SIRI intraday and weekend thread Friday 6-19-09

I just want to see the contract for myself so bad, it must be masterful. I just dont know how you word it to exclude cell phones when cell phones are just like computers now. If I browse the internet through my iphone over a wifi network then how is that any different then streaming through my computer? I have a funny feeling that it is more then just cell phones but a combination of cell+mobile. That being said, who says I cant walk around with my laptop or better yet, a tiny netbook, and listen to Sirius XM through wifi or even better... with a mobile network card plugged in.

The point being is, you can mix and match all of these services, yet only two of them are legal?

cell phone = cell service
cell phone = wifi
laptop = cell service
laptop = wifi

There are netbooks now all over the place that are far less powerful then the new iPhones as far as computing goes so, how in the hell do you write that contract?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SiriusBuzz

I just want to see the contract for myself so bad, it must be masterful. I just dont know how you word it to exclude cell phones when cell phones are just like computers now. If I browse the internet through my iphone over a wifi network then how is that any different then streaming through my computer? I have a funny feeling that it is more then just cell phones but a combination of cell+mobile. That being said, who says I cant walk around with my laptop or better yet, a tiny netbook, and listen to Sirius XM through wifi or even better... with a mobile network card plugged in.

The point being is, you can mix and match all of these services, yet only two of them are legal?

cell phone = cell service
cell phone = wifi
laptop = cell service
laptop = wifi

There are netbooks now all over the place that are far less powerful then the new iPhones as far as computing goes so, how in the hell do you write that contract?

---

Very carefully. LOL
Hes lawyer must be brillant. I dont know how, but maybe it was added in the internet deal, that this did NOT include cell phone apps, as it was closer to them being a reality than when he signed orginally years ago. If thats the case, why not just negotiate out the app money at that time. I suppose if you are Howards agent, it makes sense to wait. Then, you can better access how much to ask for. Maybe his agent wanted to see how many apps would sign up without him, using that as even more bargaining power. See Mel, you only got 30000 new subs from the music and talk radio content side. You want to add Howard now for my price?If this is his agents tactic, judging by how many free downloads hit, this MIGHT have backfired a bit. But we wont know until we know how many of those free trials downloads were carried over into new 2.99 charges, or simply a complete new sub altogether.

UGH. After my previous post, I am realizing that it has nothing to do with the device itself. Stern holds the rights to his name, likeness, logos, and those channel names. All he has to say is that they can not be used in the application. Don't know why I didn't see that from minute 1.

Just getting the negotiations over with and guaranteeing that Howard will be with SIRI for the next 5 years will help the stock regardless of his involvement with iPhone app. His potential departure next year is a cloud hanging over this company.

[QUOTE=jonpluc@aol.com;37341][QUOTE=underway;37329]You are correct. But, in the end, Howard may kill the golden goose. He's big stuff now, no question. But, his popularity flame is not eternal.Eventually, he'll become less of a draw. It's inevitable with media talent. Sure, they always have popularity to some degree, but all of them peak and then their star wanes.

Quote:

---

Sterns been going strong for almost 30 years, im pretty sure he has passed the hes just a fad stage 2 decades ago.




Why would he do that? Assuming that despite the fact he has sold some shares, he is probably one of the largest current single shareholders in the company even still.



His show on E! was E!s #1 rated program.



Do more? You mean do more then bring subscriptions from 600,000 when he signed on to 9 million? (Siri alone) What more do you expect him to do? Hold guns to peoples head and make them buy subscriptions? He does have a gazillion shares that are now worth less then 10% of what they were valued at when Siri paid him in the shares. This is why im guessing he will resign for another 2 or 3 years. He bought a house and a lifestyle based on a 100 million a year income and ended up with far far less then that once you factor in the stock drop.

