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hbgator

Tue 09 May, 2006


Stern eyes free radio

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HOWARD Stern says he's been offered a <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"major deal"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> to come back to regular radio via satellite radio <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> just like his longtime enemies Opie <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>&<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Anthony.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"The joke could be on them if I get good and worked up <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>[because]<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> I got offered a major deal to go back to terrestrial and stay on satellite at the same time,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Stern told his Sirius listeners in comments replayed and mocked yesterday by <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"O&A.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"Can you imagine if I go across town against them in all those markets and just kick some a-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>?<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> That would really be cool,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> said Stern,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> who now broadcasts to about a tenth of his former audience.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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If an offer was actually made to Stern,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> it most likely came from Citadel Broadcasting,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which is in the process of acquiring Disney/ABC's radio division <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> including New York's WABC,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> WPLJ and WEPN <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> and is headed by former Infinity/CBS exec Farid Suleman.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Once Suleman gets the keys to ABC's outlets,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> he could instantly return Stern to major FM stations in New York,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> L.A.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Chicago and other huge cities,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> if Sirius,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which is paying <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$500 million over five years for Stern's supposedly exclusive services,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> agrees to trade exclusivity for cash.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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During a recent investor conference call,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> CEO Mel Karmazin said he's not entertaining reverse-licensing offers but added,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"It doesn't mean that we couldn't in the future.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Neither Stern's agent or Suleman returned calls seeking comment.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>