Source Corey Deitz,


Early this week, (01/09), Howard Stern marked his first year on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. And even though he is still bringing his show to a substantially smaller audience than he had on terrestrial radio, Stern’s magnetism has attracted enough new subscribers to SIRIUS to have earned him $83 million dollars from a stock bonus.


SIRIUS recently reported over 6 million subscribers for its service, putting it in a position to breathe squarely down XM’s neck - which just announced it has 7.5 million subscribers. Considering this gap has substantially narrowed and quickly, Stern has to be considered part of the reason. SIRIUS had 3 million subscribers in December, 2005 and only 1 million in December, 2004. Think what you may about Stern – he has always had admirers and detractors – but, his move to SIRIUS has proven that he can multitask: do his own F.C.C.-less show and program two channels busting over with Stern-approved talent.


“It’s been a great year and the show is better than ever,” said Stern.


“We’ve delivered on the promise of satellite radio; I can do whatever I want and say whatever I want.”
Having two dedicated Howard Stern channels makes it possible for SIRIUS to replay The Howard Stern Show all day and night, allowing fans to listen to the show any time. Howard 100 and Howard 101 feature original shows such as The Wrap Up Show, a daily recap of that morning’s Howard Stern Show hosted by producer Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein; The Bubba the Love Sponge Show, a controversial and funny afternoon talk show; The Scott Ferrall Show, a nightly talk show hosted by veteran sports radio personality Scott Ferrall; Jackie’s Joke Hunt, a weekly comedy program hosted by former longtime Stern show member Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling; The Riley Martin Show, a weekly show about Martin’s alien experience; Superfan Roundtable, a weekly show featuring Stern “superfans” and appearances by the Wack Pack, and The Intern Show, on which the college-age interns reveal the behind the scenes details of working on The Howard Stern Show.


At SIRIUS, Stern even has his own news department, the “Howard 100 News Team” which reports on all things “Howard” all-the-time. You might think this is the epitome of ego-driven programming but for Stern fans, it is real news by a news department which does a very professional job - though, often with tongues in cheek.


In addition to The Howard Stern Show, Stern has created original programming for his two channels over the last year, such as The Bitter Half, a radio drama about Stern show wives and girlfriends, written and produced by Sam Simon, one of the original developers of The Simpsons.


Howard Stern and his channels were a hefty financial investment for SIRIUS – beginning with the highly reported $500 million dollar/5-year deal for his services. With the additional $83 million he earned this week one thing is clear: the King of All Media has also proven himself to be a Jack of All Trades when it comes to content and programming.