Howard Stern signs for $500 million.

[Buzz]

I guess you think that's worth a 1/2 billion a year?

Can he do anything else?

[ruggbutt]

I guess you think that's worth a 1/2 billion over 5 years?

Fixed.

Can he do anything else?

When he joined Sirius they had 600k subscribers. XM had something along the line of 4 million. Sirius subscriptions took off, they hit something like 6 million in a year and a half. Subscribers kept joining because of him (Sirius recognizes that publicly). About 3 years in to the first 5 year deal XM was taking huge hits in subscriptions while Sirius kept enjoying more and more subscribers. XM was absorbed by Sirius in a merger and now Sirius/XM have over 20 million subscribers (at $14 a month).

Stern's paycheck doesn't even affect Sirius as they make more advertising revenue (Stern still has commercials, but only about 8 minutes an hour compared to 22 an hour for terrestrial radio) than what it costs to keep him. He is Sirius/XM and had he left after this current contract was up Sirius/XM would have been in dire straights. For instance, Stern produces about 20 hours of new material a week from his show alone. He has other talent on both of his channels and there is always new content daily besides Stern and the other talent.

Is he worth the $50mil? You'll notice Sirius didn't try to get him cheaper for another 5 years in this downturned economy. He's worth every penny. I've had Sirius for 5 years and it kicks ass. However, I would not have renewed my subscription at $14/month if he had left. There are tons of others who feel the way I do. Google search is your friend.

[Buzz]

Next time answer the question. Having followers like you sucking his tit is not a talent.

Can he do anything else?

[ruggbutt]

Next time answer the question. Having followers like you sucking his tit is not a talent.

No one is sucking his tit. And you don't give a fuck what the answer is, you're gonna be negative regardless what anyone says. So I'm done with you.

[Buzz]

Ahh cmon Ruggs. You used to put up a better fight than that.

I don't give a rats ass about Howard. I just wanted to see if I could get you going. You were almost polite and then you quit. WTF?

[Pudfark]

It would seem Buzz.....your not the "lay"......that you used to be.......

It's either that.....or Rugg needs more foreplay......

[callmeslick]

I'm not particularly a Billy Joel fan, but as RD said it was awesome. Whether or not you like Howard, he manages to get people to discuss things in an interview that no one else can.

that much is true, and I do enjoy Howard, but I guess I got spoiled.....I used to listen to him in the really formative stage in Hartford (way back), and later, when he first came to NYC. Commercial interruptions? Sure, but Howard made some of them near-classic, going off-script so badly on live copy that you could laugh until you cried. I still appreciate his talent, but some of the magic just isn't there for me.

[Dawg]