Satellite radio investors seem to like the idea of Stern becoming a judge on American Idol. His fans seem to like the idea as well. After all, this will bring more exposure to Stern, and by extension, to satellite radio. It would seem to make all of the sense in the world that this is potentially great news, right?

Well, the exposure would help satellite radio gain some “free” publicity, but in my mind this deal would have been better a year or two ago. As many already know, Howard is in the last year of his contract with Sirius XM. As any business man will tell you, you want to increase your market value as much as possible prior to negotiating a contract. Thus, the American Idol speculation brings added value to the Stern brand, as well as his negotiating power.

If Howard is a success on American Idol, it would be a gig that would pay him handsomely. Perhaps it would even pay him enough to make that his main form of employment. Being a judge on American Idol would increase the amount of leverage he has at the negotiating table with Sirius XM. Even the speculation serves that same purpose. Yes, it would bring exposure to Sirius XM. Perhaps the added exposure will even be enough to make it in Sirius XM’s best interest to try their hardest to keep The King of All Media on board. The risk however is all with Sirius XM. If Howard were to cut a deal with Idol, he is in the drivers seat when it comes to a potential contract with Sirius XM.

Stern is in a win/win situation:

1. If he wants to slow down, the Idol job will allow him to do just that while at the same time keeping his bank account healthy.

2. If he has no intention of signing with Idol, the mere speculation will increase his value at the table as he negotiates with Sirius XM.

3. If he really wants to cash in, he can do both Idol and Sirius XM.

Over the years, there have been many who question the relevance of Howard Stern. He has passionate fans, and people who passionately hate him. Those that say he is not relevant really need to wake up and look at what is happening. He is indeed relevant. He is relevant because his name gets attached to rumor after rumor. He is relevant because even those that hate him make him relevant by expressing their opinion about him.

Whether or not Howard Stern re-signs with Sirius XM will be some of the key speculation this year. Losing their flagship personality to Idol would not be the end of the world for Sirius XM. Losing hin to Idol and having him still conduct a radio show or podcast elsewhere could be bad news. Stern’s very relevance makes keeping him important. It is just a question of the cost to get the deal done, and the value Sirius XM can get out of the deal. Any other year than a contract year, this American Idol news would be a coup for satellite radio. This year, it is a mixed bag, and a wild card.

Renewing Howard’s contract has always been a priority for Sirius XM and he was always going to command top dollar. The idol news simply solidifies his position. I would watch for Howard to shoot for fewer radio broadcast days, and perhaps even work towards a three day show schedule with other Howard 100/101 programming and perhaps new morning shows filling in on the off days. As with anything that Howard Stern does…he is in the drivers seat.

Position: Long Sirius XM Radio

Starting December 21st you will be able to hear the 3rd installment of the History of Howard Stern on Howard 100 and Howard 101 on the Sirius dial. The History of Howard Stern: Act III, exclusive radio documentary series offers listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look at the life, career and achievements of Howard Stern.

Act III takes an in-depth look at the era when Howard is crowned “The King of All Media.” Pivotal moments of Howard’s life and career covered in Act III include the publication of his bestselling books Private Parts and Miss America, the launch of the E! show, Howard’s run for governor of New York, the day Howard saved a caller from jumping off the George Washington Bridge, an all-star tribute to Sam Kinison, and much more.

The show will premier on December 21st and air through January 1st beginning at 6am ET on Howard 100 and 6am PT on Howard 101 in 10 separate original parts, with one installment airing each day that week and encore performances all day, nightly and throughout the weekend.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of listening to the show as long as I have because you were either too young, or now have the new found ability through Satellite Radio, this series is a must listen. To hear where this show has come from and how much it has evolved is an eye opening and entertaining experience. For more information check out sirius.com/historyofhoward.

In a recent interview, Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin stated that he would like to renew Howard for less money and have him work more. The comment was innocent enough, in that the context of the interview was about how Sirius XM is going to cut costs and become a profitable company. Stern, with his big contract, would be a natural target for those critical of the performance of Sirius XM.

Mel Karmazin is a business man, and he is going to give an answer that indicates the goals of the company to cut costs. However, this is Sirius XM, and any comment faces the dangers of being spun out of control by any number of media outlets.

Let’s face it, Howard is finishing off a big contract and he is a major draw for satellite radio. His contract, which has about a year left is a major decision for Sirius XM, and even himself. On his radio show, Howard vented about Karmazin’s comments and ranted about how he may be done at the end of the current deal.

