action within five Business Days of its occurrence.

               SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Statements.

               (a) The Company will file on a timely basis with the Commission,
to the extent such filings are accepted by the Commission and whether or not the
Company has a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, the annual
reports, quarterly reports and other documents that the Company would be
required to file if it were subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act.


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                                       69

               (b) The Company will also (i) file with the Trustee, and provide
to each holder of Notes, without cost to such holder, copies of such reports and
documents within 15 days after the date on which the Company files such reports
and documents with the Commission or the date on which the Company would be
required to file such reports and documents if the Company were so required and
(ii) if filing such reports and documents with the Commission is not accepted by
the Commission or is prohibited under the Exchange Act, to supply at the
Company's cost copies of such reports and documents to any prospective holder of
Notes promptly upon written request.

               SECTION 1010.  Purchase of Notes upon Change in Control.

               (a) If a Change of Control shall occur at any time, then each
Holder shall have the right to require that the Company purchase such Holder's
Notes in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount at
maturity, at a purchase price (the "Change of Control Purchase Price") in cash
in an amount equal to 101% of the Accreted Value of such Notes as of the date of
purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the
"Change of Control Purchase Date"), pursuant to the offer described below (the
"Change of Control Offer"), in accordance with the procedures set forth in
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 1010.

               (b) Within 15 days following any Change of Control, the Company
shall notify the Trustee thereof and give to each Holder of the Notes in the
manner provided in Section 106 a notice stating:

               (1) that a Change in Control has occurred and that such Holder
        has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder's Notes
        at the Change of Control Purchase Price;

               (2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change in
        Control (including but not limited to information with respect to pro
        forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization after giving
        effect to such Change in Control);

               (3) the Change of Control Purchase Price and the Change of
        Control Purchase Date which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30
        days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or such
        later date as is necessary to comply with requirements under the
        Exchange Act or any applicable securities laws or regulations;

               (4) that any Notes not tendered will continue to accrue interest
        and original issue discount;


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                                       70

               (5) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the
        Change of Control Purchase Price, any Notes accepted for payment
        pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest
        and original issue discount after the Change of Control Purchase Date;
        and

               (6) the instructions a Holder must follow in order to have its
        Notes repurchased in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section 1010.

               The Company shall have no obligation to purchase any Notes in a
Change of Control Offer if no Notes are tendered by the Holders thereof.

               (c) Holders electing to have Notes purchased will be required to
surrender such Notes to the Company at the address specified in the notice at
least five Business Days prior to the Change of Control Purchase Date. Holders
will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company receives, not later
than three Business Days prior to the Change of Control Purchase Date, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
Holder, the principal amount at maturity of the Notes delivered for purchase by
the Holder as to which his election is to be withdrawn and a statement that such
Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Notes purchased. Holders whose
Notes are purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal
amount at maturity to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.

               SECTION 1011.  Limitation on Indebtedness.

               The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, create, assume, issue, guarantee or in any manner become directly
or indirectly liable for or with respect to the payment of, or otherwise incur
(collectively, to "incur"), any Indebtedness, except for Permitted Indebtedness;
provided that (i) the Company will be permitted to incur Indebtedness and (ii) a
Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to incur Acquired Indebtedness, if, in
either case, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence (including the
application of the net proceeds therefrom), the ratio of (x) Total Consolidated
Indebtedness to (y) Adjusted Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for the latest
four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial statements of the Company
are available preceding the date of such incurrence, taken as a whole, would be
greater than zero and less than or equal to 4.0 to 1.0.

               SECTION 1012.  Limitation on Restricted Payments.

               The Company will not make, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to make, directly or indirectly, any of the following: (i) the
declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Capital
Stock of the Company or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in
their capacities as such) of Capital Stock of the Company


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                                       71

(other than dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Capital Stock
of the Company or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase Qualified
Capital Stock of the Company); (ii) the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company (other
than any such Capital Stock owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or
any affiliate of the Company (other than any Restricted Subsidiary); (iii) the
making of any principal payment on, or the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or
other acquisition or retirement for value of, prior to any scheduled principal
payment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Pari Passu Indebtedness or
Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness held by a
Restricted Subsidiary); or (iv) the making of any Investment (other than a
Permitted Investment) in any Person (such payments or other actions described in
(but not excluded from) clauses (i) through (iv) are collectively referred to as
"Restricted Payments"), unless, in each case:

               (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
        continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Restricted
        Payment;

               (B) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment,
        the Company would be able to incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness (other
        than Permitted Indebtedness) under the proviso of Section 1011; and

               (C) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment,
        the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or
        after the date of this Indenture would not exceed an amount equal to the
        sum of (a) the difference between (x) the Cumulative Available Cash Flow
        determined at the time of such Restricted Payment and (y) 150% of the
        cumulative Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company determined for
        the period commencing on the date of this Indenture and ending on the
        last day of the latest fiscal quarter for which consolidated financial
        statements of the Company are available preceding the date of such
        Restricted Payment plus (b) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by
        the Company from the issue or sale (other than to any Restricted
        Subsidiary) of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company after January 1,
        1998, plus (c) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received after the date
        of this Indenture by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than
        to any Restricted Subsidiary) of debt securities or Redeemable Capital
        Stock that have been converted into or exchanged for Qualified Capital
        Stock of the Company, together with the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds
        received by the Company at the time of such conversion or exchange, plus
        (d) to the extent not otherwise included in the Consolidated Operating
        Cash Flow of the Company, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the net
        reduction in Investments in any Person (other than the Permitted
        Investments) resulting from the payment in cash of dividends, repayments
        of loans or advances or other transfers of assets, in each case to the
        Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture
        from such Person and (2) the portion (proportionate to the Company's
        equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market


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                                       72

        value of the net assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such
        Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
        however, that in the case of (1) or (2) above the foregoing sum shall
        not exceed the aggregate amount of Investments previously made (and
        treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted
        Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, minus (e) the sum
        of 80% of the outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred
        pursuant to clause (i)(x) or (i)(y)(1) of the definition of Permitted
        Indebtedness and 100% of the outstanding principal amount of all
        Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (i)(y)(2) of the definition of
        Permitted Indebtedness.

For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted Payments,
property other than cash shall be valued at its Fair Market Value.

               The provisions of this covenant shall not prohibit, so long as,
with respect to clauses (ii) through (ix) below, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) the payment of any dividend or other
distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such
date of declaration such payment complied with the provisions of this Indenture,
and such payment will be deemed to have been paid on the date of declaration for
purposes of the calculation in the foregoing paragraph; (ii) the purchase,
redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any shares of Capital Stock of
the Company in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially
concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, shares of
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company; (iii) the purchase, redemption,
retirement, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of
Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds
of a substantially concurrent issue or sale (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary) of, Qualified Capital Stock of the Company; (iv) (A) the purchase of
any Subordinated Indebtedness at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the
principal amount or accreted value thereof, as the case may be, together with
accrued interest, if any, in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with
provisions similar to Section 1010 or (B) the purchase of any Preferred Stock at
a purchase price not greater than 101% of the liquidation preference thereof,
together with accrued dividends, if any, in the event of a Change of Control in
accordance with provisions similar to Section 1010; provided that, in each case,
prior to such purchase the Company has made the Change of Control Offer as
provided in such covenant with respect to the Notes and has purchased all Notes
validly tendered for payment in connection with such Change of Control Offer;
(v) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for
value of Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash
Proceeds of a substantially concurrent incurrence (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary) of, new Subordinated Indebtedness so long as (A) the principal
amount of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or, if
such Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced provides for an amount less than
the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration thereof, such lesser amount as of the date of determination) of the
Subordinated Indebtedness being so purchased, redeemed,


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                                       73

defeased, acquired or retired, plus the lesser of the amount of any premium
required to be paid in connection with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of
the Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced or the amount of any premium
reasonably determined by the Company as necessary to accomplish such
refinancing, plus, in either case, the amount of expenses of the Company
incurred in connection with such refinancing, (B) such new Subordinated
Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes to the same extent as such
Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, redeemed, defeased, acquired or retired
and (C) such new Subordinated Indebtedness has an Average Life longer than the
Average Life of the Notes and a final Stated Maturity of principal later than
the Stated Maturity of principal of the Notes (vi) the purchase of any
Subordinated Indebtedness at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the
principal amount or accreted value thereof, as the case may be, together with
accrued interest, if any, following an Asset Sale in accordance with provisions
similar to Section 1016, provided that prior to making any such purchase the
Company has made the Excess Proceeds Offer as provided in such covenant with
respect to the Notes and has purchased all Notes validly tendered for payment in
connection with such Excess Proceeds Offer; (vii) the optional redemption or
retirement of any Pari Passu Indebtedness if a pro rata principal amount at
maturity of Notes is redeemed or retired by the Company at the same time; (viii)
the payment of cash dividends on outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock
of the Company out of the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue
and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Common Stock of the Company;
and (ix) any other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$15.0 million.

               In determining the amount of Restricted Payments permissible
under this covenant, amounts expended pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii),
(iv), (vi) (vii), (viii) and (ix) above shall be included as Restricted
Payments.

               SECTION 1013. Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock
of Restricted Subsidiaries.

               The Company (a) will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to
issue any Capital Stock (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary)
and (b) will not permit any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary) to own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that this covenant shall not prohibit (i) the issuance and sale of all,
but not less than all, of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
compliance with the other provisions of this Indenture or (ii) the ownership by
directors of directors' qualifying shares or the ownership by foreign nationals
of Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent mandated by
applicable law.


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                                       74

               SECTION 1014.  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.

               The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or services) with, or
for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary) unless (i) such transaction or series of related
transactions is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a
Board Resolution, than those that could have been obtained in an arm's-length
transaction with unrelated third parties who are not Affiliates, (ii) with
respect to any transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate
consideration equal to or greater than $2,500,000, the Company shall have
delivered an officers' certificate to the Trustee certifying that such
transaction or series of related transactions complies with clause (i) above and
such transaction or series of related transactions has been approved by a
majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the
Company, or the Company has obtained a written opinion from a nationally
recognized investment banking firm to the effect that such transaction or series
of related transactions is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as
the case may be, from a financial point of view and (iii) with respect to any
transaction or series of related transactions including aggregate consideration
in excess of $10,000,000, or in the event no members of the Board of Directors
of the Company are Disinterested Directors with respect to any transaction or
series of transactions included in clause (ii), the Company shall obtain an
opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking firm as described above;
provided, however, that this provision will not restrict (1) any transaction by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate directly related to
the purchase, sale or distribution of products in the ordinary course of
business consistent with industry practice, (2) the Company from paying
reasonable and customary regular compensation and fees to directors of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary who are not employees of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (3) the payment of compensation (including stock options
and other incentive compensation) to officers and other employees the terms of
which are approved by the Board of Directors, (4) the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary from making any Restricted Payment in compliance with Section 1012
(including pursuant to the second paragraph thereof), (5) transactions between
the Company and Batchelder & Partners Inc. pursuant to agreements in effect on
the date of this Indenture and listed on a schedule to this Indenture; provided
that the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to
amend, modify or in any way alter, other than an extension of the termination
thereof, the terms of any such agreement in a manner materially adverse to the
holders of the Notes, (6) transactions among the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (7) the payment of fees to Robertson, Stephens & Company,
Incorporated for investment banking services rendered to the Company or (8)
amendments to the Loral Satellite Purchase Contract;


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                                       75

provided that the Company will not amend, modify or in any way alter the terms
of such agreement in a manner materially adverse to the holders of the Notes.

               SECTION 1015.  Limitation on Liens.

               The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien of any kind, other than Permitted Liens, on or with respect to any of
its property or assets, including any shares of stock or indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of this Indenture or thereafter
acquired, or any income, profits or proceeds therefrom, or assign or otherwise
convey any right to receive income thereon, unless (x) in the case of any Lien
securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes are secured by a Lien on such
property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Lien and (y) in
the case of any other Lien, the Notes are equally and ratably secured; provided
that in no event may the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary grant any Lien
(other than Permitted Liens) on the Bond Collateral.

               SECTION 1016.  Limitation on Sale of Assets.

               (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, engage in any Asset Sale unless (i) the
consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for such
Asset Sale is not less than the Fair Market Value of the shares or assets sold
(as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and (ii) the consideration
received by the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such
Asset Sale consists of at least 80% cash or Cash Equivalents.

               (b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an
Asset Sale, the Company may use the Net Cash Proceeds thereof within 12 months
after the later of such Asset Sale or the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (i)
to permanently repay or prepay any then outstanding Pari Passu Indebtedness,
(ii) to invest in any one or more businesses, capital expenditures or other
tangible assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case,
engaged, used or useful in the CD Radio Business (or enter into a legally
binding agreement to do so within 6 months); or (iii) to invest in properties or
assets that replace the properties and assets that are the subject to such Asset
Sale (or enter into a legally binding agreement to do so within 6 months). If
any such legally binding agreement to invest such Net Cash Proceeds is
terminated, then the Company may, within 90 days of such termination or within
12 months of such Asset Sale, whichever is later, apply or invest such Net Cash
Proceeds as provided in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) (without regard to the
parenthetical contained in clause (i) or (ii)) above. The amount of such Net
Cash Proceeds not so used as set forth above in this paragraph (b) constitutes
"Excess Proceeds".


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                                       76

               (c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds
$10,000,000 the Company shall, within 30 business days, make an offer to
purchase (an "Excess Proceeds Offer") from all holders of Notes, on a pro rata
basis, in accordance with the procedures set forth below, the maximum Accreted
Value as of the date of purchase (expressed as a multiple of $1,000) of Notes
that may be purchased with the Excess Proceeds. The offer price as to each Note
shall be payable in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of
such Note as of the date of purchase plus accrued interest, if any (the "Offered
Price"), to the date such Excess Proceeds Offer is consummated (the "Offer
Date"). To the extent that the aggregate Accreted Value of Notes tendered
pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds relating
thereto, the Company may use such additional Excess Proceeds for general
corporate purposes or to fund an offer to redeem any outstanding Subordinated
Indebtedness or Pari Passu Indebtedness in accordance with provisions similar to
this Section 1016. If the aggregate Accreted Value of Notes validly tendered and
not withdrawn by holders thereof exceeds the Excess Proceeds, Notes to be
purchased will be selected on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such offer to
purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.

               (d) If the Company becomes obligated to make an Offer pursuant to
clause (c) above, the Notes shall be purchased by the Company, at the option of
the holder thereof, in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000, on a
date that is not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days from the date
the notice is given to holders, or such later date as may be necessary for the
Company to comply with the requirements under the Exchange Act or any other
applicable securities laws or regulations, subject to proration in the event the
amount of Excess Proceeds is less than the aggregate Offered Price of all Notes
tendered.

               (e) The Company will comply to the extent applicable with the
requirements of the tender offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange
Act, and any other applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with
an Excess Proceeds Offer.

