Will Sirius Renew Bubba The Love Sponge
It seems like it was only a short time ago that Bubba The Love Sponge resigned with Sirius, but it was in fact in December of 2007, and was a one year term. This means that Bubba’s current deal, which also allows him to have a show on terrestrial radio is set to expire in just under two months.
In the past, contract time for Bubba has meant listeners had to endure rants and raves from him on how he is not getting respect, or not getting enough money. It was that type of ranting that led me to tune Bubba out last year. Core Bubba fans go along with the rants of Bubba, but to casual listeners, it had a turn-off and tune out effect. I had many readers indicate that they were just tired of listening to Bubba complain, and it seemed that Sirius was not thrilled with Bubba’s tactics either.
As contract time rolls around, it will be interesting to see exactly what Bubba does. We don’t want to hear about “iPod Willey”, or complaints about how much Mad Dog Russo is being paid. We want to hear the Bubba show without all of the contract drama. Can Bubba keep it real? Can he separate the contract from the show? That will be interesting to see.
Bubba does have a core group of fans that is passionate. What he needs is to grow his audience on a continual basis. The connection we saw with the Stern show early on seems to have faded. There is not as much talk on Stern about what is happening on Bubba. Personally, I think the happenings just before the last contract signing alienated Bubba in many ways. He alienated himself from Sirius, Stern, and his casual listeners. Yes, the core fans enjoyed the show and will say that Bubba simply speaks his mind. However, this is business, and sometimes in business speaking your mind on the air will not help your cause. Bubba needs to understand listener sentiment on the current economy, and know that hearing a millionaire complain about money will not resonate with listeners.
With the merger now complete, there are many things that can be considered. The number of Shock Jocks has doubled, and this gives Sirius XM options. I do not see Opie and Anthony on Stern channels, but could it be possible to see Ron and Fez? Or is it possible that someone else from terrestrial will make the move to satellite.
Now, I understand that what I am saying about Bubba may not be popular with the core fans, but it does need to be considered. The show can be funny and entertaining. However, once you lose a listener it is tough to get them back. Personally, I have listened to Bubba maybe 5 times in the past year. I switched to Jay Thomas on Sirius Stars 102. He is funny, topical, and handles contract time very casually. Thomas already appears on Stern’s channel on Friday mornings already, and goes head to head with Bubba in the afternoon.
Would I like to see Bubba re-signed?
Sure, if the deal makes business sense to all parties.
Do I think signing him is imperative?
No, core fans will be angered, but in the end, the company needs to weigh the value of Bubba against what he brings to the company.
Do i think a deal will be reached?
Yes.
Will Bubba tow the line and not start weeks of complaining?
This task may be harder than the deal negotiations, but i certainly hope he can just leave the negotiations to the back room.
Position – Long SIRI
Here’s your answer: Bubba the love what?! I say cut the fat.
They need to try to sign Bubba for the right price because he has a pretty nice following in the Floida area and he is a good fit for Stern and promoting Nascar.
I would imagine he has a loyal following of a few hundred thousand.
Zach Says: I say cut the fat.
LOL !
Bubba is on the stern channel is it not Howards
job to fill these 2 channels with programing as part of his package this is my understanding
$500 million and he fills these channels 24-7
Sign’em up Cheap! If not cut’em loose! I don’t like the whole “I am on terrestrial and SAT RAD thing!!!” Although they may not be worth an exclusive multi-year contract.
cut him, his show sucks, all he talks about is wrestling, who the fuck cares about brutis the barber beef cake and utlimate warrior.
RIGHT ON CHIZZLE
Who cares about Bubba the Love whatever. Giving yourself the name of an old used up birth control apparatus says it all. Cut Him Loose. Who Cares?????
I would not under estimate the following Bubba has. He has a huge following among truckers. Based on nothing scientific just my opinion, I would say he has close to if not 1 million listeners. I came to him via Howard and would have cancelled my sub if they didn’t sign him last year. I’m not a red neck and don’t drive a truck…I just like his show. I do get irritated when Howard claims he has nothing to do with Bubba’s contract. He says its between Bubba and Sirius…give me a break.
