Thursday, July 10, 2014 11:54:53 AM
I have to disagree as to your assertion that O&A's numbers were declining on terrestrial radio. They were #1 in morning drive when they went out (both times, 2002 and the last time).
The issue with terrestrial radio is that the FCC has extremely vague "indecency" rules and absurd fines for violations thereof ($350k per incident PER STATION, which is truly absurd) -- these fines were increased in the early 2000's from ~$5k to $350k.
Vague laws lead to uneven enforcement (because the notion of "indecency" is subjective -- it's in the mind of the beholder). So it's hard to blame radio stations for not wanting to push the envelope when a syndicated radio show could say the word "piss" (yes, that is an actionable word by the FCC) and wind up being fined $350k x 10-20 stations...so $3.5-7MM hit for just using a "fleeting expletive."
The FCC's tyranny is why Stern left terrestrial radio, and it's what made XM/Sirius so attractive to talk radio fans -- Satellite is not regulated by the FCC. It was supposed to be the wild west of radio. Again, this is another reason why people are outraged by Sirius firing O&A. The company was marketed as a rallying cry against the FCC's censorship.
I suspect that Opie & Anthony's salary has far less to do with their numbers than it does with the absolute leverage Sirius has over them -- O&A had no where else to go except for Satellite. Terrestrial radio can't afford to hire a show whose success depends on pushing the envelope and doing edgy radio. Sirius knows that, and $3MM is enough to make sure they don't walk.
It is what it is, everyone will move on in a few months. In the short term however, this is going to continue to be a big story.
Recent SIRI News
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/06/2024 09:11:49 PM
- SiriusXM to Present at the 52nd Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference • PR Newswire (US) • 05/03/2024 08:30:00 PM
- U.S. Index Futures Point to Mild Decline Ahead of Key Earnings and Fed Rate Decision • IH Market News • 04/30/2024 11:59:59 AM
- SiriusXM Reports First Quarter 2024 Operating and Financial Results • PR Newswire (US) • 04/30/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Howard Stern to Interview President Biden Live Today at Approximately 10:15 AM ET on SiriusXM • PR Newswire (US) • 04/26/2024 02:14:00 PM
- SiriusXM Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend • PR Newswire (US) • 04/25/2024 12:00:00 PM
- SiriusXM to Report First Quarter 2024 Operating and Financial Results • PR Newswire (US) • 04/01/2024 08:30:00 PM
- SiriusXM to Present at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference • PR Newswire (US) • 02/27/2024 09:30:00 PM
- SiriusXM to Present at the Deutsche Bank 32nd Annual Media, Internet & Telecom Conference • PR Newswire (US) • 02/27/2024 09:30:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:12:15 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:12:13 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:12:05 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:12:03 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:59 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:55 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:50 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:46 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:42 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:37 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:33 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:26 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:24 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:20 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:15 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/27/2024 02:11:06 AM
FEATURED Element79 Gold Corp Reports Exceptionally High-Grade Results from Lucero • May 14, 2024 7:00 AM
Avant Technologies Equipping AI-Managed Data Center with High Performance Computing Systems • AVAI • May 10, 2024 8:00 AM
VAYK Discloses Strategic Conversation on Potential Acquisition of $4 Million Home Service Business • VAYK • May 9, 2024 9:00 AM
Bantec's Howco Awarded $4.19 Million Dollar U.S. Department of Defense Contract • BANT • May 8, 2024 10:00 AM
Element79 Gold Corp Successfully Closes Maverick Springs Option Agreement • ELEM • May 8, 2024 9:05 AM
Kona Gold Beverages, Inc. Achieves April Revenues Exceeding $586,000 • KGKG • May 8, 2024 8:30 AM