               SECTION 1017. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment
Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

               The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends, in cash or otherwise,
or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, (b) pay
any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (c)
make Investments in the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (d) transfer
any of its properties or assets to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary or (e) guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary, except


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       77

for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) any
agreement in effect on the date of this Indenture and listed on Schedule A
attached to this Indenture, (ii) applicable law or judicial or regulatory
action, (iii) customary non-assignment provisions of any lease governing a
leasehold interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (iv) any
agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not
created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not
applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than
the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired and the
Subsidiaries of such Person, (v) any mortgage or other Lien on real property
acquired or improved by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the date
of this Indenture that prohibit transfers of the type described in (d) above
with respect to such real property, (vi) any encumbrance or restriction
contained in contracts for sales of assets permitted by Section 1016 with
respect to the assets to be sold pursuant to such contract; (vii) any such
customary encumbrance or restriction contained in a security document creating a
Permitted Lien (other than a Lien securing Indebtedness under a Bank Credit
Agreement or a Vendor Credit Facility) to the extent relating to the property or
asset subject to such Permitted Lien; (viii) any agreement or other instrument
governing any Indebtedness under any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Credit
Facility if such encumbrance or restriction applies only (x) to amounts which at
any point in time (other than during such periods as are described in clause
(y)) (1) exceed amounts due and payable (or which are to become due and payable
within 30 days) in respect of the Notes or this Indenture for interest, premium
and principal (after giving effect to any realization by the Company under any
applicable Currency Agreement), or (2) if paid, would result in an event
described in the following clause (y) of this sentence, or (y) during the
pendency of any event that causes, permits or, after notice or lapse of time,
would cause or permit the holder(s) of the Indebtedness governed by such
agreement or instrument to declare any such Indebtedness to be immediately due
and payable or require cash collateralization or cash cover for such
Indebtedness for so long as such cash collateralization or cash cover has not
been provided; or (ix) the refinancing of Indebtedness incurred under the
agreements listed on Schedule A attached to this Indenture or described in
clause (v) above, so long as such encumbrances or restrictions are no less
favorable in any material respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
than those contained in the respective agreement as in effect on the date of
this Indenture.

               SECTION 1018.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.

               The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with
any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 803, Sections 1007 or 1009
through 1017, inclusive, if before or after the time for such compliance the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount at maturity of the
Outstanding Notes, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such
instance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend
to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly


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                                       78

waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the
Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or
condition shall remain in full force and effect.

               SECTION 1019.  Required Stock Ownership.

               The Company will at all times be the legal and beneficial owner
of the Pledged Stock and will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
Capital Stock of Satellite CD Radio Inc.

               SECTION 1020.  Further Assurances.

               The Company will promptly execute and deliver such additional
instruments and do such further acts as in the opinion of the Trustee may be
reasonably necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this Indenture and
the Collateral Documents.

               SECTION 1021.  Limitation on Subsidiary Business Activities.

               Satellite CD Radio, Inc. shall not engage in any trade or
business other than holding an FCC license to build, launch and operate a
national satellite radio broadcast system.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                               REDEMPTION OF NOTES

               SECTION 1101.  Right of Redemption.

               The Notes (a) may be redeemed, at the election of the Company, as
a whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after [        ], 2002
subject to the conditions and at the Redemption Prices specified in the form of
Note, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date and (b) may be
redeemed, at the election of the Company, at any time or from time to time prior
to [       ], 2000 upon the occurrence of the events and subject to the
conditions and at the redemption price specified in the form of Note.

               SECTION 1102.  Applicability of Article.

               Redemption of Notes at the election of the Company or otherwise,
as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in
accordance with such provision and this Article Eleven.


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                                       79

               SECTION 1103.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

               The election of the Company to redeem any Notes pursuant to
Section 1101 shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption
at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of
the principal amount at maturity of Notes to be redeemed and shall deliver to
the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select
the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 1104.

               SECTION 1104.  Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed.

               If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular
Notes to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date by the Trustee by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the
portion of the principal amount at maturity of a Note not redeemed to less than
$1,000.

               The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the
Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial
redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed.

               For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Notes shall relate, in the
case of any Note redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
principal amount at maturity of such Note which has been or is to be redeemed.

               SECTION 1105.  Notice of Redemption.

               Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in
Section 106 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date,
to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed.

               All notices of redemption shall state:

               (1) the Redemption Date;

               (2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest to
        the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1107, if any;


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                                       80

               (3) if less than all Outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the
        identification (and, in the case of a partial redemption, the principal
        amount at maturity) of the particular Notes to be redeemed;

               (4) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice
        which relates to such Note shall state that on and after the Redemption
        Date, upon surrender of such Note, the holder will receive, without
        charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for the
        principal amount at maturity thereof remaining unredeemed;

               (5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price (and accrued
        interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section
        1107) will become due and payable upon each such Note, or the portion
        thereof, to be redeemed, and that interest thereon will cease to accrue
        on and after said date; and

               (6) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered
        for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any.

               Notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed at the election of
        the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request,
        by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

               SECTION 1106.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

               Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued interest on, all
the Notes which are to be redeemed on that date.

               SECTION 1107.  Notes Payable on Redemption Date.

               Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Notes so
to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified (together with accrued interest, if any, to
the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall
default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Notes
shall cease to accrue interest or original issue discount. Upon surrender of any
such Note for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Note shall be paid
by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any,
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest whose
Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the
Holders


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       81

of such Notes, or one or more Predecessor Notes, registered as such at the close
of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

               If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall,
until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the
Notes.

               SECTION 1108.  Notes Redeemed in Part.

               Any Note which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the
provisions of this Article Eleven) shall be surrendered at the office or agency
of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if
the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly
executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holders attorney duly authorized in
writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes,
of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate
principal amount at maturity equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion
of the principal amount at maturity of the Note so surrendered.

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                        SECURITY AND PLEDGE OF COLLATERAL

               SECTION 1201.  Collateral Documents.

               Each Holder of a Note, by its acceptance thereof, (i) consents
and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Documents, (ii) authorizes and
ratifies the entering into by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent of each of
the Collateral Documents to which they are a party and (iii) authorizes and
directs the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to perform their respective
obligations and exercise their rights thereunder in accordance therewith.

               SECTION 1202.  Trustee May Perform.

               If the Company fails to perform any agreement contained in this
Article Twelve, the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, itself perform,
or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Trustee
incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the Company under Section
606.


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                                       82

               SECTION 1203.  Collateral Trust Arrangements.

               (a) The Trustee shall, upon request of the Company and upon
receipt of the Opinion of Counsel and Officers Certificate described in
paragraph (c) of this Section 1203, amend, revise and supplement the Pledge
Agreement to assign and pledge to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Holders of the Notes and the equal and ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a
security interest in the Collateral and to enter into a Custodian Agreement that
provides for the enforcement of the payment of Indebtedness under this Indenture
equally and ratably with all other Secured Debt.

               (b) Upon any such assignment or pledge pursuant to paragraph (a)
above, the Collateral shall be held in trust under and subject to the terms and
conditions of the Collateral Documents for the benefit of the Secured Parties
and for the enforcement of the payment of Indebtedness under this Indenture
equally and ratably with all other Secured Debt and for the performance of and
compliance with the covenants and conditions of this Indenture and the other
Collateral Documents. It is intended that this Indenture and the other
Collateral Documents shall be construed and enforced to give effect to such
intention.

               (c) Prior to giving effect to any assignment or pledge of the
Collateral to the Collateral Agent, the Trustee shall receive an Opinion of
Counsel and an Officer's Certificate as to the validity and perfection of a
first-priority lien on the Collateral for the equal and ratable benefit of the
Secured Parties.

               SECTION 1204.  Certificates and Opinions.

               The Company shall comply with (a) TIA 'SS' 314(b), relating to
Opinions of Counsel regarding the Lien of this Indenture and (b) TIA
'SS' 314(d), relating to, among other matters, the release of Collateral from
the Lien of this Indenture and Officers' Certificates or other documents
regarding fair value of the Collateral, to the extent such provisions are
applicable. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA 'SS' 314(d) may be
executed and delivered by an Officer of the Company to the extent permitted by
TIA 'SS' 314(d).

                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

               SECTION 1301.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.

               The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution, at any time,
with respect to the Notes, elect to have either Section 1302 or Section 1303 be
applied to all


<PAGE>

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                                       83

Outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this
Article Thirteen.

               SECTION 1302.  Defeasance and Discharge.

               Upon the Company's exercise under Section 1301 of the option
applicable to this Section 1302, the Company shall be deemed to have been
discharged from its obligations with respect to all Outstanding Notes on the
date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter,
"defeasance"). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the
Outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be "Outstanding" only for
the purposes of Section 1305 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred
to in (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under
such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the
Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until
otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of
Outstanding Notes to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section
1304 and as more fully set forth in Section 1304, payments in respect of the
principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on such Notes when such
payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Notes under
Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties
and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article Thirteen. Subject
to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its option
and at any time under this Section 1302 notwithstanding the prior exercise of
its option under Section 1303 with respect to the Notes.

               SECTION 1303.  Covenant Defeasance.

               Upon the Company's exercise under Section 1301 of the option
applicable to this Section 1303, the Company shall be released from its
obligations under any covenant contained in Section 803 and in Sections 1007
through 1017 with respect to the Outstanding Notes on and after the date the
conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"),
and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not to be "Outstanding" for the
purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and
the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall
continue to be deemed "Outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder. For this
purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding
Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant,
whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to
any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any
other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply
shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4), but,
except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall
be unaffected thereby.


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                                       84

               SECTION 1304.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

               The following shall be the conditions to application of either
Section 1302 or Section 1303 to the Outstanding Notes:

               (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
        deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the
        requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the
        provisions of this Article Thirteen applicable to it) as trust funds in
        trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically
        pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the
        Holders of such Notes, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government
        Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and
        interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide,
        not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an
        amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a
        nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed
        in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
        discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other
        qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, at the principal of (and
        premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Notes at their Stated
        Maturity (or Redemption Date, if applicable) of such principal (and
        premium, if any) or installment of interest on the day on which such
        payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this
        Indenture and of such Notes; provided that the Trustee shall have been
        irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S.
        Government Obligations to said payments with respect to the Notes.
        Before such a deposit, the Company may give to the Trustee, in
        accordance with Section 1103 hereof, a notice of its election to redeem
        all of the Outstanding Notes at a future date in accordance with Article
        Eleven hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such irrevocable
        redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the
        foregoing. For this purpose, "U.S. Government Obligations" means
        securities that are (x) direct obligations of the United States of
        America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is
        pledged or (y) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and
        acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America
        the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full
        faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in
        either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer
        thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank
        (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with
        respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of
        principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by
        such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt,
        provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
        authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder
        of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
        respect of the U.S.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       85

        Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or
        interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository
        receipt.

               (2) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes
        shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or,
        insofar as paragraphs (8) and (9) of Section 501 hereof are concerned,
        at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of
        such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be
        deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

               (3) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
        breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or
        any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a
        party or by which it is bound.

               (4) In the case of an election under Section 1302, the Company
        shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
        (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
        Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since [date of final
        prospectus], there has been a change in the applicable federal income
        tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such
        opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Notes will
        not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
        result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on
        the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
        been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

               (5) In the case of an election under Section 1303, the Company
        shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
        that the Holders of the Outstanding Notes will not recognize income,
        gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
        covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the
        same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
        been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

               (6) In the case of an election under Section 1302 or Section
        1303, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
        Counsel in the United States to the effect that after the 91st day
        following the deposit or after the date such opinion is delivered, the
        trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
        Bankruptcy Law.

               (7) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
        Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with
        the intent of preferring the holders of the Notes over the other
        creditors of the Company with the intent of hindering, delaying or
        defrauding creditors of the Company.


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<PAGE>


                                       86

               (8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
        Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
        precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section
        1302 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1303 (as the case may be)
        have been complied with.

               SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to
Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

               Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003,
all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof)
deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for
purposes of this Section 1305, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1304 in
respect of the Outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the
Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to
the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company
acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of
such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal
(and premium, if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.

               The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax,
fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Governmental
Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest
received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which
by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Notes.

               Anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to
time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as
provided in Section 1304 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant
defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article Thirteen.

               SECTION 1306.  Reinstatement.

               If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money
in accordance with Section 1305 by reason of any order or judgment of any court
or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, then the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
Section 1302 or 1303, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or
Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section
1305; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment


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                                       87

of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the
Trustee or Paying Agent.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture
to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed
and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                       CD RADIO INC.


                                       By
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



                                       IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST
                                       COMPANY



                                       By
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                       EXHIBIT A -- FORM OF NOTE

                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

[Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to the Company (as
defined below) or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment,
and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other
name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is
made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]*

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive
registered form, this certificate may not be transferred except as a whole by
DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC
or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such
successor Depository.]*

                                  CD RADIO INC.

                                   [ ]% Senior
                                 Discount Notes
                                    due 2007

No._____                                                         $_____________

                                                      CUSIP:  [                ]

               The following information is supplied for purposes of Sections
1273 and 1275 of the Internal Revenue Code:

Issue Date:  [               ], 1997              Original issue discount under
                                                  Section 1273 of the Internal
                                                  Revenue Code (for each $1,000
                                                  principal amount at maturity):
                                                  $[            ]


Issue Price (for each $1,000                Yield to Maturity:  [ ]%
        principal amount at
        maturity):  $[       ]

- --------
*       To be included on Notes issued in global form only.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-2



Method used to determine yield to maturity     Original issue discount for short
for short accrual period of [        ]            accrual period of [       ] to
to January 1, 1998: exact method                  January 1, 1998, (for each
                                                  $1,000 principal amount
                                                  amount at maturity): $[      ]

               CD Radio Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the
"Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
____________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________
Dollars on [         ], 2007, at the office or agency of the Company referred to
below, and to pay interest thereon on [          ], 2002, and semi-annually
thereafter, on [           ] and [            ] in each year (each an "Interest
Payment Date"), from [          ], 2002, or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at the rate
of [      ]% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for,
and (to the extent lawful) to pay on demand interest on any overdue interest at
the rate of [     ]% per annum from the date on which such overdue interest
becomes payable to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly
provided for. The principal on this Note shall not accrue interest until
[        ], 2002, except in the case of a default in payment of the amount due
at Maturity, in which case, the amount then due on this Note shall bear interest
at the rate of [     ]% per annum from the date of such default in payment, as
provided in the previous sentence. The interest so payable, and punctually paid
or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the
Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more
Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest, which shall be the [         ] or [      ] (whether or
not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment
Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and
such defaulted interest, and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted
interest at [    ]% per annum, may be paid to the Person in whose name this Note
(or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Notes not less than 10
days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by
such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. Payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note will be made at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New
York, or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be maintained for
such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the
time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts;
provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the
Company (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as
such address shall appear on the Note Register or (ii) by transfer to an account
maintained by the payee located in the United States.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-3

        [This Note is a global Note representing $_____ of the Notes. If at any
time, (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depository or if at any time the Depository shall no longer be
registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable
statute or regulation and a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company
within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such
condition, as the case may be, or (ii) any Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing and Holders of more than 25% in principal amount of the Notes
Outstanding represented by one or more global Notes advise the Trustee that the
continuation of a book-entry system through the Depository (or a successor
thereto) with respect to the Notes is no longer required, then in such event the
Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Notes in
definitive registered form, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of this Note in exchange for this
Note. Such Notes in definitive registered form shall be registered in such names
and issued in such authorized denominations as the Depository, pursuant to
instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Notes to the Persons in
whose names such Notes are so registered.]*

               Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

               Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature,
this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, or be valid
or obligatory for any purpose.

