Curious Am I
Two weeks ago when Howard Stern started talking about how there was a right wing conspiracy against him, I generally believed him. After two weeks of hearing what he's said, I'm starting to think its more of an elaborate publicity campaign.
To me it seems like democrats and republicans alike (in Congress) are gung ho about letting the FCC put tougher restrictions on programming. Ever since the whole Janet Jacket nipplegate controversy, the FCC seems to be chomping at the bit. Last week congress voted on increasing the fines for indecent broadcasts. It was one of the most lopsided votes in history. This means that both democrats and republicans are backing this "cleansing" of our radio and television airways. It's not just a right wing consiracy like Stern would have you believe.
The fact is that if Howard Stern gets fired, Infinity Broadcasting would have to pay him the remainder of his contract. If Howard quits, he is voluntarily pulling out of his contract and would not get the remainder of the money on his contract. So if Howard feels so strongly, he should quit and put his money where his mouth is. Howard is already in negotiations with XM and Sirius radio. If one of these two satellite radio companies signs Howard, they know damn well that their month subscription rates will increase by millions. In fact the concern now is that XM and Sirius wont be able to produce enough satallite radios to meet the demand if Stern signs with them.
In addition to being a talented radio host and self promoter, Howard is a wise business man. He stands to make millions upon millions if he jumps ship to satallite. This will just be another feather in his cap. So Howard has everything to gain here. He can pioneer satallite radio, and become unbelievably rich doing it (not that he isn't already).
Lets say Howard does jump ship and signs with XM. I believe the monthly subscription price is $9.95 a month. If Howard brings 5 million listeners to XM (and thats a conservative number) @ $9.95 a month they will rake in $50 million a month!!! $600 million a year. If that happens, you can be sure Howard will be getting a HUGE chunk of that money.
So while I still enjoy his show, I just don't feel like him making himself out to be a martyr is necessary. To be a martyr, you have to sacrafice something. Making a fortune by jumping to a new format is hardly martyr worthy...
To me it seems like democrats and republicans alike (in Congress) are gung ho about letting the FCC put tougher restrictions on programming. Ever since the whole Janet Jacket nipplegate controversy, the FCC seems to be chomping at the bit. Last week congress voted on increasing the fines for indecent broadcasts. It was one of the most lopsided votes in history. This means that both democrats and republicans are backing this "cleansing" of our radio and television airways. It's not just a right wing consiracy like Stern would have you believe.
The fact is that if Howard Stern gets fired, Infinity Broadcasting would have to pay him the remainder of his contract. If Howard quits, he is voluntarily pulling out of his contract and would not get the remainder of the money on his contract. So if Howard feels so strongly, he should quit and put his money where his mouth is. Howard is already in negotiations with XM and Sirius radio. If one of these two satellite radio companies signs Howard, they know damn well that their month subscription rates will increase by millions. In fact the concern now is that XM and Sirius wont be able to produce enough satallite radios to meet the demand if Stern signs with them.
In addition to being a talented radio host and self promoter, Howard is a wise business man. He stands to make millions upon millions if he jumps ship to satallite. This will just be another feather in his cap. So Howard has everything to gain here. He can pioneer satallite radio, and become unbelievably rich doing it (not that he isn't already).
Lets say Howard does jump ship and signs with XM. I believe the monthly subscription price is $9.95 a month. If Howard brings 5 million listeners to XM (and thats a conservative number) @ $9.95 a month they will rake in $50 million a month!!! $600 million a year. If that happens, you can be sure Howard will be getting a HUGE chunk of that money.
So while I still enjoy his show, I just don't feel like him making himself out to be a martyr is necessary. To be a martyr, you have to sacrafice something. Making a fortune by jumping to a new format is hardly martyr worthy...
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