Surprise surprise. Howard Stern confirmed today what we all knew: he's not returning to terrestrial radio.
"I'm not contemplating it," Stern told listeners. "I don't want to be censored."
"I'm not contemplating it," Stern told listeners. "I don't want to be censored."
That's regardless of what Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan thinks, since he told BusinessWeek that Clear Channel and Stern would be a logical fit.
"We would be the most logical company for him to optimize his exposure and financial return," Hogan said in an emailed statement.
But, logical for who? I'm sure Clear Channel sees the logic (and profit) in such a deal, but it hardly seems so in reverse.
"Just because I said people call me from time to time doesn't mean I'm actually going back," Stern said on Monday.
"I just said a lot of people called. I'm not contemplating it."
"We would be the most logical company for him to optimize his exposure and financial return," Hogan said in an emailed statement.
But, logical for who? I'm sure Clear Channel sees the logic (and profit) in such a deal, but it hardly seems so in reverse.
"Just because I said people call me from time to time doesn't mean I'm actually going back," Stern said on Monday.
"I just said a lot of people called. I'm not contemplating it."
I thought it was unlikely that he'd return terrestrial radio because he'd have to work five days a week. And no matter what he's going to also earn a lot less money than his last contract. I don't think Stern minds censorship, he stated on Sean Hannity a few years ago that he quotes 'I believe in censorship.'
Now that Stern made this statement, there isn't any reason why Sirius should bother signing him. If he retires there won't be a reason why his audience would cancel in mass. Frankly the only bidding war that they had to worry about was another satellite radio company and that was solved by becoming a monopoly.
Hogan is delusional or he's on meth. Didn't CC screw him out of a bunch of money? Why on earth would he go back to a company that screwed him over.
Terrestrial radio sucks, I don't care if it's HD or not it's lame, full of commercials and lacks any interesting content.
Hogan needs to get his head examined. I hear O n A might be available cheap but Hogan wants to make money not lose listeners.
Okay everyone...happy now?
Let us now see if Howard does indeed re-up with the company, and how that shakes out.
Someone made a good comment about how Mel K. put all the attention/focus on Stern, and ignored the rest of the merged company, nearly all of which was running before Howard got there.
I would like to see a broader refocus of the music channels (and yes, change them back to close to what they once were in terms of variety, and more quiet announcers), and also a further outreach to show the general public that satrad does exist, and is cost-effective for what it contains and delivers.
Howard's staying on will keep his core of subscribers very happy, and that will keep the numbers good there; now that it is pretty much settled, I think the real work is yet to be started over there.
WGAS?
As if he's not being censored by the lawyers at SIRI already...
anyone know approx how far (Hours/minutes) into his show he made these statements?
Let's do like the jersey shore and do a little fist pumpin and on top of that a share buy back. Howard Stern is and forever will be the King of all Media!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just seems like a bunch of noise to me
is he still around?
Exactly. Only newbs and suckers think there is no censorship on satradio. Howard will soon be upgrading back to FM/HD radio.
Sure, there is some self-censorship- but that's not a bad thing. There is self-censorship in just about every media. Even porn movies practice self-consorship.
But what is on the Howard Stern show today would never, ever, be allowed on terrestrial radio. And the show is better for it.
The "newbs and suckers" comment is really starting to develop a nice patina from continued use -- and I applaud your versatility with it.
Seriously, though, so everyone now thinks this is The Final Word divinely etched on tablets from Mount Sinai? Or is it just another shot in the continuing volley of B.S. that's designed just to create conversations like this one and ultimately get Stern even more money from whomever his employer winds up being?
absolutely.
Ryan let this dude write a piece for orbitcast he freakin rules
xcountry cardholder #1
So former employers call from time to time with offers. In which you never contemplate.
Yes howard oh king. I'm a hoo hoo head sheep that will belive your every word. Give me a break!
i used to be a devoted stern fan... but robin drives me nuts and the "yes" people hat surround howard and laugh at EVERYTHING he says make me nauseous. i tried O & A 3 yrs ago and never looked back... their show is genuinely hilarious.
I don't know what Clear Channel is smoking but it must be good if they think Howard would consider going back to them. Terrestrial radio is so bad and provides such crappy service, save for the local sports stations which I still consider good. Other than that, there is no reason for Howard to go back. I constantly see people on here blasting away at satellite radio about how bad it is and how bad the music channels are now. Well, if you don't like, then shut your mouths, and go listen to your lame terrestrial radio. Obviously, if you are still commenting on here, then you are still listening and if you are still listening then it can't be as bad as you say.
So, Mr. FM radio; we're all idiots, and you're a superior being. OK, give me one example of censorship on Stern's show. Then you can go back to your ham radio, or whatever it is you listen to.
Hmmm, pretty interesting timing on his statement. Sounds like the negotiations are nearing completion and Howard is staying on. Why else would he be so definitive?
A press release of Howard staying for another five years, coupled with some semi-positive earnings from last quarter might be Mel's way of pushing the stock above a buck to avoid the reverse split.
Either way, it sounds like a step in the right direction...for a change.
FTE has been around. He's the resident one who used to use the same phrases over and over again, such as Melvin "Mel", the term "merge" MONOPOLY, etc. The term "newbs and suckers" is his latest attempt at memetic warfare.
At first I thought he was simply opposed to the merger, but for over two years he shills a lot for HD Radio, and has gotten angry over people who critique it. Unlike some of the others here (including Ryan), I am not opposed to HD Radio or FM Radio, but I'm not sure why this guy holds a big grudge against SatRad. A LOT of us are disappointed, but there's still a lot of variety, not to mention the fact that 20 million subs can't all be "newbs" or "suckers".
I heartily concur.
Quite the saucy one, aren't you?!
FTE also has long accused of Mel of running a "pyramid scheme." Well, if he was running one, why hasn't the Justice Department got on his and Sirius/XM's case?
Sounds to me like he's a disgruntled investor (what other kind is there with this stock?) or an HD investor/fan. Never can tell.
Damn, I guess now he'll just stay at Siri and continue to drag it into obscurity by sucking the marrow out of what's left of the company. I know he never would have gone back to terrestrial but it would have done wonders to help SXM to recover (IMHO).
Dasplumen and Ed Baxter, thanks for the comments.
Happy to do so. Every time I see your name, xcounty, it makes me mourn the loss of the good 'ol xm channels of yesteryear.
Don't worry about HIM dragging it into obscurity O n A are doing a great job in the obscurity department.
Tell Em Anthony
I like Howard better on FM.