Typical to Stern Show fashion, he is using anything and everything to make his point. This includes rants about the contract and media coverage on his own show. In an economy where everyone is downsizing and cost cutting, should the premier draw of the company take a cut in pay? Regardless of anyone’s opinion, the decision rests with Howard himself and he will play every card at his disposal to make his next sweetheart deal.

If I had to bet on it, I would say he will sign again but, it wont be cheap. The original Stern deal came with a virtual boatload of stock. That stock has gone down in value substantially, thus making his “take-home” pay substantially less than what was initially published.

Ever since Howard Stern signed his first deal, confusion has reigned supreme. Media outlet after media outlet assumed he got $500 million for five years. The reality was that the original deal was $500 million for him, his staff, the studio construction, and a budget all of the talent featured on the Howard 100 and Howard 101 channels. This is not to say that he did not make a lot of money…he did. However, he is NOT making $100 million per year, and with a big chunk of the contract paid in stock that went down, don’t look for a similarly structured contract going forward. Howard will want more guaranteed money.

Howard Stern is no stranger to contract negotiations. He is also well aware that his radio show is the perfect format to get what he wants. The longer this plays out, the more leverage he has. Each news story covering the saga adds to the bottom line IF Sirius XM really wants to re-sign him.

Over the next several months look for the media to question whether Sirius XM “needs” to sign Howard Stern and for stories to question whether or not the company can afford to keep him on board. We saw foreshadowing of this happening with Howard 101 talent Bubba The Love Sponge. Ultimately, Bubba was hired to a contract that has him doing both terrestrial radio as well as satellite radio. Essentially, Bubba became a part time satellite radio employee.

The drama surrounding Howard Stern has just started. Watch for him to continue his radio based negotiations and for the media, as well as analysts, to assign a big question mark to the entire process. This will cause uncertainty that will be a central description of Sirius XM until the issue is resolved.

LogMeIn is an application that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to access their home or office computer from their devices. In the ad for LogMeIn Ignition, Howard touts, “If it’s on your computer, it’s on your iPhone.”

In theory, a consumer who downloads the LogMeIn Ignition app onto their iPhone has complete and unfettered access to their home computer through the device. A look at the LogMeIn Ignition website reveals that those that upgrade to the LogMeIn PRO function will allow users key features that should make listening to Howard 100/101, as well as other content not available through the iPhone app, very possible.

With LogMeIn Pro, you can do everything you can do with Free, but more. Pro also includes:

• Target-to-local printing: This means that if you choose to print anything from the target computer, you will receive it on your local printer.
• File Manager: With LogMeIn’s File Manager you can quickly and securely transfer files between the local and the remote (target) computer
• Mini Meeting: You can a trusted friend or colleague to remotely view or control your Local PC’s desktop.
• Remote Sound: You can hear any sounds locally (i.e. music, podcasts, email notifications) coming from your target computer.

While consumers would have to pay a small premium for such a service, the usefulness of a program such as LogMeIn Ignition goes beyond satellite radio. For hard core Howard Stern fans, baseball fans, etc. this could be a great solution.

The consumer aspect is quite obvious, but the interesting story is in the debate about Sirius XM not having the rights to include Stern on their iPhone app. Certainly Stern or his agent could not argue that an app such as LogMeIn Ignition violates his contract with Sirius XM, yet it is an app such as this that would allow consumers access to their already paid for Sirius XM subscription through their iPhone, via their home computer.

If you think about it, the iPod touch is nothing more than a mini computer, and the iPhone simply adds the ability to place phone calls. The Internet accessed on these devices is no different than the Internet accessed by a home computer, laptop, or the still smaller netbook computer. Thus, how much teeth could the Stern contract actually have unless it specifically excluded Apple, and even then there would seem to be a lot of holes in the stance. Howard broadcasts on the net, yet now he want to control what types of net connections are allowed to broadcast his show.

I have not yet tested whether the LogMeIn Ignition app will allow this, but in theory it should. There may also be aspects of the subscriber terms of service that would preclude a consumer from accessing Sirius XM content in this way, but in reality, how could the company ever police such use?

Clearly Howard and Sirius XM are trying to hammer out an agreement, but there is no telling how long that will take. Something tells me his own live read may be exhibit one in the contract debate. Fans of content such as Howard Stern, baseball, NASCAR, etc. may well consider a solution such as LogMeIn Ignition as a worth while alternative.

“If It’s On Your Computer, It’s On Your iPhone…” – Howard Stern

Position: Long Sirius XM, No Position Apple.

With all of the excitement, news, and reviews, there is still one question on the minds of many. Why isn’t Howard Stern available. Speculation ran wild, and calls to Sirius XM were met with an overall silence with regard to the issue. Some felt that Sirius XM was holding back, others felt that there was a potential worry about bandwidth on AT&T’s network, and still others thought the issue may revolve around Stern wanting more money.

