After much back and forth, will they won’t they coverage of the Sirius XM vs. Stern saga, 5-years proved to be only the halfway point in their relationship, as Stern re-upped with the satellite radio provider for another 5-year deal, with details not disclosed. With Stern back in-tow, alongside new addition Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Oprah and more, Sirius boasts a lineup of prominent personalities who have defected from the FCC regulated airwaves of traditional radio. So what? There’s certainly nothing wrong with poaching the biggest names in broadcast, after all, radio success is built on nurturing a following of regular listeners. As loyalty develops, so do fame and ratings, thus it follows the easy way to gain listeners is to purchase their talent and, in turn, their listeners.In the early days of satellite radio, this strategy made sense. The promising technology boasted plenty of advantages over its FM/AM and network counterparts, through an abundance of channels and commercial free programming. What satellite companies needed was a big draw to make the subscription fees worth the consumer’s while. Once the audience became accustomed to the subscription fee and experienced firsthand the benefits of satellite radio, it would seem as if the top-paid talent in the world would no longer be necessary. However, while its on-air employees have had no problem building a loyal fan-base over the years, it seems as if fans of the service itself or more fickle. Having satellite for the benefits of Sirius XM itself, doesn’t appear to be a sticking point. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Radio News’ Category
Get Ready to Read Radio November 17th, 2010
Detractors who say traditional radio has reached its full potential should be prepared to expand their minds and invite in a little innovation. To say AM/FM will never reach new audiences or penetrate new markets is little more than nave thinking. This could not be more readily apparent than with what the Harris Corporation and Towson University have accomplished in developing radio access for deaf listeners. Designed to be used by in-commute car passengers, the device will allow for the driver to have helpful GPS on the left side with the right side streaming captioned radio in a clearly readable, and accurate manner for the hearing impaired passenger. National Public Radio helped to develop the concept, hoping for deaf listeners to finally be privy to the insightful discussions taking place on NPR every day. Though this soundless radio will obviously not translate to music, from sports talk to current events, those hard of hearing will suddenly be a part of a traveling situation which has been more exclusive than inclusive in the past. As drivers (well, good drivers at least) need two hands on the steering wheel in order effectively navigate an automobile, sign language inside a vehicle is obviously difficult and not recommended. This leavings hearing impaired passengers sitting in silence with little to do. Much like an advanced version of closed captioned television, what is said on the radio will instantly be spelled out on the screen. (more…)
Proof Radio Leaves a Lasting Mark October 3rd, 2010
Many advertisers stress concern that the radio doesn’t hold the same persuasive influence as say television. David Johnathan Winkleman, an apparent listener of 93 Rock, “The Quad City Rocker,” has made it is personal objective to disprove this theory. In the year 2000, when one of 93 Rock’s disc jockeys jokingly offered a 6 figure payday to anyone willing to tattoo the radio stations logo and call letters across their forehead, Winkleman didn’t take it as an on-air personality goofing around, rather his eyes rolled over with dollar signs. After he and his stepson, Richard Goddard, forever emblazoned with the same scarlet letter, made a quick trip to the tattoo parlor, they headed to KORB radio headquarters to collect their reward.Unfortunately for Winkleman and Goddard, the station informed them that they had no intention of paying. The men were merely victims of their own gullibility. After trying to claim their money in a court of law, ultimately to no avail, the pair has been forced to live out their days with a daily reminder in every reflection not to believe everything you hear on the radio. The anonymity came to a crashing end last week when Winkleman was arrested for a misdemeanor charge in Iowa, as before long his mug shot found its way across social networking sites nationwide, easily viewable with just a quick image search for “radio tattoo.” (more…)
Picking sides in the Stern Sirius Split (the case for Stern) October 1st, 2010
On Stern’s side of the satellite radio divide, the crystal ball is foggy is best. There is no doubt Stern can survive with censors breathing down his neck, after all, it’s not like his long running show on E! was allowed to bare all. Satellite radio, however, offered a plethora of possibility for the most controversial voice on the airwaves. He will be hard-pressed to find a situation more uniquely catered to his every beckon call. Would Stern take his talent to the traditional FM/AM market? There’s a better chance Conan O’Brien stars in a new fall NBC pilot. It’s tough to imagine Stern taking step back to any medium with limited range of motion, he has quite simply come too far. While a return to cable may be a long shot, television all together is not out of the picture. Were the right deal to come along for, say, a half hour on HBO, it could be tough to turn down. (more…)
Picking sides in the Stern Sirius Split (the case for Sirius) September 29th, 2010
For the past 5 years, Howard Stern has called Sirius Satellite radio home, with 100 million dollars to show for it. However, at the end of the year, Stern’s contract with serious finally comes to close and has yet to be renewed, as speculation is already underway on whether Sirius intends to re-sign their top billed talent. It raises the question, “What would Sirius look like without Stern leading the radio personality charge?” or better yet, “What would Stern look like 5 years removed from the shackles of censorship?”From a Sirius standpoint, 100 million is a lot of “straight cash homey,” in the timeless words of Randy Moss. At the onset of satellite radio, Stern was essential in bringing in new clientele and heightening the company’s profile. Now as more mature business, complete with a broad consumer base, Sirius perhaps can allocate such funds more efficiently, as opposed to spending such an exorbitant sum on a big name attraction. Sirius is past the point of making a splash, with Howard Stern serving as their main “Hey, look at us” calling card. Now, it might be time to use his salary to hire a host of radio personalities spanning a wider variety of viewpoints, culminating in a more complete radio experience. (more…)