---

I didn't say he was a fad. That's totally different. Some of the American Idol performers are fads. Rock stars with 'one hit wonders' as well. I said he's no different than other big stars with respect to popularity peaks. I'm not saying he's on his way out. But, even he knows he will reach a point where his draw will begin to slide. It happens to every star at some point....obviously, some worse than others. True, his SIRI stock isn't worth much (we're all a member of that club!) now. And, yes, there's always the strong argument that cash in hand is always best. But, there are limits to the cash, and that's my point. If he pushes too hard, and SXM either will refuse and let him walk (not good for SXM now), or, they cave and pay him even more $ and make their financial situation even worse. Tough call. I think a fundamental question I'd want to know if I were SXM management would be how many MORE subs do they think he can draw? Has the HOWARD factor hit a stable number with little sub growth, and therfore, SXM can't get return on huge increases in $ to Howard. And, how many subs will they lose if he bolts? All of them, half of them, what? All tough calls to make. He's got a good gig at SXM. Leaving and starting over has its negatives for a guy like him. He might not want to fail and go out with a whimper. That's a risk, to his money, and more to his ego.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SiriusBuzz

UGH. After my previous post, I am realizing that it has nothing to do with the device itself. Stern holds the rights to his name, likeness, logos, and those channel names. All he has to say is that they can not be used in the application. Don't know why I didn't see that from minute 1.

---

Good point. I think the original wording on his original contract was written by a genius lawyer. They set it up that way on purpose to exploit ever evolving technologies that could add value to Howards wallet.
Lets face it. Even Howard Stern fans know he is no different than anyone else in the world. He wants to make as much money as he can. Nothing wrong with that. Hes proven to be a bonus financially to the company, and he knows that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SiriusBuzz

UGH. After my previous post, I am realizing that it has nothing to do with the device itself. Stern holds the rights to his name, likeness, logos, and those channel names. All he has to say is that they can not be used in the application. Don't know why I didn't see that from minute 1.

---

i tried to tell you to wait a little bit before commenting and knowing all the
facts but noooooooooooooooooooooo you had to talk and talk and talk.:D

What i don't get and maybe no one heard him say it on his show. The week before the "Turn Stern on" free week to XM subscribers Howard said "I told Mel, why don't you just offer me for free" I don't believe Howard chose to not be on the iphone app unless it is part of a bigger scheme.

The simplest solution is that Mel wants to see how many new subs the iphone app can bring without howard, first. Then how many more once howard is added.

And again, bad publicity is still publicity. How many Stern protests and bad headlines were there when he was on terra? That is what made him "SHOCK JOCK"

Man I can't wait until he is on so we can stop talking about it because this was not an "epic fail" imo, but a cleverly planned free marketing blitz that worked perfectly.

90% of americans do not listen to howard stern, but now they know they can get Watercolors, Shade 45, coffee house, live concerts etc etc etc on their iphones....wake up people...PLEASE!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by imromo24

What i don't get and maybe no one heard him say it on his show. The week before the "Turn Stern on" free week to XM subscribers Howard said "I told Mel, why don't you just offer me for free" I don't believe Howard chose to not be on the iphone app unless it is part of a bigger scheme.

The simplest solution is that Mel wants to see how many new subs the iphone app can bring without howard, first. Then how many more once howard is added.

And again, bad publicity is still publicity. How many Stern protests and bad headlines were there when he was on terra? That is what made him "SHOCK JOCK"

Man I can't wait until he is on so we can stop talking about it because this was not an "epic fail" imo, but a cleverly planned free marketing blitz that worked perfectly.

---

Damn, see i like this idea too. Thats POSSIBLE. But money is usually always the answer to any question. :D
But I hope your right. I just dont think so. I think it has everything to do with timing. They are right now talking numbers. Mel MAY have been stubborn, and wanted to show Stern that they could launch a successful iphone app without his name attatched. But is Mel that stupid? To risk pissing off Howard? Did I just ask that? LOL Of course Mel is stupid. Or a genius. No in between. The genius arguement however, is lacking evidence right now. LOL

Am i the only one here confused about the new app business model? Even if they add Stern, they are still charging $3 a month even if your a full subscriber to have access. Why not just download Pocket Tunes pay 9.99 once and done and you have the same service for no monthly fee? What am i missing here?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by imromo24

90% of americans do not listen to howard stern, but now they know they can get Watercolors, Shade 45, coffee house, live concerts etc etc etc on their iphones....wake up people...PLEASE!