While any official confirmation has not been made, there are several indicators that would point to the fact that Stern is a central part in this issue.

1. The general lack of discussion of any kind regarding the app coming from the Howard Stern Show.

2. Indicators on Gary Dell’Abate’s Twitter page that indicate possible rights issues. Note, the page appears to be Dell’abate’s, but verification could not be made prior to publishing. Note: It has since be verified to be fake.

3. Sirius XM taking on a virtual silence, which would indicate that the issue is in some form of negotiation.

It would appear that the Stern contract, which likely has many stipulations, must have some clause dealing with “mobile media”, and the potential of third party operations. In short, there are various aspects of the app that may trigger a “no-go” for Stern inclusion unless the parties sit down at the table and negotiate. Such possibilities include, conflicts with In-Demand, mobile media exclusions and inclusions, or perhaps even something specific to Apple.

Now, before everyone starts talking about all of the money Stern already has, and labeling him as money hungry (which he actually is), we need to step back and understand the dynamics at play. If Stern, or his agent, was smart enough to see the potential moving forward, than I take my hat off to them. However, in this case, it is quite possible that Stern is biting the hand that feeds him, and his actions have squandered the possible exposure associated with the launch of the iPhone app.

To be fair to Stern, there is no way to know exactly where things stand. His possible demands could be very simple and doable, and if that is the case, shame on Sirius XM. Karmazin is known as a cost cutter, and perhaps the parties simply came to an impasse as time ran out for the launch of the app. The launch date would have been the leverage Stern had, and with that now gone, perhaps more realistic negotiations can happen moving forward.

Sirius XM can never recoup the lost exposure they would have had if Stern was part of the app. Let’s hope that the financial decision made was worth it, and the parties can hammer out the details moving forward.

Thanks Mike!
Position: Long Sirius XM, No Position Apple.

How does Howard Stern command such a vast audience from such a wide spectrum of people? The answer is that he posses an ingrained talent to balance edgy content with informative discussion. He looks at life through a humorous prism, and for a few hours a day, allows some to laugh out loud while others curiously listen from the sidelines. Howard has an uncanny ability to bring out the most from his interviews, and shed a little light on aspects of his guests that no other interview brings out. The great thing about him is that you are compelled to tune in because you don’t want to miss radio gold like his interview with Paul McCartney.

When Howard Stern signed with Sirius Satellite Radio there was huge discussion about whether the cost was worth it. Stern fans loved the move while detractors labeled him as washed up, and over the hill. In the end, it was Howard Stern, and not the NFL, NASCAR, Eminem, or Martha Stewart that delivered subscribers in huge numbers to Sirius. Even in the face of a huge boost in subscriptions, some claimed that he was not the major factor in Sirius’ sudden growth.

Fast forward a few years, and Sirius would merge with XM. As part of the merger, an upgrade in packages would be offered. Sirius subscribers could buy the Best of XM, and XM subscribers the Best of Sirius. As of June 2009, the merged company had roughly 19 million subscribers. Of those subscribers, roughly 15 million are self paying. Roughly 5% (748,000) of the self paying subscriber base has elected to pay a premium to get the ” Best Of” the other package. The interesting statistic is that 544,000 XM subs have opted for the “Best Of Sirius”, while only 204,000 Sirius subscribers have opted for the “Best Of XM”. This translates to the “Best Of Sirius” package getting 73% of the “Best Of” market!

Is the gap between the two “Best Of” packages attributable to football? Not likely. These numbers are growing outside football season. Is NASCAR the answer. Again, not likely. Nor is Martha. The major draw for the “Best Of” package is Howard Stern. Perhaps if Major League baseball were to become a part of the “Best Of XM” package there would be some boost to the XM side of the house, but given that the NFL has yet to carry a big impact in the other direction is telling, and would point to modest gains in the “Best Of XM” package if it were offered. I am sure that die-hard Opie & Anthony fans will want to cry foul and label Stern as a “has-been”, but the numbers speak quite clearly. Stern is far from a has been, and will continue to be a major draw, even with a four day work week.

Howard Stern’s current deal expires about eighteen months from now. Before the end of 2009, the grumbling about whether or not he will return will become more and more newsworthy, even in the mainstream media. Stern will attract coverage that other name talent on SDARS has not. When Ellen left XM, there was no story about it on Entertainment tonight, or Fox News. Howard garners that kind of coverage, and he will forever be linked closely with satellite radio.

