By Demian Russian
When Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) reached a new five-year deal with Howard Stern last December, details of the renegotiated contract were not disclosed. In contrast to Stern’s previous $500 million deal, of which details were made public, analysts, investors, and listeners alike were left to speculate about how much Stern cost Sirius XM this time around and what his new work schedule would be. Would he do less shows per week and be allotted more vacation time?
Since the new contract was reached Stern has continued his regular Monday through Thursday schedule, leading many to believe that his new deal with Sirius XM included the same work schedule as the previous contract, but in a new interview with Rolling Stone’s Neil Strauss, Howard Stern gives some color on the freedom of his new Sirius XM contract.
In the new interview Stern discussed his thoughts going into the December contract renewal. ”When it came down to sort of figuring out what I was really after, I was pretty sure I was going to leave the radio…I thought I’d kind of done what I needed to do. I still enjoyed it, but I also found that I wanted time to do some other things,” said Stern. “Right now, my schedule is pretty much the same as it’s always been. And then as time rolls on I’ll probably do about three shows a week,” Stern explained.
From Stern’s new comments during the Rolling Stone interview, it appears that his new contract with Sirius XM allows for a reduced work schedule of “about three shows a week.” In light of what appears to be a reduced work schedule for Stern in the new contract, did Sirius XM retain Howard Stern at a reduced rate this time around? Due to the new contract’s secrecy and the way Sirius XM’s balance sheet is structured, the answer to that question may never be known.
Disclosure: Long SIRI
Contact the author: DemianRussian@SatelliteRadioPlayground.com
This is not new news. Howard talked about this flexibility and reduced schedule on the day he announced the contract and interviews afterwards.
Muscle,
Did Stern go into any details about the new contract and describe that he would be moving to three days a week before this interview? Please show me where that was ever reported.
Said it the first day on air, as time goes by that the contract would have a lot more flexibility on scheduling. I remember him thanking Mel for that. Right after he addressed Bengie’s issue about 6AM start time which stayed. Most were thinking on Stern Fan Network this summer the reduced schedule.
Then I am not sure whether it was Piers or Lettermans show. I think it was Piers on CNN, he was asked directly about how much he was getting paid and his first comment was he will be working less and explaining how he was really getting a little more.
Then as every listener has already noticed the news starts at 9 every day now so the hours are also less per day.He was usually out at 11 now the show is ending 10. Howard even commented to Robin on air how it was nice to get out earlier every day and Robin agreed.
I don’t think there is one Stern fan that has followed this closely that doesn’t believe summer is where this begins since Howard and Beth have a place in the Hamptons.
Howard has mentioned the reduced scheduling many times publicly already. Its certainly not new. Maybe to those who don’t listen.
Muscle,
I appreciate your insight as an avid Howard Stern listener, but please show me where it was ever reported that Howard Stern would be moving to three days a week before this interview?
Demian – Howard has said he would be reducing his schedule publicly many times. Start at the 12:30 minute mark here on Piers’s show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7xArtqowfU&NR=1
I am not going to search the internet for more confirmations. You obviously don’t listen to the show.
12/9/10 SternFanNetwork reports
- The show will still start at 6am and run to 10am or later as it does now.
- for now it’s still 4 days a week but at some point that’s going to change. He says they’ve given him a new more flexible schedule.
http://www.sternfannetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=568023
If you search the threads there are about 20 or 30 threads discussing 3 day week since that announcement in December.
Funny! One of the posters even QUOTED Lisa G and Howard on the FIRST DAY of the announcement on 12/9/10. Stern fans are just so crazy
Here is the post
Lisa G: Will the show be 4 days a week?
Howard: There will be some flexibility with that.
so the whiners better not claim a bait ‘n’ switch when there are 3-day weeks
http://www.sternfannetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?p=20210526#post20210526
You can search the other threads since that date
“so the whiners better not claim a bait ‘n’ switch when there are 3-day weeks”
Just to be clear, the message board poster said that, not Howard.
Howard has stated many times on the show his future reduced schedule. It is common knowledge. Go look at the 20 or 30 threads on this on SFN
And then as time rolls on I’ll probably do about three shows a week,” Stern explained.
As time rolls on…………..sounds like something in the future. Or when he feels like it.
In my opinion Stern’s show started failing soon after his first 6 or 7 months, in his first year on satellite. Then when he started showing up only four day’s per week… it continued to decline. The lack of effort given to the radio show is apparent, and it’s inexcusable for management to pin so much of of their brand, (and the stockholders money) on this one personality.
He’s a lazy slacker and is costing the company millions due to his crappy work ethic.
He still brings in more subs than ANY other channel, and retains them.