---

99 percent dont.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jonpluc@aol.com

Am i the only one here confused about the new app business model? Even if they add Stern, they are still charging $3 a month even if your a full subscriber to have access. Why not just download Pocket Tunes pay 9.99 once and done and you have the same service for no monthly fee? What am i missing here?

---

A lot.
1. The fee must be paid by all new subscribers upon activating a new subscription.
2. The fee must be paid by all old contracts that want to renew(this fee can be avoided by pre paying ahead)
3. If you want the internet stream or the iphone app, you must pay the 2.99.
Adding 20 unique channels to these two streams in an ATTEMPT to justify the charge. Internet still has Howard on it, of course.
Heres where people were mad.
Older contracts that avoided the internet charge are finding out now they are NOT premium customers. They are pissed because they are lifers. They prepaid ahead. Sorry, but they prepayed ahead too early. The internet offering is new now, as is the iphone app. New subs pay for this mobility whethere they want it or not.
If any of this is wrong, please correct me.

No, the question asked was about Pocket Tunes vs. new SXM app. Why would people pay per month using new SXM app when they can pay one time fee for Pocket Tunes and still get the same content? I'm just re-stating the question. I don't know how it works with Pocket Tunes or what it offers.

Also....does anyone know if Pandora, Slacker, Pocket Tunes, etc, allow the iPhone user to receive and send txt messages, or take phone call, when those apps are running? Reviewers of SXM app say can't do that with this app. That's a problem, but not so much if the others can't either. Anyone know?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by relmor2003

Heres where people were mad.
Older contracts that avoided the internet charge are finding out now they are NOT premium customers. They are pissed because they are lifers. They prepaid ahead. Sorry, but they prepayed ahead too early.

---

Im still confused. Im an old lifer(got my sub day HS went on air) and im not mad at all. I paid no extra for anything, i have internet access of course for free and by paying 9.99 for Pocket Tunes once i still never have to pay any monthly fees ever and have Howard on iphone.

we are now #3 on the top downloaded Free apps up 3 spots from yesterday (and obviously therefore #1 in music) (without howard, lol lol lol:D)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jonpluc@aol.com

Im still confused. Im an old lifer(got my sub day HS went on air) and im not mad at all. I paid no extra for anything, i have internet access of course for free and by paying 9.99 for Pocket Tunes once i still never have to pay any monthly fees ever and have Howard on iphone.

---

I thought the pocket tunes app for Howard was unauthorized? And it was not a live broadcast? And was going to be turned off? Then you must be grandfathered in with the interent then . But for the iphone, these lifers were reporting they were not able to get it because they were not premium customers.

ok guys this is simple, you still have to pay for a sub and a premium fee to listen to pocket tunes, on top of the 1 time fee you pay to pockettunes themselves, its not like pockettunes gets around having to have a subscription, all it does is allow people to browse and go onto xm or sirius's internet stream, which does have howard. this will be stopped somehow, im sure siri is working on it. the point is though it is not hurting siri because people will still have to sign up and pay siri even to hear it over pocket tunes, but yes this will hurt siri's own app, cause people will realize they can hear howard on the iphone if they use this other non official app they will go to that im sure instead of siri's.

no relmor, pocket tunes is an app for iphone that lets u pretty much go online and browse ur way to xm or sirius's website and listen through their website like u would on a pc. it is live. you might be thinking of that pirated version uploaded to itunes yesterday that apple somehow missed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lloyd Handwerker

Congress just passed "cash for clunkers" bill. People can trade in old cars that
get below 18 MPG and get a voucher for up to $4,500 toward a purchase of a
new car that gets better mileage. There are a # of details which i havent explained so go online and read the fine print. The point is that the car companies were pushing for this as they expect it to spur new car sales.
It should be a definite positive for SXM.

---

The great part is that none of the clunkers likely have Sirius/XM built into them and they will be replaced with mostly sat radio pre-installed or as an option, especially if someone owned a plug and play receiver already.

Too bad my 2000 Bonneville clunker died 2 months ago and I already was forced to get a new lease before this promotion.