- --------
*  To be included on Notes issued in global form only.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-4

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
duly executed.

               Dated: [             ]            CD Radio Inc.


                                                 By:____________________________
                                                    Name:
                                                    Title:



                                                 Attest: _______________________
                                                         Name:
                                                         Title:





                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.

               This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                                                 IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST
                                                 COMPANY, as Trustee



                                                 By_____________________________
                                                        Authorized Officer


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-5

                             [REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

               This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company designated as its [    ]% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 (herein
called the "Notes"), limited (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture
referred to below) in aggregate principal amount at maturity to $[           ], 
which may be issued under an indenture (herein called the "Indenture") dated as
of [                 ] 1997, between the Company and [                ], trustee
(herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under
the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto
reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations
of rights, duties, obligations and immunities thereunder of the Company, the
Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, and of the terms upon which the Notes are,
and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The Notes are secured by the
Collateral.

               The Notes are subject to redemption, at the option of the
Company, as a whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after
[            ], 2002, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice at
the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount at maturity)
set forth below, together with accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date,
if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on [               ] of the
years indicated below (subject to the right of holders of record on relevant
record dates to receive interest due on a relevant interest payment date):


                                                     Redemption
               Year                                    Price
               ----                                  -----------
               2002                                         %
               2003                                         %
               2004                                         %
               2005 and thereafter                       100%

               In addition, (i) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Company is obligated to make an offer to purchase all outstanding Notes at a
price of 101% of the Accreted Value thereof on the applicable date of purchase,
together with accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the
right of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on
relevant interest payment dates), and (ii) upon the occurrence of an Asset Sale,
the Company may be obligated to make an offer to purchase all or a portion of
the outstanding Notes at a price of 100% of the Accreted Value thereof on the
applicable date of purchase, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date
of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on relevant record dates
to receive interest due on relevant interest payment dates).


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-6

               In the case of any redemption of Notes, interest installments
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to
the Holders of such Notes, or one or more Predecessor Notes, of record at the
close of business on the relevant Record Date referred to on the face hereof.
Notes (or portions thereof) for whose redemption and payment provision is made
in accordance with the Indenture shall cease to bear interest from and after the
Redemption Date.

               In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note
or Notes for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the
Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

               If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
principal of all the Notes may be declared to be due and payable in the manner
and with the effect provided in the Indenture and in an amount equal to (i) the
Accreted Value of the Notes as of the date on which the Notes first become due
and payable, if such date occurs prior to [       ], 2002, or (ii) the Accreted
value of the Notes as of the date on which the Notes first become due and
payable plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such date, if such date
occurs on or after [        ], 2002.

               This Note is secured by a security interest in certain
Collateral, as provided in the Indenture, and is entitled to the benefits
thereof.

               The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of
(a) the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Note and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related Defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which
provisions apply to this Note.

               The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders under the Indenture at
any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes at the time
Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes at the time
Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, to waive compliance by
the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults
under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by or on
behalf of the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the
registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

               No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-7

unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on
this Note at the times, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed.

               As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable on the Note Register
of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in The City of New
York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to, the Company and the Note Registrar and duly executed by
the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one
or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount at maturity, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.

               The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes of a
different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the
same.

               No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

               Prior to the time of due presentment of this Note for
registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company
or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the
owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

               All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-8

                                 TRANSFER NOTICE

                  To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s)
and transfer(s) unto:



- --------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee)



- --------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or taxpayer identification number)


the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing ______________________________________________ attorney to transfer
such Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the
premises.



Date: _______________

Your Signature: ___________________________

<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-9

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

        If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
Section 1010, Section 1016 or Section 1101 of the Indenture, check the box: [ ].

        If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 1010, Section 1016 or Section 1101 of the Indenture, state
the amount (in principal amount at maturity) below:

$---------------------.


Date: _____________

Your Signature: ___________________________

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee: ______________________________
                      (Signature must be guaranteed)

<PAGE>



<PAGE>







                                WARRANT AGREEMENT



                                     between



                                  CD RADIO INC.



                                       and



                        IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
                                  Warrant Agent




                            -------------------------






                         Dated as of [            ], 1997



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        i

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Page

                                      ARTICLE I

                                 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

<S>                   <C>                                                             <C>
    Section 1.1      Definitions......................................................  1

                                     ARTICLE II

                             ORIGINAL ISSUE OF WARRANTS

    Section 2.1      Form of Warrant Certificates.....................................  4
    Section 2.2      Restrictive Legends..............................................  5
    Section 2.3      Execution and Delivery of Warrant Certificates...................  5
    Section 2.4      Loss or Mutilation...............................................  5
    Section 2.5      CUSIP Number.....................................................  6

                                     ARTICLE III

                        EXERCISE PRICE; EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

    Section 3.1      Exercise Price...................................................  6
    Section 3.2      Exercise; Restrictions on Exercise...............................  6
    Section 3.3      Method of Exercise................................................ 7

                                     ARTICLE IV

                               Intentionally Omitted

                                      ARTICLE V

                        WARRANT TRANSFER BOOKS; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

    Section 5.1      Transfer and Exchange............................................. 8
    Section 5.2      Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange............... 9
    Section 5.3      Book-Entry Provisions for the Global Warrants.................... 10
    Section 5.4      Surrender of Warrant Certificates................................ 11

                                     ARTICLE VI

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                                      ii

                             COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

<S>                  <C>                                                             <C>
    Section 6.1     Reservation and Authorization.................................... 11
    Section 6.2     Filing and Effectiveness of Warrant Securities Registration
                      Statement ......................................................12
    Section 6.3     Blue Sky......................................................... 12
    Section 6.4     Accuracy of Disclosure........................................... 13
    Section 6.5     Indemnity........................................................ 13
    Section 6.6     Expenses......................................................... 13

                                    ARTICLE VII

                                     REMEDIES

    Section 7.1     Liquidated Damages............................................... 14
    Section 7.2     Remedies; No Waiver.............................................. 15

                                   ARTICLE VIII

                                 THE WARRANT AGENT

    Section 8.1     Duties and Liabilities........................................... 15
    Section 8.2     Right to Consult Counsel......................................... 17
    Section 8.3     Compensation; Indemnification.................................... 17
    Section 8.4     No Restrictions on Actions....................................... 17
    Section 8.5     Discharge or Removal; Replacement Warrant Agent.................. 17
    Section 8.6     Successor Warrant Agent.......................................... 18

                                    ARTICLE IX

                                  WARRANT HOLDERS

    Section 9.1     Warrant Holder Not Deemed a Holder of Notes...................... 19
    Section 9.2     Right of Action.................................................. 19

                                     ARTICLE X

                                   MISCELLANEOUS

    Section 10.1    Money Deposited with the Warrant Agent........................... 19
    Section 10.2    Payment of Taxes................................................. 19
    Section 10.3    Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets of the Company........... 20
    Section 10.4    Reports to Holders............................................... 21
    Section 10.5    Notices.......................................................... 21
    Section 10.6    Severability..................................................... 21
    Section 10.7    Binding Effect................................................... 21

</TABLE>



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


<TABLE>

                                             iii

<S>                    <C>                                                             <C>
    Section 10.8      Third Party Beneficiaries........................................ 22
    Section 10.9      Amendments....................................................... 22
    Section 10.10     Headings......................................................... 22
    Section 10.11     GOVERNING LAW.................................................... 22
    Section 10.12     Counterparts..................................................... 22


    EXHIBIT A Form of Warrant Certificate
    EXHIBIT B Form of Legend for Global Warrants
    EXHIBIT C Form of Legend for Warrants Issued as Part of a Unit

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                WARRANT AGREEMENT

               AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of [     ], 1997 between CD
Radio Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and IBJ Schroder Bank &
Trust Company, Warrant Agent (the "Warrant Agent").

               Pursuant to the terms of a Purchase Agreement dated [     ], 1997
(the "Purchase Agreement") among the Company on the one hand and Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), Lehman Brothers Inc. and
Libra Investments, Inc. on the other hand (collectively, the "Underwriters"),
the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Underwriters warrants (each, a
"Warrant") entitling the holders thereof to purchase an aggregate of [      ]
principal amount at maturity of [ ]% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 (the
"Notes") to be issued pursuant to the provisions of an Indenture dated as of
[       ], 1997 (as in effect on the date hereof, the "Indenture") between the
Company, as issuer, and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, trustee, as part of
[       ] units (the "Units"), each Unit consisting of $[     ] principal amount
at maturity of Notes and one Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the registered
holder thereof to receive $[     ] principal amount at maturity of Notes.
The Notes and the Warrants included in each Unit will not be separately
transferable until the earliest of (i) the occurrence of an Exercise Event (as
defined herein), (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined
in the Indenture), or (iii) such earlier date as determined by Merrill Lynch
in its sole discretion (the date of the occurrence of an event specified
in clauses (i) through (iii) above being the "Separability Date").

               In consideration of the foregoing and of the agreements contained
in the Purchase Agreement and for the purpose of defining the terms and
provisions of the Warrants and the respective rights and obligations thereunder
of the Company, the record holders thereof (the "Holders") and the Warrant
Agent, the Company and the Warrant Agent each hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

  Section 1.1. Definitions. (a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:

               "Business Day" means any day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday,
or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City are not required
to be open.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        2

               "Bylaws" means the bylaws of the Company, as the same may be
amended or restated from time to time.

               "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

               "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman, its Chief Executive
Officer, its President, any Vice President, its Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer, and delivered to the Warrant Agent.

               "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their
respective successors.

               "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

               "Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

               "Exercise Event" means the exercise of a Warrant or Warrants in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

               "Expiration Date" means [                  ], 1997.

               "Issue Date" means [                ], 1997.

               "Notes" means the [ ]% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007
issued under the Indenture.

               "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

               "Securities Act" means the United States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.

               "Warrant Securities" means the Notes issuable upon exercise of
the Warrants.

               (b) Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set
forth opposite such term:

               Term                                              Section
               ----                                              --------
               Agent Members                                     5.3(a)



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        3

               Agreement                                         Preamble
               Certificated Warrant                              2.3
               Company                                           Preamble
               Event Date                                        7.1(b)
               Global Warrant                                    2.3
               Holders                                           Recitals
               Indemnified Party                                 6.5
               Indenture                                         Recitals
               Merrill Lynch                                     Recitals
               Notes                                             Recitals
               Purchase Agreement                                Recitals
               Separability Date                                 Recitals
               Underwriters                                      Recitals
               Units                                             Recitals
               Warrant                                           Recitals
               Warrant Agent                                     Preamble
               Warrant Certificates                              2.1
               Warrant Register                                  5.1


                                   ARTICLE II

                           ORIGINAL ISSUE OF WARRANTS

               Section 2.1. Form of Warrant Certificates. Certificates
representing the Warrants (the "Warrant Certificates") shall be in registered
form only and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. The
Warrant Certificates shall be dated the date on which countersigned by the
Warrant Agent and shall have such insertions as are appropriate or required or
permitted by this Agreement and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of
identification and such legends and endorsements typed, stamped, printed,
lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to
comply with any law or with any rule or regulation pursuant thereto, or to
conform to usage.

               The terms and provisions contained in the form of Warrant
Certificate annexed hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are hereby
expressly made, a part of this Agreement.

               The definitive Warrant Certificates shall be typed, printed,
lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods, all as
determined by the officer of the Company executing such Warrant Certificates, as
evidenced by such officer's execution of such Warrant Certificates.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        4

               Pending the preparation of definitive Warrant Certificates,
temporary Warrant Certificates may be issued, which may be printed,
lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, and which will be
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Warrant Certificates in lieu of
which they are issued.

               If temporary Warrant Certificates are issued, the Company will
cause definitive Warrant Certificates to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Warrant Certificates, the temporary Warrant
Certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive Warrant Certificates upon
surrender of the temporary Warrant Certificates to the Warrant Agent, without
charge to the Holder. Until so exchanged the temporary Warrant Certificates
shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as
definitive Warrant Certificates.

               Section 2.2. Restrictive Legends. (a) Each Global Warrant shall
bear the legend set forth in Exhibit B on the face thereof.

               (b) Each Warrant Certificate issued prior to the Separability
Date shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit C on the face thereof.

               Section 2.3. Execution and Delivery of Warrant Certificates.
Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to
[        ] principal amount at maturity of Notes may be executed, on or after
the Issue Date, by the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent for
countersignature, and the Warrant Agent shall thereupon countersign and deliver
such Warrant Certificates upon the order and at the direction of the Company to
the purchasers thereof on the date of issuance. The Warrant Agent is hereby
authorized to countersign and deliver Warrant Certificates as required by this
Section 2.3 or by Section 2.4, 3.3 or 5.3.

               The Warrant Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, either
manually or by facsimile signature printed thereon. The Warrant Certificates
shall be countersigned manually by the Warrant Agent and shall not be valid for
any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company whose
signature shall have been placed upon any of the Warrant Certificates shall
cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Warrant
Agent and issuance and delivery thereof, such Warrant Certificates may,
nevertheless, be countersigned by the Warrant Agent and issued and delivered
with the same force and effect as though such person had not ceased to be such
officer of the Company.

               The Warrants shall be issued initially in the form of one or more
permanent global Warrant Certificates in definitive, fully registered form,
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "Global Warrant"),
deposited with the Warrant Agent, as custodian for the depositary, duly executed
by the Company and countersigned by the Warrant Agent



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        5

as hereinafter provided. Pursuant to Section 5.3, interests in the Global
Warrant may be converted into or exchanged for one or more Warrant Certificates
in definitive, fully registered form, substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit A ("Certificated Warrants").

               Section 2.4. Loss or Mutilation. Upon receipt by the Company and
the Warrant Agent of evidence satisfactory to them, in their reasonable
discretion, of the ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
any Warrant Certificate and of indemnity satisfactory to them and (in the case
of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation thereof, then, in the absence of
notice to the Company or the Warrant Agent that the Warrants represented thereby
have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the
Warrant Agent shall countersign and deliver to the registered Holder of the
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant Certificate, in exchange for or in
lieu thereof, a new Warrant Certificate of the same tenor and for a like
aggregate number of Warrants. Upon the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate
under this Section 2.4, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and other expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of the
Warrant Agent and of counsel to the Company) in connection therewith. Every new
Warrant Certificate executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 2.4 in lieu
of any lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall constitute a
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen
or destroyed Warrant Certificates shall be at any time enforceable by anyone,
and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement equally and
proportionately with any and all other Warrant Certificates duly executed and
delivered hereunder. The provisions of this Section 2.4 are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights or remedies with respect to the
replacement of mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed Warrant Certificates.

               Section 2.5. CUSIP Number. The Company in issuing the Warrants
may use a "CUSIP" number(s), and if so, the Warrant Agent shall use the CUSIP
number(s) in notices as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice
may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of
the CUSIP number(s) printed in the notice or on the Warrants, and that reliance
may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Warrants.