The fact of the matter is that Howard Stern carries a lot of cache. While Sirius XM could survive without him, having him on board makes things much easier. When he left terrestrial, a vacuum was created. terrestrial radio has survived, but they indeed missed him. For the entertainment world, the most serious question is not where Howard goes, but whether or not he retires. If Howard stays in radio, Sirius XM will have to put a competitive number on the table. If he retires, satellite radio will have already had the chance to expose subscribers to all of the incredible content Sirius XM has to offer.

Stern is a compelling differentiator in media. The numbers bear it out. His career bears it out. Whether someone wants to admit it or not, an edgy Howard Stern in hand is better than an edgy Howard Stern elsewhere. Howard still has influence, and has a great deal more influence than people really comprehend.

Position – Long Sirius XM

It is a great idea, and one that promises to help XM’s subscriber base experience the content available on Sirius. Howard is typically available to XM subscribers through a “BEST OF SIRIUS” package that comes at a cost of about $4 per month.

The company recently announced that roughly 500,000 XM subscribers buy the “BEST OF SIRIUS” Package. This is in contrast to about 200,000 Sirius Subscribers who pay $4 extra to receive the “BEST OF XM” deal. It will be interesting to see how these numbers balance out in future quarters. In my opinion, the biggest differentiators between the tow “BEST OF” packages is Howard Stern, and it appears that the company will capitalize on that.

In all, the BEST OF packages represent about $2,800,000 in additional monthly revenue for Sirius XM radio. While some people have been critical of Sirius XM’s marketing, this promotion has true merit. The company is marketing to those that already subscribe and understand the value of the service. The likelihood in getting a few extra bucks out of an existing subscribers. With only about 5% of the subscriber base participating in the “BEST OF” programming, marketing dollars and promotions such as this represent a good growth target.

The next issue on the plate needs to be a similar promotion for Sirius subscriber to get exposure to XM. Perhaps this will happen with baseball, which has been rumored to be coming soon to the “BEST OF XM”. Kudos to Sirius XM for making what is a very sensible marketing decision on this one.

Position – Long Sirius XM Radio

Stern’s moniker as King of all Media has stepped up in the tech world with not only the Blackberry news, but also because of announcements on the show that Twitter and Facebook are now in the Stern arsenal. After only one hour Stern already had thousands of followers on Twitter, and the news that Stern wanted to post a video via Facebook already has people clamoring to find the Sirius XM entertainer on that service.

As we have seen demonstrated time and time again, Stern carries a lot of influence with his fans. Blackberry has certainly been impacted by brisk iPhone sales over the past eighteen months, but with Stern endorsing the Blackberry platform, the company is sure to put a dent in the “coolness” factor that iPhone has enjoyed since its launch. Tweeting on Twitter is a phenomenon that is wide reaching, and Stern is now participating, which will bode well for the show as well as fans. Facebook has had mentions on the show in the past, but Stern was reluctant to use his private Facebook in a way that fans could participate. With a show based Facebook page, the interaction and updates may be more frequent, giving Stern followers even more Stern material.

As a fan of satellite radio, it is great to see Stern make these moves. Other shows should consider following suit, and Sirius XM in general should consider the same. Technology is moving fast, and participation in platforms such as Twitter and Facebook can give Sirius XM additional outlets to market their services and shows.

So what brought on all of this sudden activity on the net? We have Sirius XM’s Tim Sabean to thank. He is pushing for more synergies, and for that we are all thankful.

Position – Long Sirius XM

1. Clay Aiken
2. Barack Obama
3. Heath Ledger
4. Paul Newman
5. John McCain
6. Tupac Shakur
7. Johnny Depp
8. Howard Stern
9. Travis Barker
10. 50 Cent

What I found most entertaining was the fact that whoever wrote the press release could not resist throwing in the following jab

…reappearing in 2008 after falling off the list in 2007 is Howard Stern, who, despite seeing a continued decline in his Sirius Satellite ratings, managed to keep himself in the headlines, marrying long-time girlfriend Beth Ostrosky.

of course Howard couldn’t have just made the list because his talent and growing ratings, instead they suggest that he made the list because of his marriage to Beth. Which only leaves one question… who the hell still searches the net with Lycos?

Artie is a true man’s man storytelling genius but, lets not get the reason why this book debuted at number one twisted. People like to question the power of Howard Stern since moving to Sirius but make no mistake about it, without Howard this book doesn’t go straight to number one… hell it probably would have never been written in the first place.

If you are looking for an affordable gift that any fan of Artie or the Stern Show would love this holiday season, look no further then Too Fat To Fish on sale now for only $13.72 (45% off!). Just in case you missed Artie on his late night circuit book tour, we have the videos of his interviews on Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel right in the forums.