Will Howard Stern Sign New Deal with iTunes?

By Christine Fenno Posted Dec 5th 2010 07:00PM

Do you hear what we hear? That's the sound of millions of loyal Howard Stern fans saying: Just tell us where to find him in the new year, already!

The shock jock has been in negotiations for a new contract with Sirius XM Radio (his multi-year, $500 million deal expires at year's end), but there still isn't news from the company about renewing the partnership. The silence on a new contract means the network is missing the chance to snap up new subscriptions this holiday season, and many believe it's a surefire signal that Sirius is seriously in trouble, i.e., about to lose their biggest star.

In the meantime, a rumor that Apple could snag the self-proclaimed "King of All Media" in a new $600 million deal has suddenly gained major traction.

But would a raunchy radio star like Stern, famous for his NSFW banter and porn star interviews, be a successful fit within Steve Jobs' clean, conservative corporation? On the iPad (which "Apple wants to keep family friendly," according to The Wrap.com), strict policies already govern how content is presented. How will things change at Apple with Stern on board?

And how many Sirius XM subscribers would jump ship to follow their hero -- currently heard four days a week on the satellite network -- over to a new format of iTunes streams?

With the FCC scrutiny that will follow Stern wherever he lands, if he even departs Sirius at all (an industry analyst at bnet.com suggests the rumor is just a ploy for publicity, or a negotiating tactic generated by the radio star's own team), it's sure to be a gamble, albeit a potentially very lucrative one, for everyone involved.

Tags: Apple, howard stern, iTunes, Sirius

Comments

(49)

Sunday 05 December

By BADSAINT

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i HAVE BEEN A HOWARD FAN SINCE THE LATE 80'S, FROM NBC ON. BUT AFTER WHILE, THIS GETS OLD. FIRST SIRUS, NOW ITUNES.....GONE ARE THE DAYZ WHEN WE VIEWED HOWARD AS JUST ONE OF THE GUYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WE GOT. KIDS, LACK OF MARRIED SEX, JERKY BOSSES, ETC, ETC. THAT IS WHY MANY OF US LOVED HOWARD....NOW, IT'S ALL BOUT THE MONEY

By Hannah

You got that right...I've been listening since NBC days too. Today's show is NOTHING like the show of the 80's and 90's. His greed and constant whining about taxes speaks volumes about where he's at now....just another past his prime rich white guy that knows little of the world outside his Hamptons mansion/NYC penthouse apt. life. I will not be following him to a podcast but I will keep my Sirius subscription just to spite him.

By Scootrbum

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Howard who!?

By nigel mayer

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I like coffee and you like tea. Big deal!
No you don't have to be a Howard fan, but don't bash the guy because the general consensus is he's trash radio. If you've ever listend to his show you'll know he's not homophobic, (like some people think), he's not a racist and he does put out a show that appeals to most of us with any sort of sense of humor...ok sometime maybe twisted sense of humor but nothing too serious. I hate these radio personalities that hypnotize their listeners with their conservative issues, but I don't go around bashing them. That's their perogative and the idiots who listen to them. No-one forces you to listen to Howard, Robin and Fred, but don't bash them because they are the most sucessful team in radio history....yes that's right! Whine about what he's making, he's worth every penny and worked very hard for it. You're just jealous.
I rely on Howard to make my day start out with a chuckle which is what everyone out to do each and everyday before they go to work in a bad mood.
GO HOWARD
Nigel Mayer of San Diego

By RobRocket

This is A TESt to see IF I can POST?

By Bob A. Buoy

Hmmm Maybe Sirius could play the Podcasts....

Where's HBO's play in all this...Howard should just do interviews and Robin should just do the new because the rest of the show is just fill time for his Sycophants, Low Life's and un funny hanger's on...Sal are you listening..?

Bob A. Booey..

By laurelmony

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

All great societies have crumbled from within and part of it is they lost their morals.

Stern is a pornographer who currupts our society, all for money. The almighty dollar.

Guess where he will go when he dies? All that money won't mean a thing down there. Eternity.

By wolf

Howard Stern is Low Life Trash and so Are all of His Bottom Feeding Low Life FANS.

By stu

he's nothing more than an over pd dj! just like ryan seacrest.
any 5th grader could do their jobs.

By me

Bonzo the chimp could do Robins job.

By Steve

Drezo42 you said it perfect! Not to mention he's the best interviewer on the planet!

By jeffgis12b

BUBBY ARMY !!!

By g3user1usa

I'm surprised that Apple would want him because of how crude and immoral his image is. I merely figured that Apple is trying to deliver a clean cut image to Apple users. I know that the App Store doesn't allow porn or X-rated sort of apps. So unless Apple censors Howard Stern I wouldn't think he'd be allowed. I'd rather Apple continue promoting it's G-rated image. Let Google have him since they don't have much of a problem with smut. Too bad for Apple though, because I'm sure he'd attract a lot of followers and make quite a bit of revenue for Apple.

By Chris L

Hey,

I listen to Howard every day on the way to work. I also listen to alot of the other Sirius channels. I will not move from Sirius to any other pay service. If Howard moves to another service and screws Sirius in the process it would be wrong. They had a deal and they both made out. Sirius went out on a limb spending that kind of money. I know I won't make in a lifetime what he makes in a month. How can I even relate to his problems about money that he constantly moans about. If he leaves, guess what.."Nice knowin' ya, you greedy bastard".

By FordF350

Stern is a great entertainer, great interviewer and sirrius would be foolish to let him go. He is the #1 draw for satellite radio and already has a huge audience whether you like him or not. He has been around a very long time in a very tough business. I will follow him , but would prefer that he stays where he is at.

By Geo

Pay for radio? Are you Sirius?

By NavyF350

To all the Stern haters, Stern is on satellite radio and makes it no secret that his show is an adult themed radio show. If you listen to satellite radio, you are paying to listen and have a finger to turn the channel if you do not like him. His career has spanned many decades and he has written a few best selling books, made a great movie that he acted in and has to be one of the greatest interviewers in the business.If you don't like him ,simple..... don't listen and don't lump all his audience as being immature. Many listeners are middle aged and professionals and have been fans for decades .

By F JACKIE

LONG LIVE THE KING OF ALL MEDIA, MILLIONS OF LOYAL FANS, WE LOVE YOU HOWARD YOU HAVE BEEN A PIONEER AND MANY RADIO PEOPLE WISH THEY HAD YOUR TALENT

Monday 06 December

By libby

Howard is great!

By J

I listen to Stern on SIRIUS. But if he leaves, I will gladly continue to pay for SIRIUS and I won't follow him to iTunes. I had SIRIUS before him and I'll have it forever.

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