                                   ARTICLE III

                      EXERCISE PRICE; EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

               Section 3.1. No Exercise Price. Each Warrant Certificate shall,
when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, entitle the Holder thereof, subject to
and upon compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, to receive, without
exercise price, $[        ] aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        6

               Section 3.2. Exercise; Restrictions on Exercise. Subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, the Warrants shall be immediately
exercisable upon issuance. Any Warrants not exercised by 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date shall expire and all rights of the Holders of
such Warrants shall terminate.

               Section 3.3. Method of Exercise. (a) (i) Each Warrant may only be
exercised in whole. In order to exercise all or any of the Warrants represented
by a Warrant Certificate, the Holder thereof shall surrender for exercise the
Warrant Certificate to the Warrant Agent, with the subscription form set forth
in the Warrant Certificate (or a copy thereof furnished by the Warrant Agent)
duly executed.

               (ii) Upon receipt of the Warrant Certificate and the duly
executed Subscription Form, the Warrant Agent shall promptly notify the Company
in writing of such surrender.

               (iii) If fewer than all of the Warrants represented by a Global
Warrant are exercised, the Global Warrant shall not be surrendered to the
Warrant Agent in accordance with Section 3.3(a)(i) and the Warrant Agent shall
decrease or reflect on its records, as custodian for DTC, or its nominee, a
decrease in the aggregate number of Warrants represented by such Global Warrant
equal to the number of Warrants exercised.

               (b) Upon exercise of any Warrants, following surrender of a
Warrant Certificate in conformity with the foregoing provisions, the Warrant
Agent shall instruct the Company to issue promptly, pursuant to the Indenture,
the Warrant Securities to which such Holder is entitled, in the form required
under such Indenture, registered in such name or names as may be directed by
such Holder; provided that the Holder of such Warrant shall be responsible for
the payment of any transfer taxes required as the result of any change in
ownership of such Warrants or the issuance of Warrant Securities other than to
the registered owner of such Warrants and the Company may deduct such taxes from
any payment of money to be made and shall not be required to issue or deliver
such Warrant Securities (if such taxes are not deducted in full) unless and
until the Holder shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall
have established to the satisfaction of the Company and the Warrant Agent that
such tax has been paid.

               (c) A Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately
prior to the close of business on the date of exercise, as provided in and in
accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section 3.3, of such Warrant and, for all
purposes of this Agreement, the Person entitled to receive any Warrant
Securities shall, as between such Person and the Company, be deemed to be the
Holder of such Warrant Securities of record as of the close of business on such
date and shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall deliver to such
Person, the Warrant Securities.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        7

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              Intentionally Omitted

                                    ARTICLE V

                WARRANT TRANSFER BOOKS; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

          Section 5.1. Transfer and Exchange. The Warrant Certificates
shall be issued in registered form only. The Company shall cause to be kept at
the office of the Warrant Agent a register (the "Warrant Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall
provide for the registration of Warrant Certificates and transfers or exchanges
of Warrant Certificates as herein provided. All Warrant Certificates issued upon
any registration of transfer or exchange of Warrant Certificates shall be the
valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same obligations, and entitled
to the same benefit under this Agreement, as the Warrant Certificates
surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange.

               A Holder may transfer its Warrants only by complying with the
terms of this Agreement. No such transfer shall be effected until, and such
transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance
and registration of the transfer by the Warrant Agent in the Warrant Register.
Prior to the registration of any transfer of Warrants by a Holder as provided
herein, the Company, the Warrant Agent, any agent of the Company or the Warrant
Agent may treat the Person in whose name the Warrants are registered as the
owner thereof for all purposes and as the Person entitled to exercise the rights
represented thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding. Furthermore,
any Holder of a Global Warrant, shall, by acceptance of such Global Warrant,
agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Warrant may be
effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the Holder of such
Global Warrant (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in
the Warrants represented thereby shall be required to be reflected in a book
entry. When Warrants are presented to the Warrant Agent with a request to
register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal amount of Warrants of
other authorized denominations, the Warrant Agent shall register the transfer or
make the exchange in accordance with the provisions hereof.

               Section 5.2. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
Each Warrant shall initially be issued as part of a Unit consisting of $[      ]
principal amount at maturity of Notes and one Warrant. Prior to the Separability
Date, the Warrants may not be transferred or exchanged separately from, but may
be transferred or exchanged only together



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        8

with, the Notes attached to such Warrants. Prior to the Separability Date, the
Trustee under the Indenture shall act as transfer agent ("Transfer Agent") for
both the Warrants and the Notes. Any request for transfer of a Warrant prior to
the Separability Date to the Transfer Agent shall be accompanied by the Note
attached thereto and the Transfer Agent will not execute any such transfer
without such Note attached thereto. Such Note will be duly endorsed and
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company, duly executed by the Holder thereof or the Holder's attorneys duly
authorized in writing. The Company shall provide notice to the Transfer Agent
and the Warrant Agent of the Separability Date five Business Days prior to such
date and the Transfer Agent will notify DTC of such date.

               When Certificated Warrants are presented to the Warrant Agent
with a request from the Holder of such Warrants to register the transfer or to
exchange them for an equal number of Warrants of other authorized denominations,
the Warrant Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested;
provided that every Warrant presented and surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed and be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the
Holder thereof or the Holder's attorneys duly authorized in writing.

               To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company
shall make available to the Warrant Agent a sufficient number of executed
Warrant Certificates to effect such registrations of transfers and exchanges. No
service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Warrants, but the Company may require from the transferring or
exchanging Holder payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or
similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.4 and
exchanges in respect of portions of Warrants not exercised and the Company may
deduct such taxes from any payment of money to be made and such transfer or
exchange shall not be consummated (if such taxes are not deducted in full)
unless or until the Holder shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax
or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company and the Warrant
Agent that such tax has been paid.

               Section 5.3. Book-Entry Provisions for the Global Warrants. (a)
The Global Warrant initially shall (i) be registered in the name of DTC or the
nominee of DTC, (ii) be delivered to the Warrant Agent as custodian for DTC and
(iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof. Members of, or
participants in, DTC ("Agent Members") shall have no rights under this Agreement
with respect to the Global Warrant held on their behalf by DTC or the Warrant
Agent as its custodian, and DTC may be treated by the Company, the Warrant Agent
and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent as the absolute owner of such
Global Warrant for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Warrant Agent or any agent of the
Company or the Warrant Agent from giving effect to any written certification,
proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its
Agent Members, the operation of



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        9

customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner
of any Warrants.

               (b) Transfers of the Global Warrant shall be limited to transfers
of such Global Warrant in whole, but not in part, to DTC, its successors or
their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Warrant
may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of DTC.
Certificated Warrants shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange
for their beneficial interests in the Global Warrant if (i) DTC notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global
Warrant or (ii) DTC ceases to be a "Clearing Agency" registered under the
Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within
90 days.

               (c) In connection with the transfer of the entire Global Warrant
to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 5.3, the Global
Warrant shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Warrant Agent for cancellation,
and the Company shall execute, and the Warrant Agent shall countersign and
deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by DTC in exchange for its
beneficial interest in the Global Warrant, Certificated Warrants of authorized
denominations representing, in the aggregate, the number of Warrants theretofore
represented by the Global Warrant.

               (d) Any Certificated Warrant delivered in exchange for an
interest in a Global Warrant pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section
5.3 shall bear legends as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

               (e) The registered holder of the Global Warrant may grant proxies
and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Agreement or the Warrants.

               (f) Beneficial owners of interests in the Global Warrant may
receive Certificated Warrants (which shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit
C if required by Section 2.2) in accordance with the procedures of DTC. In
connection with the execution, countersigning and delivery of such Certificated
Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall reflect on its books and records a decrease in
the number of Warrants represented by the Global Warrant equal to the number of
Warrants represented by such Certificated Warrants and the Company shall execute
and the Warrant Agent shall countersign and deliver one or more Certificated
Warrants representing, in the aggregate, the number of Warrants theretofore
represented by the Global Warrant.

               Section 5.4. Surrender of Warrant Certificates. Any Warrant
Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or exercise of
the Warrants represented thereby shall, if surrendered to the Company, be
delivered to the Warrant Agent, and all



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       10

Warrant Certificates surrendered or so delivered to the Warrant Agent shall be
promptly cancelled by the Warrant Agent and shall not be reissued by the Company
and, except as provided in this Article V in case of an exchange or in Article
III hereof in case of the exercise of less than all the Warrants represented
thereby or in case of a mutilated Warrant Certificate, no Warrant Certificate
shall be issued hereunder in lieu thereof. The Warrant Agent shall deliver to
the Company from time to time or otherwise dispose of such cancelled Warrant
Certificates as the Company may direct in writing.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                            COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

               Section 6.1. Reservation and Authorization. During the period
within which the Warrants may be exercised in accordance with this Agreement,
the Company will keep available for issue under the Indenture upon exercise of
Warrants as herein provided, such aggregate principal amount at maturity of
Notes sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants and
will cause appropriate evidence of ownership of such Notes to be delivered to
any Holder or to such Holder's order in accordance with this Agreement upon the
Warrant Agent's instruction for delivery upon the exercise of Warrants. The
Company shall use its best efforts to file and cause to be declared effective a
Warrant Securities Registration Statement with respect to the Warrant
Securities. The Company covenants that all Warrant Securities that may be issued
upon the exercise of the Warrants will, upon issuance, be duly executed, issued
and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and free
from all taxes, liens, charges and security interests with respect to the issue
thereof.

               Section 6.2. Freely Tradable Warrant Securities. The Company
shall provide, upon exercise of Warrants in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, Warrant Securities that are freely tradable without restriction and
are not "Restricted Securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act ("Restricted Securities"). If such Warrant Securities are not
freely tradable or are "Restricted Securities," the Company will, as soon a
practicable, prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act
and take any other necessary steps to ensure compliance with the first sentence
of this Section 6.2.

               Section 6.3. Blue Sky. To the extent required to provide Warrant
Securities that are freely tradable and are not Restricted Securities, the
Company shall use its best efforts to register or qualify the Warrant Securities
under all applicable securities or "blue sky" laws of all jurisdictions in the
United States in which any Holder of Warrants may or may be deemed to purchase
Warrant Securities upon the exercise of Warrants and shall use



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       11

its best efforts to maintain such registration or qualification through the
earlier of the date upon which all Warrants have been exercised and the
Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
(i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this
Section 6.3, (ii) file any general consent to service of process or (iii)
subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so
subject.

               Section 6.4. Accuracy of Disclosure. The Company and its
successors represent and warrant to each Holder and agree for the benefit of
each Holder that (i) any Warrant Securities Registration Statement and the
documents incorporated by reference therein will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading and (ii) the Prospectus delivered to such
Holder upon its exercise of the Warrants and the documents incorporated by
reference therein will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that
such representation shall not apply to statements in or omissions from any
Warrant Securities Registration Statement and the documents incorporated by
reference therein or the Prospectus contained therein and the documents
incorporated by reference therein or any amendment or supplement thereto made in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company through a representative by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party
specifically for use therein.

               Section 6.5. Indemnity. The Company hereby indemnifies each
beneficial owner of a Warrant (whether or not it is, at the time the indemnity
provided for in this Section 6.5 is sought, such a beneficial owner) (each, an
"Indemnified Party") against all losses, damages or liabilities which such
beneficial owner suffers as a result of any breach, on the date of any exercise
of a Warrant by such beneficial owner, of the representations, warranties or
agreements contained in Section 6.4; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement in or
omission or alleged omission from any registration statement required to be
filed by the Company under Section 6.2 and the documents incorporated by
reference therein or the Prospectus contained therein and the documents
incorporated by reference therein or any amendment or supplement thereto made in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company through a representative by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party
specifically for use therein.

               Section 6.6. Expenses. All expenses incident to the Company's
performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Agreement will be
borne by the Company, regardless of whether a Warrant Securities Registration
Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all Commission,
stock exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. registration
and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       12

connection with compliance with state securities or "blue sky" laws, (iii) all
expenses of any Persons incurred by or on behalf of the Company in preparing or
assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Warrant
Securities Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements
thereto and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with
this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements of
the Warrant Agent, (vi) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company
and (vii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of
the Company, including the expenses of any special audits or "cold comfort"
letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    REMEDIES

               Section 7.1. Remedies; No Waiver. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, if a default occurs and is continuing, the Holders
of the Warrants may pursue any available remedy to enforce the performance of
any provision of this Agreement. A delay or omission by any Holder of a Warrant
in exercising, or a failure to exercise, any right or remedy arising out of a
default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or
acquiescence in the default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted
by law.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                THE WARRANT AGENT

               Section 8.1. Duties and Liabilities. The Company hereby appoints
the Warrant Agent to act as agent of the Company as set forth in this Agreement.
The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and
agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, by
all of which the Company and the Holders of Warrants, by their acceptance
thereof, shall be bound. The Warrant Agent shall not have any obligation towards
or relationship of agency or trust for the Holders, except as provided in
Section 7.1(b) and Section 10.1 hereof. The Warrant Agent shall not, by
countersigning Warrant Certificates or by any other act hereunder, be deemed to
make any representations as to the validity or authorization of the Warrants or
the Warrant Certificates (except as to its countersignature thereon) or of any
securities or other property delivered upon exercise of any Warrant, or as to
the accuracy of the computation of the Exercise Price or the number or kind or
amount of stock or other securities or other property deliverable upon exercise
of any Warrant, or as to the correctness of the representations of the Company
made in the certificates that the Warrant Agent receives or the validity,
sufficiency or



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       13

adequacy of any offering materials. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable
for the use or application by the Company of the proceeds of the exercise of any
Warrant. The Warrant Agent shall not (a) be liable for any recital or statement
of fact contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or for any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it in good faith in the belief that any Warrant
Certificate or any other documents or any signatures are genuine or properly
authorized, (b) be responsible for any failure on the part of the Company to
comply with any of its covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement or
in the Warrant Certificates or (c) be liable for any act or omission in
connection with this Agreement except for its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to accept instructions with
respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the Chief Executive
Officer, President, any Vice President or the Secretary or Treasurer of the
Company and to apply to any such officer for instructions (which instructions
will be promptly given in writing when requested) and the Warrant Agent shall
not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith
in accordance with the instructions of any such officer; however, in its
discretion, the Warrant Agent may in lieu thereof accept other evidence of such
or may require such further or additional evidence as it may deem reasonable.
The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, or failure to take
any action, with respect to any matter in the event it requests instructions
from the Company as to that matter and does not receive such instructions within
a reasonable period of time after the request therefor.

               The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights and
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys, agents or employees, and the Warrant Agent shall not be
answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any
such attorneys, agents or employees, provided reasonable care has been exercised
in the selection and in the continued employment of any such attorney, agent or
employee. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation or duty to
institute, appear in or defend any action, suit or legal proceeding in respect
hereof, unless first indemnified to its satisfaction, but this provision shall
not affect the power of the Warrant Agent to take such action as the Warrant
Agent may consider proper, whether with or without such indemnity. The Warrant
Agent shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any claim made or action,
suit or proceeding instituted against it arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement.