Perhaps a Sirius “investor” forum is not a place Bubba fans would read, post and voice their support. Again as a shareholder that owns way to many shares of this (because I think the product is unbelievably great)…DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE his power…again, jmo
Wow!!! I’m a shareholder who would never say I have way to many shares myself because I think the company, in showing good programming decision will eliminate non performing content. I don’t know if Bubba pays his way or not for me as an investor, and I could care less if Howard likes him, if he wants to stay he should prove that he pays his way. Show me the subscribers or the advertisers or I would show him the Door!! Get Real…..
By the way, I have 4 subscriptions in 3 cars and a home set up and have not found in 6 years any reason to change my listening habits to add Bubba to 1 second on my listening pleasure. Try harder or get the numbers or hit the road. As a shareholder an subscriber I could care less for Fringe entertainment unless your going to entertain me or make me money.
As only an occasionaly Bubba listener, I always enjoy the show when I have time to give it a listen. The more content, the more choices, the better for us. Sign him. Oh, and check out the ratings, he does better than anything on Sirius except Howard, and, if I remember correctly, he does better than ANYTHING on XM. So most of you are way underestimating his following.
Id they start cutting away the fat, who’s going to be left? Look, the music channels pretty much run themselves, keep your popular talent on the talk channels.
I agree Sterboski. I enjoy his show when i get to listen to it. Hes definitley “one of a kind.” Isnt that what we want? Talent that can not be found anywhere else. Id have to say Bubba is good for close to 400 thousand subs. The rednecks love him. He has a unique appeal as thats who we want. Hell Howard hand picked him for his channel. IMO his worth paying for.
Kent Says:
Sign’em up Cheap! If not cut’em loose! I don’t like the whole “I am on terrestrial and SAT RAD thing!!!” Although they may not be worth an exclusive multi-year contract……………
Mrwirez Says: DUMP the clones…. they go head to head with Howard, and it is THEIR show that is DULL, NOT EDGY, AND on FM at the SAME TIME as Sirius XM. Why is this watered down horse sh!t on the satellite air waves? Why Sirius XM subscribers must abide by CBS radio attorney’s rules…. CBS and O&A blow.
At least Bubba does TWO DIFFERENT shows.
Bubba has gone beyond anything for Sirius, he’s done live broadcast and has gone out to meet the listeners and subscribers of now Sirius-XM. Now I’m not talking about the Bubba Palooza’s I’m talking about radio broadcasts and meet & greets. I haven’t seen anyone who has but in as much time and dedication as Bubba and his staff has for Sirius-XM to be disrespected. Bubba and his staff are talented broadcasters and deserves the respect and the right contract from Sirius-XM. The man has paid he’s dues and deserves the respect and it only because of Sirius-XM the situation that has transpired with Bubba doing 2 shows daily. They wouldn’t respect him or pay him what he is owed and further more Bubba will not talk about his contract renewal only to say a few times the deadline is Oct 31, and has stated it’s not personal it’s business and understands if he isn’t resigned. So tune in this week to see is Bubba is resigned because the Bubba Army supports Bubba and his staff and are behind him in true Bubba Army Effect!
Bubba grows on you, I didn’t like the show at first but now I like it better then Howard… Pay up boys… Jackie the joke hunter, John the Stutter, etc.. are freakin jokes, Bubba is the Real deal, good stuff
to all you haters….after stern is gone in a couple years,,,who does sirius xm have …oppy and anthony, please…they need bubba,,,he is the best show on radio wright now and will be for a long time…howard is not for ever…sirius needs to put there money in the wright places not give it to fucking opra and john lennon channels…if bubba aint back im gone and i got 5 sub. im sure i aint the only one…bubba army bubba army bubba army…iggy iggy iggy.
Bubba gets ratings and Sirius knows it. He brings listeners. Do you think anyone signed up to Sirius for Maddog Russo?? Whom Sirius paid millions to. Jay Thomas is Horrible. When it is time for Howard to renew he will either retire or take pennies on the dollar to his old contract to renew.
Bubba should come back. He has a huge following and Howard said himself if Bubba doesn’t come back what the point of having two stations. He’ll get rid of some programing and move some to 100. If Bubba is gone hes a big part of my afternoon. Jay Thomas blows I don’t know how people can listen to him. KEEP BUBBA. Sirius-XM is stupid not too.