From time to time we bring you news items that are not Apple-related – unless we’ll be able to get SIRIUS satellite radio on our next generation iPods, that is.
“King of All Media” Howard Stern and SIRIUS announced today an epic agreement whereby Stern will move to SIRIUS beginning January 1, 2006. SIRIUS is the premium satellite radio provider known for delivering the very best in commercial-free music and sports programming to cars and homes across the country.
The world-renowned Stern is credited with revolutionizing the talk radio format. He is the No. 1 national radio host among males 18-49 years of age and ranks No. 1 in many of the 46 major markets where his show is broadcast, including New York and Los Angeles.
“It has been my dream to have the top-rated show in radio since I was five years old,” said Stern in the press release. “SIRIUS — the future of radio — will take this dream to a whole new level as I bring my fans my show my way. It will be the best radio they will ever hear.”
Known for his extremely loyal fan base and for his unequalled ability to migrate fans to other media, Stern has embarked on numerous highly successful ventures over the years while maintaining dominant ratings in his demographic. Stern has written two best-selling books — Private Parts, which was Simon & Schuster’s fastest-selling book ever, and Miss America, the fastest-selling book in publishing history. He later starred in the highly successful motion picture adaptation of Private Parts, orchestrated the fastest-selling soundtrack in motion picture history and starred in the most watched entertainment pay-per-view special of all time. “The Howard Stern Show” is E! Entertainment Television’s most successful show.
“Signing Howard Stern is, without a doubt, the most exciting and transformational event in the history of radio,” said Joseph P. Clayton, CEO of SIRIUS in the press release. “He is an entertainment force of unprecedented recognition and popularity in the broadcast world, who is capable of changing the face of satellite radio and generating huge numbers of subscribers for SIRIUS.”
“Howard is an incredible creative and comedic icon, and we are thrilled that he chose SIRIUS to broadcast what everyone believes will be the most exciting part of his career,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President of Entertainment and Sports in the press release. “There is absolutely no one like Howard Stern, and I’m excited that, for the first time, his show will be heard across the entire country as it was always meant to be heard.”
Greenstein negotiated the five-year, multi-million dollar agreement with Don Buchwald, who represents Stern.
Buchwald said in the press release: “An important new industry is being developed and Howard wants to be its leader. He is truly excited to be working with SIRIUS, which will not only provide a new and innovative platform for his broadcast talents, but will draw on his skills as a businessman. SIRIUS has offered Howard and his fans a great opportunity to be a part of something truly remarkable, and we look forward to a spectacular future.”
Through SIRIUS’ nationwide broadcast system, Stern will be heard in every market across the country. Moreover, Stern’s tremendous popularity among males 18-49 matches perfectly with SIRIUS’ target demographic.
SIRIUS estimates that Stern only would need to generate approximately one million subscribers in order to cover the costs of the deal. Total production and operating costs for the Stern show, including compensation of the show cast and staff, overhead, construction costs for a dedicated studio, and a budget for the development of additional programming and marketing concepts, is estimated to be approximately $100 million per year.
“When you look at his enormous existing fan base, all we need is for Howard to bring in a small fraction of his weekly audience for this agreement to pay for itself,” said Clayton. “Anyone who knows Howard, and who understands how loyal his fan base is, will not have a hard time seeing the incredible potential for growth that he will represent for SIRIUS. We are absolutely delighted that he will be joining our company, and we look forward to expanding the scope and diversity of SIRIUS programming with him.”
Additional information regarding the agreement is available in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SIRIUS with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIRIUS will host a conference call today at 9:15 am ET to brief analysts on the agreement. The audio portion of the call will be webcast at http://www.sirius.com .
fa fa flunky. Robin has nice thingys.
Mr. Stern and his genre are largely responsible for the degradation of American culture in the last ten years. As we search for “the limits” and the “edge” of what is permissible – we find that everything is permissible if you just present it slowly enough, a bit at a time.
A shame to see a once great cultural leader like the USA slide into mainstream getto speak and “normal” vocabulary that would make a drill sargeant blush.
There are no limits if you don’t set them, America.
“YOU KNEW, WHAT YOU WERE DOING….YOU WANTED US ALL TO BE A BUZZ”
Ahole I agree with you 100%. I only turn on the radio to listen to Stern after the show is over I go into my iPod and finish out my day.
I can’t wait to here the new show.
F the FCC, and F Jackie
And Stern has never made a secret that he uses IMB-brand PCs. Rush Limbaugh is the Mac user.
And Glick7 please take your “cultural degradation” and just go die.
I’m not a big fan of Stern, and I only perifereally paid attention to him getting canned. From what I recall it was in the wake of the backlash against the Janet Jackson halftime fiasco.
In Sterns case, people can turn the dial and they can listen to something else. I don’t think that radio should “censored” as such. But the radio stations that carried Stern also have a right to determine what they want on their airwaves. Them removing Stern may be “censorship” in the broader sense but appropriate as it’s not government backed censorship.
Janet Jackson on the other hand did her self promoting stunt in front of an unsuspecting audience of families including children. While Stern does not try to hide what he is and what he does, the Superbowl is not late night TV, and it’s not an appropriate place for sexual content that is degrading to women.
I’m no prude, I think it’s a matter of respect. And none was paid to the millions of families and their kids who was watching that show. And what made it more insulting was the embarassing attempt to make excuses for what was obviously a planned event calling it a “wardrobe malfunction.” Pete Rose didn’t get anywhere by lying and I don’t imagine too many people were fools enough to buy Janet, or Justin’s or CBS’s lame attempts at sugaring over what they did.
I say if they thought what they did was appropriate as they obviously planned it in advance, why not have at least the decency to admit it upfront?
I switch between driving and taking subway/bus to and from work. And in both cases, Stern is with me on the radio and he makes the commute a hell of a lot easier. I am going to buy a rig for my car and hopefully by 06, they have a portable device I can use in the gym and on the bus.
And with him running 24/7 on Sirius, I’ll be able to catch him on the flipside during PM drive home. NICE!
who cares?
Amazing how many of you speak on a topic – in this case Howard Stern – and have no clue what you are critizing.
As an avid listener, I know for a fact he has called the iPod the greatest invention of all time. And he has said it several times.
The “98% bong” comment above shows how ignorant the anti-Stern folk really are. Again, you have no clue what you are talking about.
As far as Stern’s anti-Bush stance, he
was a big supporter until the FCC got tough on him. Stern has backed both Republicans and Democrats, and there are several prominent Republicans who back Stern. One of them being Rudolph Guliani, who would kick Bush’s ass in any election.
Stern accuses Bush of not going far enough in the war on terror. And he is right. God forbid he upset his Saudi buddies.
Sorry for the misspelling and format error. Just trying to leave work when I saw this.
mega dildos
Howard Stern is the biggest idiot ever. Up there with Gates and Thurrott
F Howard!
Listen to Opie & Anthony on XM.
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