               The Warrant Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in acting
or refraining from acting upon any certificate, notice, instruction, Warrant,
document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed
or presented by the proper Person. The Warrant Agent need not investigate any
fact or matter stated in any such certificate, notice, instruction, Warrant,
document or other writing. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for any action
that it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized
or within its rights or powers.



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<PAGE>


                                       14

               The Company will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or
cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further
acts, instruments and assurances as are consistent with this Agreement and as
may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent in order to enable it to carry
out or perform its duties under this Agreement.

               The Warrant Agent shall act solely as agent of the Company
hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable except for the failure to
perform such duties as are specifically set forth herein, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Warrant
Agent, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express
provisions hereof.

               With respect to the identity of beneficial owners of interests in
the Global Warrant and the number of Warrants beneficially owned by any
beneficial owner, the Warrant Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on
the records of DTC and shall be fully protected in so relying.

               Section 8.2. Right to Consult Counsel. The Warrant Agent may at
any time consult with legal counsel acceptable to it (who may be legal counsel
for the Company), and the opinion or advice of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent and the Warrant Agent
shall incur no liability or responsibility to the Company or to any Holder for
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the
opinion or advice of such counsel.

               Section 8.3. Compensation; Indemnification. The Company agrees to
pay to the Warrant Agent from time to time compensation for all services
rendered by it hereunder as the Company and the Warrant Agent may agree in
writing from time to time, and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for reasonable
expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with the execution and
administration of this Agreement (including the reasonable fees and the expenses
of its counsel), and further agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to
hold it harmless against, any claim, loss, liability or expense arising out of
or in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any such claim or
liability, except that the Company shall have no liability hereunder to the
extent that any such loss, liability or expense results from the Warrant Agent's
own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The obligations of the Company under
this Section 8.3 shall survive the exercise and the expiration of the Warrants
and the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent. No provision of this
Agreement shall require the Warrant Agent to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate
indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       15

               Section 8.4. No Restrictions on Actions. The Warrant Agent and
any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent may buy,
sell or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company or become
pecuniarily interested in transactions in which the Company may be interested,
or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and
freely as though it were not the Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing
herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for
the Company or for any other legal entity.

               Section 8.5. Discharge or Removal; Replacement Warrant Agent.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.5, no resignation or removal of
the Warrant Agent and no appointment of a successor warrant agent shall become
effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor warrant agent
provided herein. The Warrant Agent may resign from its position as such and be
discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder (except liabilities
arising as a result of the Warrant Agent's own gross negligence or willful
misconduct), after giving one month's prior written notice to the Company. The
Company may remove the Warrant Agent upon one month's prior written notice
specifying the date when such discharge shall take effect, and the Warrant Agent
shall thereupon in like manner be discharged from all further duties and
liabilities hereunder, except as aforesaid. The Warrant Agent or the Company
shall cause to be mailed (by first-class mail, postage prepaid) to each Holder
of a Warrant a copy of said notice of resignation or notice of removal, as the
case may be. Upon such resignation or removal the Company shall appoint in
writing a new warrant agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment
within a period of 30 calendar days after it has been notified in writing of
such resignation by the resigning Warrant Agent or after such removal, then the
resigning Warrant Agent or the Holder of any Warrant may apply to any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new warrant agent. Any new
warrant agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a
bank or trust company doing business under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof, in good standing and having a combined capital and surplus of not
less than $50,000,000. The combined capital and surplus of any such new warrant
agent shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the
most recent annual report of its condition published by such warrant agent prior
to its appointment, provided that such reports are published at least annually
pursuant to law or to the requirements of a federal or state supervising or
examining authority. After acceptance in writing of such appointment by the new
warrant agent, it shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and
responsibilities as if it had been originally named herein as the Warrant Agent,
without any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed; however, the original
Warrant Agent, upon payment of its fees and expenses, shall in all events
deliver and transfer to the successor Warrant Agent all property, if any, at the
time held hereunder by the original Warrant Agent and if for any reason it shall
be necessary or expedient to execute and deliver any further assurance,
conveyance, act or deed, the same shall be done at the expense of the Company
and shall be legally and validly executed and delivered by the resigning or
removed Warrant Agent. Not later than the effective date of any such
appointment, the Company shall file a



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       16

notice thereof with the resigning or removed Warrant Agent and shall forthwith
cause a copy of such notice to be mailed to each Holder of a Warrant. Failure to
give any notice provided for in this Section 8.5, however, or any defect
therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation of the
Warrant Agent or the appointment of a new warrant agent, as the case may be.

               Section 8.6. Successor Warrant Agent. Any corporation into which
the Warrant Agent or any successor warrant agent may be merged or converted, or
any corporation resulting from any consolidation to which the Warrant Agent or
any successor warrant agent shall be a party, and any corporation which acquires
substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Warrant Agent, shall be
a successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without any further act, provided
that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as successor to the
Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 8.5 hereof. Any such successor
Warrant Agent shall promptly cause notice of its succession as Warrant Agent to
be mailed (by first-class mail, postage prepaid) to each Holder of a Warrant.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 WARRANT HOLDERS

               Section 9.1. Warrant Holder Not Deemed a Holder of Notes. The
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder(s) of the
Warrant Certificates as the absolute owner(s) thereof (notwithstanding any
notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by anyone), for the purpose
of any exercise thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor
the Warrant Agent nor any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary. Prior to the exercise of the Warrants,
no Holder of a Warrant Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to any rights of
a holder of Notes.

               Section 9.2. Right of Action. All rights of action with respect
to this Agreement are vested in the Holders of the Warrants, and any Holder of
any Warrant, without the consent of the Warrant Agent or the Holder of any other
Warrant, may, on such Holder's own behalf and for such Holder's own benefit,
enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against
the Company suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect of, such Holder's right
to exercise, exchange or tender for purchase such Holder's Warrants in the
manner provided in the Warrant Certificate representing his Warrants and in this
Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE X



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<PAGE>


                                       17

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

               Section 10.1. Money Deposited with the Warrant Agent. The Warrant
Agent shall not be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement except such as it shall agree in writing with
the Company to pay thereon. Any moneys, securities or other property which at
any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Warrant
Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred
and set over to the Warrant Agent in trust for the purpose for which such
moneys, securities or other property shall have been deposited; but such moneys,
securities or other property need not be segregated from other funds, securities
or other property except to the extent required by law. The Warrant Agent shall
distribute any money deposited with it for payment and distribution to the
Holders by mailing by first-class mail a check in such amount as is required by
this Agreement to each such Holder at the address shown on the Warrant register
of the Company, or as it may be otherwise directed in writing by such Holder, in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. Any money, securities or other
property deposited with the Warrant Agent for payment or distribution to the
Holders that remains unclaimed for two years after the date the money,
securities or other property was deposited with the Warrant Agent shall be
delivered to the Company upon its written request therefor.

               Section 10.2. Payment of Taxes. The Company shall pay any stamp,
registration, and other similar taxes and other governmental charges that may be
imposed under the laws of the United States of America or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in respect of the issue or
delivery thereof or of other securities deliverable upon exercise of Warrants
(other than income taxes imposed on the Holders). The Company shall not be
required, however, to pay any tax or other charge imposed in connection with any
transfer involved in the issue of any Warrant Securities to any Person other
than the Holder of a Warrant Certificate surrendered upon the exercise of a
Warrant, and in case of such transfer or payment, the Warrant Agent and the
Company shall not be required to issue any Warrant Securities or pay any cash
until such tax or charge has been paid or it has been established to the Warrant
Agent's and the Company's satisfaction that no such tax or other charge is due.

               Section 10.3. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets of the
Company.

               (a) To the extent permitted in the Indenture, the Company may
consolidate with or merge into another corporation or other entity, or convey or
transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any other
corporation or other entity. In case of any such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer and upon any assumption of the duties and obligations of
the Company by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall
succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had
been named in this Agreement, and the Company shall be relieved of any further



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       18

obligation under this Agreement and the Warrants. Such successor corporation
thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the
name of the Company, any or all of the Warrant Securities issuable pursuant to
the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. All the Warrant Securities
so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under the
Indenture as the Warrant Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Indenture.

               (b) In case of any consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer
pursuant to Section 10.3(a), the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Warrant
Agent and each Holder of a Warrant, at the earliest practicable time (and, in
any event, not less than 20 calendar days before any date set for definitive
action), notice of the date on which such transaction shall take place. Such
notice shall also set forth such facts as shall indicate the effect of such
action (to the extent such effect may be known at the date of such notice) on
the holders of Notes and Warrants. Such notice shall also specify any date as of
which the holders of record of the Notes or Warrants shall be entitled to
exchange their securities for securities, money or other property deliverable
upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, as the case may be.

               Section 10.4. Reports to Holders. The Company shall:

               (a) file the reports (or copies of such portions of any of the
        foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and
        regulations prescribe) required to be filed by it under the Securities
        Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules, regulations and policies
        adopted by the Commission thereunder in a timely manner in accordance
        with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; or, if
        the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports
        pursuant to either of said Sections, then the Company will, upon the
        request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Warrants, make available
        such information as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A
        under the Securities Act; and

               (b) file with the Warrant Agent and the Commission, in accordance
        with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
        Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with
        respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants
        of this Agreement as may be required from time to time by such rules and
        regulations.

               Section 10.5. Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery,
registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any air courier (i) if to a
Holder of the Warrants, at the address of such Holder maintained by the Warrant
Agent, (ii) if to the Company, to CD Radio Inc., 1001 22nd Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20037, Attention: [       ], and (iii) if to the Warrant



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       19

Agent, to IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, One State Street, 11th Floor, New
York, New York 10004, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.

               All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; at the time
received, if mailed or sent by air courier; when answered back, if telexed; and
when receipt is acknowledged, by recipient's telecopy operator, if telecopied.

               Section 10.6. Severability. If any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

               Section 10.7. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Warrant Agent and their
respective successors and assigns, and the Holders from time to time of the
Warrants. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer
upon any Person, other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders of
the Warrants, any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or
any part hereof.

               Section 10.8. Third Party Beneficiaries. The Holders shall be
third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company,
on the one hand, and the Warrant Agent, on the other hand, and each Holder shall
have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such
enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
Holders hereunder.

               Section 10.9. Amendments. The Company may, without the consent of
the Holders of the Warrants, by supplemental agreement or otherwise, make any
changes or corrections in this Agreement that it shall have been advised by
counsel (a) are required to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
herein or (b) add to the covenants and agreements of the Company for the benefit
of the Holders, or surrender any rights or power reserved to or conferred upon
the Company in this Agreement; provided that, in each case, such changes or
corrections shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any
material respect. Amendments or supplements which do not meet the requirements
of the preceding sentence shall require the written consent of the Holders of a
majority of the then outstanding warrants; provided, however, that the consent
of each Holder is required for any amendment or supplement pursuant to which the
Exercise Price would be increased or the Exercise Rate would be decreased (other
than pursuant to adjustments as provided in Article IV of this Agreement). The
Warrant Agent shall join with the Company in the execution and delivery of any
such supplemental agreements unless it affects the Warrant Agent's own rights,
duties



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       20

or immunities hereunder, in which case the Warrant Agent may, but shall not be
required to, join in such execution and delivery.

               Section 10.10. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning of any provision hereof.

               Section 10.11.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
WARRANTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

               Section 10.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       21

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereto affixed
and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                            CD RADIO INC.



                                            By _______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:




                                            IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST
                                            COMPANY, Warrant Agent




                                            By _______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:

<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                       Exhibit A

                           FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

                                  CD RADIO INC.

                                                            CUSIP No. __________

No. _____                                      Certificate for ________ Warrants



                              WARRANTS TO PURCHASE
                   [ ]% SENIOR SECURED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007

               This certifies that _______________, or its registered assigns,
is the owner of the number of Warrants set forth above or such other number as
shall be represented from time to time by this Warrant Certificate in accordance
with the terms of the within-mentioned Warrant Agreement, each of which
represents the right to receive, immediately upon issuance of such Warrants,
from CD Radio Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, $[       ] principal
amount at maturity of Notes per Warrant upon surrender hereof at the office of
IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company or to its successor as the warrant agent under
the Warrant Agreement (any such warrant agent being herein called the "Warrant
Agent"), with the Subscription Form on the reverse hereof (or a copy thereof
furnished by the Warrant Agent) duly executed, with signature guaranteed as
therein specified, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the Warrant
Agreement.

               This Warrant Certificate is issued under and in accordance with a
Warrant Agreement dated as of [              ], 1997 (the "Warrant Agreement"),
between the Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, Warrant Agent, and is
subject to the terms and provisions contained therein, to all of which terms and
provisions the Holder of this Warrant Certificate consents by acceptance hereof.
The Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof. Reference is hereby made to the Warrant Agreement for a full description
of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities
thereunder of the Company and the Holders of the Warrants. The summary of the
terms of the Warrant Agreement contained in this Warrant Certificate is
qualified in its entirety by express reference to the Warrant Agreement. All
terms used in this Warrant Certificate that are defined in the Warrant Agreement
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Warrant Agreement.

               Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of the
Warrant Agent and may be obtained by writing to the Warrant Agent at the
following address:

                        IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-2

                      One State Street
                      11th Floor
                      New York, New York 10004
                      Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

               To the extent permitted in the Indenture, the Company may
consolidate with or merge into another corporation or other entity, or convey or
transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any other
corporation or other entity. In case of any such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer and upon any assumption of the duties and obligations of
the Company by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall
succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had
been named in the Warrant Agreement, and the Company shall be relieved of any
further obligation under the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. Such successor
corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own
name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Warrant Securities
issuable pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. All
the Warrant Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank
and benefit under the Indenture as the Warrant Securities theretofore or
thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the
Indenture.

               All Warrant Securities shall be duly executed, issued and
delivered by the Company and the Company shall pay all stamp, registration or
other similar taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed under the
laws of the United States of America or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein in respect of the issue or delivery of such Warrant
Securities. The Company shall not be required, however, to pay any tax or other
charge imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue of any
Warrant Securities to any Person other than the Holder of a Warrant Certificate
surrendered upon the exercise or repurchase of a Warrant, and in case of such
transfer or payment, the Warrant Agent and the Company may deduct such taxes
from any payment of money to be made and shall not be required to issue any
Warrant Securities until such tax or charge has been paid or it has been
established to the Warrant Agent's and the Company's satisfaction that no such
tax or other charge is due.

               Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Article V of
the Warrant Agreement, this Warrant Certificate and all rights hereunder are
transferable by the registered Holder hereof, in whole or in part, on the
Warrant Register of the Company maintained by the Warrant Agent for such purpose
at its office in New York, New York, upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate
duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent duly executed, with signatures
guaranteed as specified in the attached Form of Assignment, by the registered
Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing and upon payment of any
necessary transfer tax or other governmental charge imposed upon such transfer.
Upon any partial transfer, the Company will issue and the Warrant Agent will
countersign and deliver



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-3

to such Holder a new Warrant Certificate or Certificates with respect to any
portion not so transferred. Each taker and Holder of this Warrant Certificate,
by taking and holding the same, consents and agrees that prior to the
registration of transfer as provided in the Warrant Agreement, the Company and
the Warrant Agent and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent may treat
the person in whose name the Warrants are registered as the absolute owner
hereof for any purpose and as the Person entitled to exercise the rights
represented hereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding.

