Posted on 01/09/2006 3:05:27 AM PST by Momaw Nadon
The biggest gamble in the short life of satellite radio hits the table at 6 a.m. today, as Howard Stern starts what he calls his creative rebirth at Sirius.
The most prominent morning host on commercial radio for 20 years, Stern joined Sirius because he says the FCC's vague content guidelines made it impossible for him to do his "real show" any more.
Because satellite listeners pay a monthly subscription fee, like cable TV watchers, the FCC does not regulate content - though Stern's arrival has amplified calls for such regulation to be authorized.
Stern's switch to Sirius, with his colorful promise of no-holds-barred radio, has triggered a tidal wave of publicity and raised at least two longer-term questions.
First, how much attention will he receive three, six or 12 months from now? While satellite's reach makes his show available everywhere, his initial Sirius audience will be only l5%-20% of what it has been on terrestrial radio.
Second, will he give satellite radio in general the promotional push for which Sirius and rival XM are hoping? Both Sirius and XM have bled billions of dollars in startup costs and routinely run multimillion-dollar quarterly operating deficits.
Sirius says it has committed half a billion dollars to Stern's show, and just last week announced he was getting a bonus of more than $200 million in Sirius stock.
Sirius clearly is counting on a windfall payback down the line, in subscription and advertising revenue.
Right at the moment, both XM and Sirius say subscriptions are running strong.
XM says it just passed six million and projects nine million by yearend.
Sirius says it ended 2005 with 3.3 million, many of the new ones Stern-driven, and projects six million by yearend.
That puts satellite listenership ahead of many past projections, which envisioned 20 million radios in service by 2010.
Some Wall Street analysts still see Sirius stock as a gamble, while XM seems to be generally regarded as a solid player.
I've tried it (in rental cars) and I enjoy it...but I have no intention of buying it.
I tuned in and found that he was asking the question "I wonder what black chicks smell like 'down there'....probably like watermelon".
That's all I need to know about his "talents".
And if that happens, the lack of competition will be incentive to pack their music with commercials.
But the monthly fee is subsidizing Stern even if you don't listen.I don't know if that would bother you,but it certainly make me feel uneasy.
Yes it bothers me but it doesn't bother my husband (so I got him what he wanted). Personally I would never have gone for it but then I'm the hard core right winger, not him.
Subscribers to both are also subsidizing Air America, Gay and lesbian channels, adult humor channels etc. I do not understand why having Stern on Sirius is more polarizing than the pre-existing fare.
XM is losing the NASCAR contract at the end of this year to SIRIUS. Like you I got XM for the NASCAR coverage, and will probably switch next year. With the NFL and NASCAR, SIRIUS will be hard for me to ignore.
Howard Stern = One of the reasons I chose XM.
XM, BTW, is very good.
Stern is an idiot, a perverted one at that and you watch, Sirius made a huge blunder when they made this deal with that big DORK, Stern. XM should go and try to get Rush now and you would see there stock really skyrocket. Stern is an immoral idiot created by the leftist media.
Air America is on XM = One of the reasons I chose Sirius.
Sirius, BTW, is very good.
If you listen to this slime--you belong in DU.
Your not missing anything every stern show is the same crap every day down to the words he uses it's a teen thing.
I was speaking to ALL---didn't mean to single you out :(
I know basically nothing about satellite radio including what appears on these channels (except Stern). Given what you've said,it could be that there are more reasons to avoid satellite than just Stern.
I'm a Conservative Republican with a sense of humor.
Is that such a bad thing?
That's another reason I chose XM. LOL.
Meh. So is America Right.
It's a mass-market product.
I can't imagine being stupid enough to shell out $120 a year to listen to that idiot.
Not to change the subject, but Stern's replacement in NYC is awful (David Lee Roth)....what the heck were they thinking?...
I'm not in radio, so I didn't realise the FCC was oppresive. What is it that Howard has to say, that is being oppressed by the FCC?
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