Posted on 12/16/2005 7:45:48 AM PST by new yorker 77
The free ride for Howard Stern fans ends Friday. Stern, a New York radio fixture for 20 years and host of a syndicated show for 12 million daily listeners, bid farewell to his fans with a final show on terrestrial radio. On Jan. 9, Stern makes his move to satellite radio — where his once-free speech will cost listeners $12.95 a month.
"Good morning, and welcome to the last show on terrestrial radio," Stern said to launch his grand finale. The sound of "Taps" played in the background.
The show opened with a Stern-centric remake of the classic "What A Wonderful World," and John Lennon's "Imagine."
Stern later planned a two-hour midtown Manhattan party to say goodbye to any loyal listeners who turned up — and scores already had, despite a driving rainstorm. Stern planned to deliver an address to his radio fans, finishing up a quarter-century on terrestrial radio as arguably its most influential figure.
Stern leaves behind a plethora of imitators spawned in the wake of his success, when his show enjoyed an unprecedented ratings run to hit No. 1 in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Los Angeles.
His move to Sirius Satellite Radio, while somewhat risky, comes with a huge financial reward: Stern signed a five-year, $500 million contract to create two new channels for Sirius. The salaries, overhead and other programming costs come out of his windfall.
During his career, Stern evolved into the center of attention in First Amendment issues and censorship. Infinity Broadcasting paid $1.7 million in 1995 to settle complaints by the Federal Communications Commission against Stern. In April 2004, Clear Channel dumped Stern from six stations because of his show's content.
Sirius is depending on Stern to reverse its money-losing ways. Since the 51-year-old shock jock announced his move last year, the number of Sirius subscribers jumped from 600,000 to more than 2.2 million. That figure is expected to hit 3 million by the end of the year.
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I can not stand some of his content.
His politics turned on President Bush and he tried to defeat him last year.
All that being said, we conservsatives have to watch out for the FCC.
Some day there may be a detestable President or Congress who tries to destroy Conservative Talk using new FCC rules.
I am all for proper content, but I am more for free speech.
Your option and my option is to turn it on or turn it off.
Conservative Talk Radio is powerful because it speaks to us and it echos our sentiments.
It is a Freedom that many liberals want to destroy.
We may applaud the pushback on Stern today, but where will that lead us when our venue gets targeted tomorrow?
Smut and political speech are two very differnt things. I hav eno problem with them keeping adult content off the airwaves.
Who cares what Mr. Stern says.
Sheesh! Now I'll have to not listen to him on Sirius. What a pain!
'Political Speech' will be called 'Hate Speech'.
'Hate Speech' will be targeted.
Picture that scenario.
Unthinkable?
Don't count on it.
I wonder how many people were there today?
I heard this coming into work today,it sounded like several thousand.
If this flush keeps running on, will someone please jiggle the handle?
Good Riddance.
I now have a good reason to NOT get Satellite Radio.
Stern is depraved. I have no problem with keeping him off the public airwaves.
Which of smut or political speech did President Bush and a Republican Congress limit with the Campaign Finance Reform law?
What is your opinion of Adam Carolla taking over the show?
Howard who? Oh, I remember that guy. He's so 1990s.
Stern uses the FCC as his bogeyman. The FCC is the reason he can't get a date, has pimples on his back, etc.
And the second string conservative talkers who had to sigh in frustration every time they saw Stern's name above them will now take a step up the list. Which means more ad dollars for conservative radio.
Thank you, Mr. Stern, for taking yourself out of the picture.
He is not a radio guy.
I smell Franken.
He will fail.
I wish somebody would mistreat me with a half billion dollars.
Unthinkable in America, yes. Because you and I will never let it happen.
Don't confuse filth on public airwaves with free speech. And yes, filth can be reasonably described.
You must really love McCain, GWB, and the Supreme Court, after the McCain / Feingold bill was passed, signed and deemed legal.
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