               This Warrant Certificate may be exchanged at the office of the
Warrant Agent maintained for such purpose in New York, New York for Warrant
Certificates representing the same aggregate number of Warrants, each new
Warrant Certificate to represent such number of Warrants as the Holder hereof
shall designate at the time of such exchange.

               Prior to the exercise of the Warrants represented hereby, the
Holder of this Warrant Certificate, as such, shall not be entitled to any rights
of a holder of Notes.

               This Warrant Certificate shall be void and all rights evidenced
hereby shall cease on [               ], 1997 unless sooner terminated by the
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or as otherwise provided
in the Warrant Agreement upon the consolidation or merger of the Company with,
or sale of the Company to, another Person.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-4

               This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose until
it shall have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

Dated:

                                            CD RADIO INC.




                                            By _______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:


Countersigned:

IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,
  Warrant Agent



By __________________________________
    Authorized Signatory



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-5

                     FORM OF REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

                                SUBSCRIPTION FORM

                 (To be executed only upon exercise of Warrant)

To:

               The undersigned irrevocably exercises ____________ of the
Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificate, each for the purchase of
$[          ] principal amount at maturity of [     ]% Senior Secured Discount
Notes due 2007 of CD Radio Inc. (the "Warrant Securities"), and on the terms and
conditions specified in the within Warrant Certificate and the Warrant Agreement
therein referred to, surrenders this Warrant Certificate and all right, title
and interest therein to and directs that the Warrant Securities deliverable upon
the exercise of such Warrants be registered or placed in the name and at the
address specified below and delivered thereto.

Dated: ____________________________                                          (1)
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            (Signature of Owner)


                                            -----------------------------------
                                            (Street Address)


                                            -----------------------------------
                                            (City)       (State)      (Zip Code)

  
                                            Signature Guaranteed By:


                                            -----------------------------------


Securities and/or check to be issued to: _______________________________________

Please insert social security or identifying number:____________________________

- --------
(1)  The signature must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the
     within Warrant Certificate in every particular, without alteration or
     enlargement or any change whatever, and must be guaranteed by a United
     States national bank or trust company or by a member firm of any United
     States national securities exchange.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-6

Name:___________________________________________________________________________


Street Address:_________________________________________________________________


City, State and Zip Code:_______________________________________________________



<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       A-7

                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

               FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder of the
within Warrant Certificate hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto the
Assignee(s) named below (including the undersigned with respect to any Warrants
constituting a part of the Warrants evidenced by the within Warrant Certificate
not being assigned hereby) all of the right of the undersigned under the within
Warrant Certificate, with respect to the number of Warrants set forth below:


Name(s) of Assignee(s):_________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________

No. of Warrants:_________________________

Please insert social security or other identifying number of assignee(s):

_______________
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________________________
the undersigned's attorney to make such transfer on the books of________________
maintained for the purposes, with full power of substitution in the premises.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                    Exhibit B to
                                                               Warrant Agreement

                       FORM OF LEGEND FOR GLOBAL WARRANTS

Any Global Warrant authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in
substantially the following form:

THIS WARRANT IS A GLOBAL WARRANT WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. THIS WARRANT IS NOT
EXCHANGEABLE FOR WARRANTS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
WARRANT AGREEMENT, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS WARRANT (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS WARRANT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN
THE WARRANT AGREEMENT.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.



<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                                                    Exhibit C to
                                                               Warrant Agreement


              FORM OF LEGEND FOR WARRANTS ISSUED AS PART OF A UNIT

THE WARRANT EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS INITIALLY ISSUED AS PART OF AN
ISSUANCE OF UNITS, EACH OF WHICH CONSISTS OF $[       ] PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
AT MATURITY OF [ ]% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007 OF CD RADIO INC.
(THE "NOTES") AND ONE WARRANT. PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS UPON THE
EARLIEST TO OCCUR OF (I) THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EXERCISE EVENT, (II)
THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT, OR (III) SUCH EARLIER DATE AS DETERMINED
BY MERRILL LYNCH IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN
THE WARRANT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN), THE WARRANT EVIDENCED BY THIS
CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR EXCHANGED SEPARATELY FROM, BUT MAY BE
TRANSFERRED OR EXCHANGED ONLY TOGETHER WITH, THE NOTES.









<PAGE>




<PAGE>



                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                          Dated as of November __, 1997


                                      from


                                 CD RADIO INC.,

                                   as Pledgor


                                       to

                              IBJ SCHRODER BANK AND
                                 TRUST COMPANY,

                               as Collateral Agent


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                    Page
                                                                    ----

      1. Grant of Security Interest.................................  1

      2. Security for Obligations...................................  2

      3. Delivery of Pledged Collateral.............................  3

      4. Representations and Warranties.............................  3

      5. As to the Pledged Collateral...............................  5

      6. Additional Shares..........................................  6

      7. Payment of Taxes and Claims................................  7

      8. Covenants and Agreements...................................  7

      9. The Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact............  9

     10. The Collateral Agent May Perform...........................  9

     11. The Collateral Agent's Duties.............................. 10

     12. Events of Default.......................................... 10

     13. Notice of Event of Default................................. 11

     14. Remedies................................................... 11

     15. Expenses................................................... 12

     16. Repayment in Bankruptcy, etc............................... 12

     17. No Segregation of Moneys; No Interest...................... 13

     18. Continuing Security Interest; Termination.................. 13

     19. Notices.................................................... 13

     20. Other Provisions........................................... 13


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

                  PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of November __,
1997, made by CD Radio Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor"), to IBJ
Schroder Bank and Trust Company, Trustee, as collateral agent (the "Collateral
Agent") for the holders (the "Holders") from time to time of the Notes (as
defined herein).

                                    RECITALS

                  A. The Pledgor and IBJ Schroder Bank and Trust Company, as
Trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee"), have entered into that certain
indenture dated the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Indenture"; capitalized terms used herein
without definition are used herein as defined in the Indenture), pursuant to
which the Pledgor may issue up to $296,930,000 aggregate principal amount at
maturity of its 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Notes").

                  B. The Pledgor is the owner of the issued and outstanding
capital stock described in Schedule I hereto (the "Pledged Shares") representing
100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Satellite CD Radio, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Subsidiary").

                  C. The Pledgor has agreed to grant to the Collateral Agent the
assignment and security interest and make the pledge and assignment contemplated
by this Agreement.

                  In consideration of the premises, the agreements herein
contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the Holders to purchase
the Notes, the Pledgor hereby covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent for
its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the Holders.

         1.       Grant of Security Interest.

                  (a) The Pledgor hereby unconditionally assigns, pledges and
grants to the Collateral Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the
Holders, a first priority security interest in and to all of the Pledgor's
right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or existing
or hereafter arising or acquired and wheresoever located (collectively, the
"Pledged Collateral"):

                  (i) the Pledged Shares and the certificates representing the
         Pledged Shares, and all dividends, cash, instruments and other property
         from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
         respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Pledged Shares;


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        2

                  (ii) all additional shares of issued and outstanding shares,
         interests, participations, warrants or other equivalents (however
         designated) of corporate stock ("Stock") of the Subsidiary from time to
         time acquired by the Pledgor in any manner, and the certificates
         representing such additional shares, and all dividends, cash,
         instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable
         or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of
         such shares; and

                  (iii) all Proceeds (as defined herein) of any and all of the
         foregoing Pledged Collateral (including, without limitation, proceeds
         that constitute property of the types described in clauses (i) and (ii)
         above).

                  (b) As used herein, the term "Proceeds" shall have the meaning
assigned to such term under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code from time
to time in effect in the State of New York (the "UCC"; provided that in the
event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the
attachment, perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent's security interest
in any Pledged Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term "UCC" shall
mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for
purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or
priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions) and, to the
extent not otherwise included, shall include, but not be limited to, (i) any
stock dividend or distribution in connection with any increase or reduction of
capital, reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale of assets, combination of
shares, stock split, spin-off or split-off; (ii) any option or other right,
whether as an addition to, in substitution of or in exchange for any Pledged
Shares or otherwise; (iii) distributions payable in property (whether real,
personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed property; collectively "Property") ;
(iv) dividends or distributions on dissolution, or in partial or total
liquidation, or from capital, capital surplus or paid-in surplus; (v) any and
all payments (in any form whatsoever) made or due and payable to the Pledgor
from time to time in connection with any requisition, confiscation,
condemnation, seizure or forfeiture of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral
by any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof,
any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any court or
arbitrator (a "Governmental Body"); and (vi) any and all other amounts from time
to time paid or payable under or in connection with the Pledged Collateral.

         2.       Security for Obligations.

                  This Agreement secures the payment of all of the obligations
and liabilities of any kind of the Pledger under this Agreement, the Indenture
or the Notes, whether liquidated, unliquidated, direct, indirect, fixed,
contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured
or unsecured, and whether for principal, interest, fees, costs, expenses or
otherwise (whether arising or accruing before or after the occurrence of any
Event of Default (as defined herein) and whether discharged, stayed or otherwise
affected or allowed as a claim in any bankruptcy proceeding of the Subsidiary),
and all costs,


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        3

fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Holders (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and with respect to the Collateral
Agent, reasonable allocated costs and expenses of in-house counsel and legal
staff) in enforcing, preserving and protecting its rights against the Pledgor,
whether or not suit is instituted (as the foregoing obligations and liabilities
may be amended, increased, modified, renewed, refinanced, refunded or extended
from time to time) (collectively, the "Secured Obligations"), now or hereafter
existing, whether for principal, interest, fees, costs, expenses or otherwise.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement secures the
payment of all amounts that constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would
be owed by the Pledgor to the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Holders under
this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes but for the fact that they are
unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy,
reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Pledgor.

         3.       Delivery of Pledged Collateral.

                  (a) All certificates and other instruments at any time owned
or acquired by the Pledgor representing or evidencing the Pledged Shares shall
be delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto
and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied
by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and
substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default (as defined herein), the Collateral Agent
shall have the right, upon written instructions from the Trustee and without
notice to the Pledgor, to transfer to or to register in the name of the
Collateral Agent or any of its nominees any or all of the Pledged Collateral. In
addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates
or instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or
instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

                  (b) If there shall occur a change in applicable law or
regulations regarding (i) the steps necessary to obtain and maintain a perfected
security interest in any Pledged Collateral or (ii) the ability to obtain a
security interest directly in any license granted by the Federal Communications
Commission or Governmental Body succeeding to the functions thereof (the "FCC"),
or if there is Pledged Collateral for which the foregoing procedures are not
effective to perfect a security interest, the Pledgor will immediately upon its
becoming aware thereof so notify the Collateral Agent and will deliver to the
Collateral Agent an Opinion of Counsel setting forth the steps necessary for the
Collateral Agent to obtain and maintain such a perfected security interest in
the Pledged Collateral affected by such change or for which the foregoing
procedures are not effective to perfect a security interest, and the Collateral
Agent, instead of the actions specified in this Section 3, shall take such other
action, as specified in such Opinion of Counsel, as will create and maintain
such perfected security interest.

                  (c) Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Pledgor will file proper financing statements with the appropriate office or
offices under the Uniform


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        4

Commercial Code in the State of New York, covering the Pledged Collateral
described in this Agreement and, thereafter, such renewals, amendments or
continuations thereof or such additional financing statements in such additional
offices in such jurisdictions or in the appropriate filing offices in such
additional jurisdictions as shall be required from time to time under the UCC in
order to perfect and to continue the perfection of the security interest in the
Pledged Collateral.

         4.       Representations and Warranties.

                  The Pledgor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral
Agent as follows:

                  (a) Organization; Good Standing. The Pledgor is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and is duly qualified and in good standing in every other jurisdiction
where it is doing business, except where the failure to be so qualified or
maintain good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined
herein). The chief place of business and chief executive office of the Pledgor
are located at 1001 22nd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.

                  (b) Corporate Power; Authorization. The execution, delivery
and performance by the Pledgor of this Agreement, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (i) are within the Pledgor's corporate
authority; (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary or proper corporate
action; (iii) are not in contravention of any provision of the Pledgor's by-laws
or charter; (iv) will not violate any law or regulation, or any order or decree
of any court or governmental instrumentality to which the Pledgor or its
property is subject; and (v) will not conflict with or result in the breach or
termination of, constitute a default under, or accelerate any performance
required by, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, agreement or other
instrument to which the Pledgor is a party or by which the Pledgor or any of its
property is bound (except for such conflict, breach, termination, default or
acceleration as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect). Subject to Section 21(f) hereof, no authorization, approval or action
by, or notice to, or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
is required under existing laws and regulations on the date hereof (i) for the
grant or perfection of the security interests contemplated hereby or for the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company, except as
may be set forth in Section 3 with respect to actions to be taken by the
Collateral Agent, the Trustee or a financial intermediary holding Pledged
Collateral and except for the filings referred to in Section 3(b) that may be
required in the future, or (ii) for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the
voting or other rights provided for this Agreement or its rights and remedies in
respect of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except (A) as may
be required in connection with the disposition of Pledged Collateral by laws
affecting the offering and sale of securities, generally, and (B) with respect
to Pledged Shares, for authorizations, approvals, notices and filings that may
be required pursuant to regulations of the FCC (as defined herein), or any
successor laws or regulations.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        5

                  (c) Enforceability. This Agreement is the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Pledgor enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or similar law affecting creditors' rights or insolvent corporations generally,
and except to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance
or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  (d) Absence of Liens. It is the legal and beneficial owner of
the Pledged Collateral free and clear of all Liens other than the security
interest created by this Agreement. No effective financing statement or other
instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on
file in any recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of the
Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

                  (e) Pledged Collateral. The Pledged Shares have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. The Pledged
Shares represent one hundred percent (100%) of the total number of shares of the
Subsidiary which are issued and outstanding or for which the Subsidiary is
obligated to issue after giving effect to the issuance of all such shares.

                  (f) Security Interest. This Agreement and the pledge of the
Pledged Collateral pursuant hereto create a valid and perfected first priority
security interest in the Pledged Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent,
securing the payment of all of the Secured Obligations, and all filings and
other actions necessary or desirable as may be required by the Trustee or the
Holders to perfect and protect such security interest have been duly taken.

         5.       As to the Pledged Collateral.

                  (a) So long as no event or circumstance which constitutes a
Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

                        (i) The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and
         all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged
         Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with
         the terms of this Agreement or the Indenture; provided, however, that
         the Pledgor shall not exercise or refrain from exercising any such
         right without the consent of the Collateral Agent if, in the Collateral
         Agent's judgment, such action or inaction would have a Material Adverse
         Effect (as defined herein) on the fair market value of any of the
         Pledged Collateral including, without limitation, the validity,
         priority or perfection of the security interests granted hereby or the
         remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

                        (ii) Any and all dividends and other distributions
         (whether or not in cash) paid or payable, and certificates, instruments
         and other Property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
         respect of, or in exchange for, Pledged


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        6

         Collateral, shall be, and shall be forthwith delivered to the
         Collateral Agent to be held as Pledged Collateral and shall, if
         received by the Pledgor, be received in trust for the benefit of the
         Trustee and the Holders, be segregated from the other Property of the
         Pledgor, and be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent, as Pledged
         Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary
         endorsement). Any cash dividends or distributions delivered to or
         otherwise held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 5, and
         any other cash constituting Pledged Collateral delivered to the
         Collateral Agent, shall be invested, at the written direction of the
         Pledgor by the Collateral Agent in Cash Equivalents.

