What Will Howard Do? Stern's Contract Up in Six Months

By Jo Piazza Posted Jul 2nd 2010 01:00PM

Howard Stern's contract expires on Dec. 31, 2010, and after that he will be an unrestricted free agent. He'll be free to re-sign a contract with Sirius XM Radio, free to retire, free to return to terrestrial radio or free to start an entirely new career. Free to judge 'American Idol'? Yes, but that probably won't happen (even though we think he's the perfect choice).

So what will he do? That's what millions of fans are dying to know.

Howard recently said on his show that the end of the calendar year is really not a deadline for him to leave Sirius. There is a possibility that he could begin going month-to-month and figure things out in 2011. Howard has said that if he were to stay, he wants to negotiate a later start time for the show, but Sirius execs aren't too pleased about that idea. That much at least shows the two sides are talking about possibly moving forward together.

Stern's longtime fan base remains exceedingly loyal and they, along with Sirius, have made him a very wealthy man. According to the recently released Forbes Celebrity 100, Howard made $70 million this past year. Sirius pays him $100 million annually and he pays his show's production costs out of his own pocket.

But we know Howard isn't in this for the money, at this point.

If Howard wishes to stay in broadcasting, he has options outside of satellite radio. He could even go into business for himself.

"I think he should move over to a web-based show. That way, you wouldn't need any special equipment to listen to him, most cell phones already have Internet on them. So you get in your car, plug your phone in, instant Howard," says Stern's former program director at WXRC, Anthony Michaels. "You can go to the gym, plug headphones in, you get Howard, at work at home, as long as you have Internet, you get the show. If Howard charges $4.99 a month for his site, and just 2 million people follow him, that's $10 million a month."

The benefits of going into business for himself? No boss, no FCC regulation, no mandated start time. It would be Howard on demand when Howard wants to do it.

If he goes with this option, how will he lure in listeners? On his last day at Sirius, he could always announce that Artie Lange will be making his return on Howard's web-based show in January and get them psyched for an Artie tell-all.

Internet and HD radio are edgy right now, and Howard could be exactly what they need to start making some serious inroads with audiences, but heading back to terrestrial radio could just be the best move for Stern, and no one would fault him for returning.

"The Sirius experiment was interesting and fun, but Howard's audience wants to have less bills and not more. His best bet is to go back to terrestrial radio. He can go back any day without apologies," says Cooper Lawrence, host of the syndicated 'Cooper Lawrence Show.' "He is always welcome. He is iconic and has changed the face of radio. He should go for terrestrial with syndication. That's where the money is for him -- without him having to nickel-and-dime his fan base."

There has been speculation that Stern will leave radio altogether to become a host on 'American Idol,' replacing departing judge Simon Cowell in the fall.

But Stern's wife, Beth Ostrosky, revealed to People magazine this week that as much as she would love to see her husband judging the show, she doesn't think it is likely to happen.

Radio insiders say that whatever Stern's next project, he will manage to find a way to keep his long-loyal staff employed and very involved in his life.

"While it may look like Stern's staff has no idea what he is up to from the outside, this group is like a family and they have access to way more information than we know. But they're loyal. Why do you think things never get leaked," one longtime radio producer told us. "He will be taking care of them."

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Tags: artie lange, beth ostrosky, howard stern

Comments

(312)

Friday 02 July

By Reggie

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Howard will do whatever he wants. I'm guessing that answers your question.

Sunday 11 July

By midge

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Stern made a living degrading women and promoting filthy language. pigs go to pig sties.

Saturday 10 July

By myviewok

Straight to hell would be a deserving direction for Howard.

By C.L. Wilson

Howard Stern is a sick man. The same can be said for his followers.

By hanksmad

It is an idiot to guess what a man will do next. Why not go to enjoy yourself on amecam.

By Andy

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Long time listener and maybe straight to hell I go according to some of you. I hope he doesnt retire because he and his show have brought alot of laughter to me throughout the years. Not everyone finds the same things entertaining, but he is entertaining to me.

By Ronald Myers

Get a "Nose Job"

By King David

I have it on good authority that Howard is going to start a religion/church. He is going to take over the old Flip Wilson's "Church of What's Happening Now" and he will lead his followers to the Promised Land, or Cleveland. Remember where you heard it first...

By Greendayer

Glad to hear he's still around. I thought he retired years ago. I think it would be good if he returned to radio and TV. He used to be pretty funny.

By wil2660

Maybe he'll shoot himself and help clean up America.

By Heartbreak Kid

Hey, why don't you do the same thing? Unlike Howard, you probably won't be missed.............

Saturday 03 July

By roseanne523

Your so right wil2660 lets clean up America by suggesting suicide. Here's a better idea why don't you lead by example.

By butters607

i couldnt agree more, the best part of him ran down his mommas leg at birth

By Victoria

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I will second that vote, Wil. Thanks

By charles

That would be nice,out of the country
even better!!!

By Cliff

Howard can do whatever he wants, but to clean up this country and make it prosperous again, it's going to take everyone to turn to God. After all, the morals of this country have been on a downward spiral for decades. God is fed up with our immoral behavior and has withdrawn His blessings on this once great nation. Protect yourself from His wrath and get right with God. God Bless You all and "Love One Another" - bit.ly/9Aj7k8

By goawaystern

The world would be a better place WITHOUT him. he is the WORST disgusting tiny man.. hope he gets lost..

By J

Why doesn't howard stearn use some of his money and purchase a tooth-brush,Then pay for lessons on how to use it ! His dental hygene
sux,Green teeth and all !!!!

By rex

personally i would like to see him run for public office
the man is very intelligent, he has enough money where he wouldnt have to take bribes fron anyone or do them favors.
he could tell all the lobbyists to take a hike.
you may think about it as a half brained idea, but just think about his ideas over the years and if you can sort thru the garbage you will see that he could be exactly what this country needs in office

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree rex and Howard did run for office back during his early K-ROCK days. I believe it was for Governor of NY. However he dropped out of the race due to a disagreement with certain financial disclosure rules. I remember how disappointed a lot of us were that he didn't see it through. If I can find some info on it I will try to post it for anyone who is interested.

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