Stern’s Uncertainty Could Bring The Best Shows Of His Career
Howard Sterns contract expires at the end of this year, and as each day passes, the subject gains more and more attention both on the show and in the media. Stern has several options and has now started talking about his potential future on the show.
Stern is a calculating individual, and more likely than not he is raising issues as part of the negotiation process. As news begins to spread that he may leave, retire, or take his career in another direction, there could well be some real good shows and guests in the future.
Stern has had some great guests over the years, and some others that people would love to see interviewed on the show. If people think that Stern is singing his swan song there could well be a built up demand to appear on one of the fifty or so shows remaining. It could wind up being like people wanting to appear with Johnny Carson before he retired. Having a Stern interview on your resume is something that could become fashionable.
In addition to guests, Stern could want to set up some great shows and stunts that will put an exclamation point on his career. Is it possible that he could finally persuade Eric The Midget to fly with balloons? The possibilities are endless, and the uncertainty of his contract status could be the mechanism to get some compelling shows on the air.
All of that being said, I think we will see Stern return, albeit with a shorter work week. The key is getting him included on the mobile platform. Stern mentioned possibilities of his own app, and while fans would appreciate that, it is important for Sirius XM to make that process available through their service. Look for that to be a key negotiating point for both parties.
Stern has options, but in the end he has made a home on satellite and in my opinion will continue his contract. From a consumer standpoint I want these negotiations to drag out and deliver great radio. From an investors standpoint, I want to know the status as soon as possible. Is there a happy medium? Perhaps we will know between mid September and mid October.
Position – Long Sirius XM Radio
Are you sure he’s not going to work for Pandora Spencer? (inside joke for those not fully aquainted with this site).
Count me among those who believes that a deal to re-up is all but finalized . . .
quoting Barrons:
“On a post-earnings conference call with investors, Sirius XM (SIRI) CEO Mel Karmazin said that before the company holds its September quarter call with the Street, it hopes “to have an announcement as to what is going on” with the status of radio personality Howard Stern, who left broadcast radio for Sirius in 2006.”
Quoting PandoraBuzz, er ah, I mean SiriusBuzz:
“Over the past week Mel Karmazin has been meeting with Sterns agent Don Buchwald. Buchwald is the cream of the crop when it comes to the world of media. He does not waste time with face to face meetings unless negotiations have progressed to a point that merit going over the final details. Combine this with the fact that Stern is on vacation this week, and it seems like a good bet that Sirius XM and Stern could be putting the final touches on a new deal. Some speculate that a deal is already done, but if that were the case, an 8K would have been filed announcing the news. The likely situation is that Stern, Buchwald and Karmazin are hammering out details now, and that we could see an announcement earlier than most anticipate. Karmazin stated at the Q2 conference call that the company hoped to have news on the deal prior to the Q3 conference call (early November).”
Corporate Politics 101
Stern’s really playing this smart. On Monday I’m sure he’s back, by Thurs. I’m doubtful. Masterful teasing. After today I’m thinking it’s the money and the new wave of tec. that’s coming. Sounds like he wants 3 days a week for either the same money or more money plus a reassurance that sat. radio is not going the way of the beta max. I say give him the money, within reason, and offer him some head of talent duties. He obviously knows what works on radio. If he could get the rest of sirius/xm channels to be half as interesting as his channels people wouldn’t want sirius/xm they’d need sirius/xm.
Howard let slip today he was going to do some type of show no matter where that is. So retirement is out of the question he said so himself. To ask for a 3 day week at the same or even more money is ridiculous. I hope he leaves and tries his show where he must do it on his merits he’s good but lets see how good; Sirius will be fine without him. Sure some subs will leave but my prediction is not as many as Howard thinks.
“real good shows”- What, are you writing for a fifth grade class?
I dumbed it down just for you……just kidding