                        (iii) The Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver (or
         cause to be executed and delivered) to the Pledgor all such proxies and
         other instruments as the Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose
         of enabling the Pledgor to exercise the voting and other rights which
         it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subsection (i) or (ii) above.

                  (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Default (except as provided below), at the Collateral Agent's option and
following written notice by the Collateral Agent to the Pledgor:

                        (i) all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and
         other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to
         exercise pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall cease, provided, however,
         that the Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise such rights without the
         prior consent of the Collateral Agent if such rights are to be
         exercised to vote in favor of a transaction which is reasonably
         expected to cure the Default, not result in another Default and not
         result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as provided in the prior
         sentence, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
         of Default, all such voting and other consensual rights shall thereupon
         become vested in the Collateral Agent, who shall thereupon have the
         sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights, subject
         to the satisfaction of any regulatory requirements. Effective upon the
         occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the
         Pledgor hereby appoints the Collateral Agent the Pledgor's true and
         lawful attorney-in-fact and grants to the Collateral Agent an
         IRREVOCABLE PROXY to vote the Pledged Collateral in any manner the
         Collateral Agent deems advisable for or against all matters submitted
         or which may be submitted to a vote of shareholders. The
         power-of-attorney granted hereby is coupled with an interest and shall
         be irrevocable; and

                        (ii) the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii) shall continue
         in full force and effect, except that no dividends or distributions may
         be paid to the Pledgor.

                  As used in this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse Effect"
shall mean an effect resulting from any circumstance or event of whatever nature
(including any adverse determination in any litigation) which does, or could
reasonably be expected to, materially and adversely (a) impair the validity or
enforceability of any of the Indenture or the Notes or the Collateral Agent's,
the Trustee's or any Holder's rights or remedies with respect thereto;


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        7

(b) cause a Default; (c) affect the business, property, business prospects,
operations, or financial or other condition of the Subsidiary or Pledgor; or (d)
impair or affect the Pledged Collateral or the Collateral Agent's Liens on the
Pledged Collateral or the priority of such Liens.

                  (c) In the event that all or any part of the securities or
instruments constituting the Pledged Collateral are lost, mutilated, destroyed
or wrongfully taken while such securities or instruments are in the possession
of the Collateral Agent, the Pledgor agrees that it will cause the delivery of
new securities or instruments in place of the lost, mutilated, destroyed or
wrongfully taken securities or instruments upon request therefor by the
Collateral Agent without the necessity of any indemnity bond or other security
other than the Collateral Agent's agreement or indemnity therefor customary for
security agreements similar to this Agreement.

         6.       Additional Shares.

                  (a) The Pledgor agrees that it will cause the Subsidiary not
to issue any Stock of any kind.

                  (b) Without derogating from paragraph (a) of this Section 6,
in the event that, during the term of this Agreement:

                        (i) any stock dividend, stock split, reclassification,
         readjustment, or other change is declared or made in the capital
         structure of the Subsidiary, all new, substituted, and additional
         shares, or other securities, issued by reason of any such change and
         received by the Pledgor (directly or indirectly) or to which the
         Pledgor shall be entitled shall be promptly delivered or otherwise
         transferred to the Collateral Agent, together with undated stock powers
         endorsed in blank by the Pledgor, and shall thereupon constitute
         additional Pledged Collateral to be held by the Collateral Agent under
         the terms of this Agreement; and

                        (ii) any subscriptions, warrants or any other rights or
         options shall be issued in connection with the Pledged Shares, all new
         stock or other securities acquired through such subscriptions,
         warrants, rights or options, and all additional shares of capital stock
         of the Subsidiary or any successor in interest thereto from time to
         time acquired by the Pledgor (directly or indirectly) in any manner
         whatsoever (including, without limitation, any shares of preferred
         stock issued by the Subsidiary) together with appropriate powers by the
         Pledgor, shall be promptly delivered or otherwise transferred to the
         Collateral Agent and shall thereupon constitute Pledged Collateral to
         be held by the Collateral Agent under the terms of this Agreement.

         7.       Payment of Taxes and Claims.

                  The Pledgor shall make payment of (i) all taxes, assessments,
license fees, levies and other charges of Governmental Bodies imposed upon it
which if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
or become a Lien on the Property


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        8

of the Pledgor, unless and to the extent only that such taxes, assessments,
charges, license fees, levies and other charges shall be contested in good faith
and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted by the Pledgor and the
Collateral Agent has received prompt notice of such contest, (ii) all taxes,
assessments, license fees, levies and other charges of Governmental Bodies on
any of the Pledged Collateral before any penalty or interest accrues thereon,
unless and to the extent only that such taxes, assessments, charges, license
fees, levies and other charges shall be contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings diligently conducted by the Pledgor and the Collateral
Agent has received prompt notice of such contest, before any penalty or interest
accrues thereon, and (iii) all claims (including, without limitation, claims for
labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums materially adversely affecting
the Pledged Collateral, which have become due and payable and which by law have
or may become a Lien upon any of the Pledged Collateral prior to the time when
any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto, unless and to the
extent such claim is being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted by the Pledgor, the Collateral Agent has
received prompt notice of such contest, any proceeding to place a lien on the
Pledged Collateral or to enforce a lien on the Pledged Collateral has been
stayed and such contest is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         8.       Covenants and Agreements.

                  The Pledgor covenants and agrees that on and after the date
hereof until the Payment in full of the Secured Obligations and the termination
and discharge of the Indenture, unless the Collateral Agent shall otherwise
consent in writing:

                  (a) At any time and from time to time, upon the reasonable
request of the Collateral Agent, and at the sole expense of the Pledgor, the
Pledgor shall promptly do, file, record, execute and deliver any and all such
further notices, instruments and documents and will take such further action as
may be reasonably deemed necessary or desirable in the judgment of the
Collateral Agent and its counsel to obtain, protect and perfect the security
interests granted hereby and enforce and give effect to the rights, remedies and
powers hereunder, including, without limitation, and the recording or filing of
all instruments and documents reasonably necessary to perfect and protect the
perfection of the security interests granted hereby under Articles 8 or 9 of the
Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable jurisdiction. In connection
therewith, the Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered
as the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, solely to make, at the Collateral Agent's
option, all filings and to give all other notices as it shall reasonably deem
necessary with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral, all of which may be
done with or without the signature of the Pledgor. The Pledgor agrees that the
foregoing power constitutes a power coupled with an interest which shall survive
until the Payment in full of all of the Secured Obligations. The Pledgor agrees
to reimburse the Collateral Agent on demand for any actual and reasonable
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses with respect to the
Collateral Agent, including reasonable allocated costs and expenses of in-house
counsel and legal staff) incurred by the Collateral Agent in connection with
such matters and, until such reimbursement, such expenses shall be a part of the
Secured Obligations.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                        9

                  (b) The Pledgor shall defend its ownership interest in and to
the Collateral and the Collateral Agent's security interest in and to the
Pledged Collateral against all claims and demands of all Persons at any time
claiming the same or any interest therein adverse to the interests of the
Collateral Agent.

                  (c) The Pledgor shall, at all times, maintain or cause to be
maintained accurate books and records with respect to the Pledged Collateral,
and shall furnish to the Collateral Agent such information concerning such
Pledged Collateral as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably
request. The Collateral Agent and its designees are hereby given the right, at
the Pledgor's expense, to inspect and copy, following prior notice to the
Pledgor and during regular business hours, or the Pledgor shall furnish the
Collateral Agent with copies of, all records and documents reasonably required
by the Collateral Agent relating to the Pledged Collateral.

                  (d) The Pledgor shall not further hypothecate, assign, pledge,
encumber, transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with
respect to, or create or suffer to exist a security interest in, or a Lien on,
the Pledged Collateral or any portion thereof, except for the pledge, assignment
and security interest created by this Agreement in favor of the Collateral Agent
and except as contemplated by Article 12 of the Indenture. The inclusion of
"Proceeds" of the Pledged Collateral under the security interest granted herein
shall not be deemed a consent by the Collateral Agent to any sale or other
disposition of any Pledged Collateral except as expressly permitted herein.

                  (e) The Pledgor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent of
any change occurring in or to the Pledged Collateral, of a change in the
Pledgor's mailing address, of any material change in any fact or circumstance
warranted or represented by the Pledgor in this Agreement or furnished to the
Collateral Agent, or if any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall occur.

                  (f) The Pledgor shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Collateral Agent, sign or file or authorize the signing or filing of any
document, financing statement or instrument creating or perfecting, or
purporting to create or perfect, any Lien or other encumbrance on all or any
part of its Pledged Collateral except in favor of the Collateral Agent as
required hereby and except as contemplated in Article 12 of the Indenture.

                  (g) The security interest granted hereby constitutes and shall
at all times constitute a perfected continuing first priority security interest
in the Pledged Collateral.

         9.       The Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.

                  Effective upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, the Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent
its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor
and in the name of the Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time in the Collateral
Agent's discretion, to take any action and to


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       10

execute any instrument which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without
limitation:

                  (a) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise,
         receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become
         due under or in respect of any of the Pledged Collateral and/or extend
         the time of payment, arrange for payment in installments, or otherwise
         modify the terms of, or release, any Pledged Collateral or obligations,
         without otherwise discharging or affecting the Secured Obligations, the
         Pledged Collateral or the security interests granted by this Agreement,

                  (b) to file any claims or take any action or institute any
         proceedings which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable
         for the collection of any of the Pledged Collateral or otherwise to
         enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the
         Pledged Collateral, and

                  (c) to receive, indorse and collect any drafts or other
         instruments and documents made payable to the Pledgor in connection
         with clause (a) above or representing any dividend or other
         distribution in respect of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof
         and to give full discharge for the same.

The power-of-attorney granted hereby is coupled with an interest and shall be
irrevocable.

         10.      The Collateral Agent May Perform.

                  If the Pledgor fails to perform any agreement contained herein
or make payment of any amount required hereunder, the Collateral Agent may
itself perform, or cause performance of, or provide payment for the performance
thereof, and the reasonable expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in
connection therewith shall be payable by the Pledgor under Section 15 of this
Agreement and any such payment made shall be deemed an advance by the Collateral
Agent to the Pledgor, payable on demand together with interest at the interest
rate then payable under the Indenture.

         11.      The Collateral Agent's Duties.

                  The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are
solely to protect its interest in the Pledged Collateral and shall not impose
any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody of any
Pledged Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually
received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any
Pledged Collateral, including the filing of any financing or continuation
statements relating to the Pledged Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be
deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the
Pledged Collateral in its possession if the Pledged Collateral is accorded
treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own
Property, it being understood that the Collateral Agent shall not be under any
obligation to (a) ascertain or take action with respect to calls, conversions,
exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Pledged


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       11

Collateral, whether or not the Collateral Agent has or is deemed to have
knowledge of such matters, or (b) take any necessary steps to preserve rights
against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Pledged Collateral,
but may do so at its option, and all reasonable expenses incurred in connection
therewith shall be for the sole account of the Pledgor, and shall be added to
the Secured Obligations.

         12.      Events of Default.

                  If any of the following events shall occur, then an "Event of
Default" has occurred hereunder:

                  (a) If the Pledgor fails to fully and punctually pay, perform
or observe any debt, obligation or liability of the Pledgor under this Agreement
or the Indenture; or

                  (b) If any representation or warranty made herein or the
Indenture or in any certificate, report or other document furnished by the
Pledgor in connection with this Agreement or the Indenture shall prove to have
been false in any material respect upon the date when made or deemed to have
been made or repeated; or

                  (c) If the Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any term,
covenant or agreement contained in Sections 8(a), 8(d) or 8(f) of this
Agreement; or

                  (d) If the Pledgor shall fail to perform or observe any other
term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to
this Agreement and such failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of
thirty (30) days after the Pledgor shall become aware of such failure; or

                  (e) The occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default
under and as defined in the Indenture.

         13.      Notice of Event of Default.

                  The Pledgor agrees to notify the Collateral Agent of the
occurrence of an Event of Default promptly upon its obtaining knowledge thereof.

         14.      Remedies.

                  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, the Collateral Agent may upon written instructions from the Trustee,
subject to regulatory requirements, exercise any and all remedies and other
rights provided under this Agreement and by applicable law, including, without
limitation, the following:

                  (a) The Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the
Pledged Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein
or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party
upon default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected
Pledged Collateral) and also may without notice, except as


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       12

specified below, sell, lease, assign, grant an option or options to purchase or
otherwise dispose of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof in one or more
parcels at public or private sale, at any exchange, broker's board or at any of
the Collateral Agent's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future
delivery, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem
commercially reasonable. The Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale
shall be required by law, at least ten days' notice to the Pledgor of the time
and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be
made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be
obligated to make any sale of Pledged Collateral regardless of notice of sale
having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale
from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such
sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was
so adjourned.

                  (b) Any cash held by the Collateral Agent as Pledged
Collateral and all cash proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of
any sale of, collection from or other realization upon all or any part of the
Pledged Collateral may, in the discretion of the Collateral Agent, be held by
the Collateral Agent as Pledged Collateral for, and then or at any time
thereafter applied (after the payment of any amounts payable to the Collateral
Agent pursuant to Section 15 hereof) in whole or in part by the Collateral Agent
for the ratable benefit of the Holders against all or any part of the Secured
Obligations. Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by the Collateral
Agent and remaining after payment of all of the Secured Obligations shall be
paid over to the Pledgor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive
such surplus.

                  (c) The Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral
Agent may elect, with respect to the offer or sale of any or all of the Pledged
Collateral, to conduct such offer and sale in such a manner as to avoid the need
for registration or qualification of the Pledged Collateral or the offer and
sale thereof under any federal or state securities laws and that the Collateral
Agent is authorized to comply with any limitation or restriction in connection
with such sale as counsel may advise the Collateral Agent is necessary in order
to avoid any violation of applicable law, including, without limitation,
compliance with such procedures as may restrict the number of prospective
bidders and purchasers, require that such prospective bidders and purchasers
have certain qualifications, and restrict such prospective bidders and
purchasers to Persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing for
their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or
resale of such Pledged Collateral, or in order to obtain any required approval
of the sale or of the purchaser by any Governmental Body. The Pledgor further
acknowledges and agrees that any such transaction may be at prices and on terms
less favorable than those which may be obtained through a public sale and not
subject to such restrictions and agrees that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Collateral Agent is under no obligation to conduct any such public sale and may
elect to impose any or all of the foregoing restrictions, or any other
restrictions which may be necessary or desirable in order to avoid any such
registration or qualification, at its sole discretion or with the consent or
direction of the parties entitled to give direction pursuant to the
Intercreditor Agreement, and that any such offer and sale shall, taking into
account the possible restrictions on such offer and sale described in this
subsection (c), be conducted in a commercially reasonable manner.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       13

                  (d) The Pledgor hereby expressly waives and covenants not to
assert any appraisement, valuation, extension, redemption or similar laws, now
or at any time hereafter in force, which might delay, prevent or otherwise
impede the performance or enforcement of this Agreement.

         15.      Expenses.

                  The Pledgor will upon demand make payment to the Collateral
Agent of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket sums, costs and expenses, which
the Collateral Agent may pay or incur pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement or in perfecting, defending, protecting or enforcing this Agreement or
the security interests granted herein or in enforcing Payment of all of the
Secured Obligations or otherwise in connection with the provisions hereof,
including, but not limited to court costs, reasonable collection charges,
reasonable travel expenses, and reasonable attorneys' fees (including with
respect to the Collateral Agent, the reasonable allocated costs and expenses of
in-house counsel and legal staff) all of which together with interest at the
highest rate then payable under the Indenture, shall be part of the Secured
Obligations.

         16.      Repayment in Bankruptcy, etc.

                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, if, at any time or times subsequent to the payment of all or any part
of the Secured Obligations, the Collateral Agent shall be required to repay any
amounts previously paid by or on behalf of the Subsidiary or the Pledgor in
reduction thereof by virtue of an order of any court having jurisdiction
thereof, including, without limitation, as a result of an adjudication that such
amounts constituted preferential payments or fraudulent conveyances, the Pledgor
unconditionally agrees to make payment to the Collateral Agent within 10 days
after demand of the amount of such repayment, together with interest on such
amount from the date of such repayment by the Collateral Agent to the date of
payment to the Collateral Agent at the default interest rate set forth in the
Indenture.

         17.      No Segregation of Moneys; No Interest.

                  No moneys or any other property received by the Collateral
Agent hereunder need be segregated in any manner except to the extent required
by law, and any such moneys or other Property may be deposited under such
general conditions as may be prescribed by law applicable to the Collateral
Agent, and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any interest thereon.

         18.      Continuing Security Interest; Termination.

                  (a) This Agreement shall create a continuing perfected first
security interest in the Pledged Collateral and shall (i) remain in full force
and effect until the payment in full of all of the Secured Obligations, (ii) be
binding upon the Pledgor, its successors and assigns and (iii) inure, together
with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       14

the benefit of the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders and their
respective successors, transferees and assigns.

                  (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
18, upon (a) satisfaction by the Trustee of the conditions set forth in Article
Four of the Indenture, upon the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, (b)
the payment in full of all Secured Obligations or (c) the defeasance of the
Notes and the Indenture as provided in Section 1302 of the Indenture, the
security interests created under this Agreement shall terminate and the
Collateral Agent shall, at the request and expense of the Pledgor, cause to be
assigned, transferred and delivered, against receipt but without recourse,
warranty or representation whatsoever, any remaining Pledged Collateral, to or
on the order of the Pledgor, and shall execute and deliver to the Pledgor an
instrument or instruments acknowledging the release of such Pledged Collateral
from the Lien of this Agreement.

         19.      Notices.

                  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder
shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telecopy, telex or cable
communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed, cabled or delivered
to it, if to the Pledgor, addressed to it at CD Radio Inc., Sixth Floor, 1001
22nd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, Attention: Chief Executive Officer,
if to the Collateral Agent, at the address of the Trustee specified in the
Indenture, or as to any party at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to each other party. All such notices and other
communications shall, when mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or cabled,
be effective when deposited in the mails, delivered to the telegraph company,
transmitted by telecopier, confirmed by telex answerback or delivered to the
cable company, respectively.

         20.      Margin Regulations.

                  The Pledgor shall take such steps as may be necessary so that
it shall comply with Regulations G, U and X (in so far as Regulation X applies
to Regulations G and U) promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, in each case as in effect from time to time and to the extent
such Regulations are at the time applicable to the Notes issued by the Pledgor.

         21.      Other Provisions.

                  (a) Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the
Pledgor hereby waives presentment, demand for payment, notice of default,
nonperformance and dishonor, protest and notice of protest of or in respect of
this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes or the Secured Obligations, notice of
acceptance of this Agreement and reliance hereupon by the Collateral Agent and
notice of any sale of collateral security or any default of any sort.

                  (b) The Pledgor waives all errors or omissions of the
Collateral Agent in connection with the administration of Security Interest
created hereby and the Pledged


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       15

Collateral, except errors or omissions which constitute gross negligence or
willful misconduct.

                  (c) The Pledgor agrees that the Collateral Agent, the Trustee
or the Holders may at any time, without notice to or consent of the Pledgor, and
without in any manner affecting the liability of the Pledgor hereunder, amend,
modify or waive any term or condition of the Indenture, the Notes, the
Intercreditor Agreement and any of the other Secured Obligations and any
collateral security therefor and otherwise deal with Pledgor as if this
Agreement did not exist.

                  (d) The Pledgor is not relying upon the Collateral Agent to
provide to the Pledgor any information concerning the Subsidiary, including,
without limitation, information which might have a Material Adverse Effect, and
the Pledgor has made arrangements satisfactory to the Pledgor to obtain from the
Subsidiary on a continuing basis such information concerning the Subsidiary as
the Pledgor may desire.

                  (e) In addition to all other rights it may have at law or
otherwise, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, the Collateral Agent, is hereby authorized at any time and from time to
time, without notice, to set-off against any and all obligations which the
Collateral Agent may owe to the Subsidiary or the Pledgor, of any kind or
nature, and the Pledgor shall continue to be liable to the Collateral Agent for
any deficiency with interest at the applicable interest rate forth in the
Indenture or the Notes.

                  (f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
Indenture or in any other agreement, instrument or document executed by the
Pledgor and delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent will not
take any action pursuant to any document referred to above which would
constitute or result in any assignment of any FCC license or any change of
control (whether de jure or de facto) of the Pledgor or the Subsidiary if such
assignment of any FCC license or change of control would require, under then
existing law, the prior approval of the FCC without first obtaining such prior
approval of the FCC. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or at any time
thereafter during the continuance thereof, subject to terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the Pledgor agrees to take any action which the Collateral Agent
may reasonably request in order to obtain from the FCC such approval as may be
necessary to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enjoy, the full rights
and benefits granted to the Collateral Agent by this Agreement and the other
documents referred to above, including specifically, at the cost and expense of
the Pledgor, the use of its best efforts to assist in obtaining approval of the
FCC for any action or transaction contemplated by this Agreement for which such
approval is or shall be required by law, and specifically, without limitation,
upon request, to prepare, sign and file with the FCC the assignor's or
transferor's portion of any application or applications for consent to the
assignment of license or transfer of control necessary or appropriate under the
FCC's rules and regulations for approval of (i) any sale or other disposition of
the Pledged Collateral by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent, or (ii) any
assumption by the Collateral Agent of voting rights in the Pledged Collateral
effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. It is understood and
agreed that all foreclosure and related actions will be made in accordance with
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       16

regulations promulgated thereunder, as from time to time in effect (the
"Communications Act") and other applicable FCC regulations and published
policies and decisions.

                  (g) the Pledgor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Collateral Agent, the Trustee, and the Holders, the respective affiliates of the
Collateral Agent, the Trustee, and the Holders, and the respective officers,
directors, employees, agents (including, without limitation each of their
counsel), and controlling persons of the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, and the
Holders and each such affiliate (each, an "Indemnified Party") from and against
any and all claims, actions and suits whether groundless or otherwise, and from
and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages and costs and expenses
(including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
and with respect to the Collateral Agent, reasonably allocated costs and
expenses of in-house counsel and legal staff) of every nature and character
arising out of or in connection with any actual or threatened claim, litigation,
investigation or proceeding relating to the Indenture, the Notes or this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such actions
or expenses resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Holders), in each case including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs
of in-house counsel and legal staff incurred in connection with any such
investigation, litigation or other proceeding whether or not such Indemnified
Party is a party thereto, and the Pledgor agrees to reimburse each Indemnified
Party, upon demand, for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and with respect to
the Collateral Agent, reasonably allocated costs and expenses of in-house
counsel and legal staff) incurred in connection with any of the foregoing. In
litigation, or the preparation therefor, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and
the Holders shall be entitled to select their own counsel and, in addition to
the foregoing indemnity, the Pledgor agrees to pay promptly the reasonable fees
and expenses of such counsel. If, and to the extent that the obligations of the
Pledgor under this Section 21(g) are unenforceable for any reason, the Pledgor
hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment in satisfaction of
such obligations which is permissible under applicable law.

                  The Pledgor shall not make any claim against any Indemnified
Party for any special, indirect or consequential damages in respect of any
breach or wrongful conduct (whether the claim therefor is based in contract,
tort or duty imposed by law) in connection with, arising out of or in any way
related to the transactions contemplated by, and the relationship established by
the Indenture, the Notes, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection
therewith, and the Pledgor hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon
any such claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not
known or suspected to exist in the Pledgor's favor.

                  The covenants contained in this Section 21(g) shall survive
payment or satisfaction in full of all other of the Secured Obligations.

                  (h) The Pledgor hereby appoints Fishbein, Badillo Wagner &
Harding, 909 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10002 Attn: Lawrence F. Gilberti,
as its legally authorized process agent to accept service on behalf of the
Pledgor.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       17

                  (i) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The Pledgor agrees that any
suit for the enforcement of this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the
State of New York or any federal court sitting therein and consents to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of such court and service of process in any such suit
being made upon the Pledgor by mail to ______________________________ at the
address specified in Section 21(h). The Pledgor hereby waives any objection that
it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit or any such court or
that such suit is brought in an inconvenient court.

                  (j) This Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in
several counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which
when so executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together
shall constitute one instrument. In proving this Agreement it shall not be
necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the
party against whom enforcement is sought.

                  (k) This Agreement and any other documents executed in
connection herewith express the entire understanding of the parties with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither this Agreement nor any term
hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except as provided in
Section 21(m).

                  (l) the Pledgor hereby waives its right to a jury trial with
respect to any action or claim arising out of any dispute in connection with
this Agreement, or any of the other loan documents, any rights or obligations
hereunder or thereunder or the performance of such rights and obligations.
Except as prohibited by law, the Pledgor hereby waives any right it may have to
claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding sentence any
special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than,
or in addition to, actual damages. The Pledgor (a) certifies that no agent or
representative of the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or any Holder has
represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or
such Holder, as the case may be, would not, in the event of litigation, seek to
enforce the foregoing waivers and (b) acknowledges that the Trustee, the Holders
and the Collateral Agent have been induced to enter into this Agreement and
Indenture among other things, the waivers and certifications contained herein.

                  (m) Any consent or approval required or permitted by this
Agreement to be given by the Collateral Agent may be given, and any term of this
Agreement, may be amended, and the performance or observance by the Pledgor of
any terms of this Agreement, or the continuance of any Default or Event of
Default may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively) with, but only with, the written consent of the
Pledgor and the written consent of the Collateral Agent. No waiver shall extend
to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent
thereon. No course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Collateral
Agent, the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right shall operate as a
waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial thereto. No notice to or demand upon
the Pledgor shall entitle the Pledgor to other or further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances.


<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       18

                  (n) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be
amended, revised and supplemented, as contemplated by Section 1205 of the
Indenture, to assign and pledge to the Custodian for the benefit of the Holders
and the equal and ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in
the Pledged Collateral. Any such amendment, revision or supplement shall comply
with the provisions of Section 1205 of the Indenture.

                  (o) The Pledgor hereby waives any and all rights against
immunity from jurisdiction, attachment (both before and after judgment) and
execution to which it might be entitled.

                  (p) The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any
one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole
or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall
affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and
shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other
jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Agreement in any
jurisdiction.





<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                                       19

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor has caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered as of the date hereof.

                                       CD RADIO INC.



                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


Accepted and Agreed to:

IBJ SCHRODER BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
 as Collateral Agent

By:
   --------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:




<PAGE>

<PAGE>



                                   Schedule I

                                 Pledged Shares


<PAGE>





<PAGE>
                    PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
                           1285 Avenue of the AMericas
                          New York, New York 10019-6064

                                                               November __, 1997

CD Radio Inc.
1001 22nd Street N.W.
Washington DC 20037

                                CD Radio Inc. --
                       Registration Statement on Form S-3
                           Registration No. 333-34769

Ladies and Gentlemen:

               In connection with the above-captioned Registration Statement
(the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Rules"), we have been
requested by CD Radio Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to furnish
our opinion as to the legality of the securities comprising the Units to be
offered pursuant to the Prospectus, each Unit consisting of $1,000 principal
amount at maturity of Senior Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") of the
Company and a number of warrants (each, a "Warrant"), each Warrant initially
entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the "Common Stock") of the Company, registered thereunder.

               In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have
reviewed (i) the Registration Statement (including all amendments thereto filed
on or prior to the date hereof); (ii) the form of Indenture to be executed by
the Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to the
Notes (the "Indenture"), including the form of Note; (iii) the form of Warrant
Agreement to be executed by the Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,
as Warrant Agent, relating to the Warrants (the "Warrant Agreement," and
together with the Registration Statement and the Indenture the "Documents"),
including the form of Warrant; and (iv) records of certain of the Company's
corporate proceedings.







<PAGE>

<PAGE>






CD Radio Inc.                                                                  2

               In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed
without independent investigation, (i) the due organization and valid existence
of the Company under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) the
enforceability of the Documents against each party thereto (other than the
Company), (iii) the necessary power and authority of the Company to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Documents to which it is a
party, (iv) the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of each
of the Documents to which it is a party, (v) that the due authorization,
execution and delivery by the Company of each Document to which it is a party
and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby do
not violate or result in a breach of or default under the Company's charter
documents, (vi) that the Notes and Warrants will be substantially in the form
reviewed by us and that any information omitted from such form will be properly
added, (vii) the genuineness of all signatures, (viii) the legal capacity of all
individuals who have executed any of the Documents, (ix) the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, (x) the conformity to the original
documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, reproduced
or conformed copies of valid existing agreements or other documents and (xi) the
authenticity of all such latter documents.

               We also have examined and relied upon representations as to
factual matters contained in certificates of officers of the Company, and have
made such other investigations of fact and law and have examined and relied upon
the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction,
of such documents, records, certificates or other instruments, and upon such
factual information otherwise supplied to us, as in our judgment are necessary
or appropriate to render the opinion expressed below.

               Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
exceptions and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when
issued and paid for pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and when issued,
authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and
the Warrant Agreement, respectively, and in accordance with the terms set forth
in the Registration Statement, each of the Notes and the Warrants will be legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).








<PAGE>

<PAGE>






CD Radio Inc.                                                                  3

               Our opinion expressed above is limited to the laws of the State
of New York and the federal laws of the United States. Our opinion is rendered
only with respect to laws, and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder,
which are currently in effect.

               We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading "Legal
Opinions" contained in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
persons whose consent is required by the Act or the Rules.

                                                Very truly yours,


                             PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON







<PAGE>

<PAGE>






CD Radio Inc.                                                                  4

Prepared by:

                  ------------------------
                  Jonathan G. L. King


Signed by:

                  ------------------------
                  Mitchell S. Fishman

Reviewed by:

                  ------------------------
                  Seymour Hertz


<PAGE>





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