The Dirty Truth About Sirius Satellite Radio

Note to Howard Stern: I know what's wrong with your show -- it's vulgar! I know that may seem kind of obvious to some of you, but I was, and still am, a huge Howard Stern fan. But I can't listen to his show anymore when I'm around people. The lack of censorship has allowed the show to sink to a level of sex and profanity that used to be funny when left to the imagination, but has become embarrassing when described in graphic detail. You can't even risk rolling down you window at a toll plaza with Howard's show on the radio anymore.

I was hoping he'd grow out of it after having some fun saying f*** a few thousand times but, apparently, the novelty hasn't worn off for Stern. But it has for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI) subscribers, who are deactivating at a rate that is increasing twice as fast as subscriptions are increasing! Deactivations for Q2 were 230K vs. 66K (up 350%) in Q205, while subscriptions grew to 830K from 432K (less than 50%). While an army of sycophants may whisper in Howard's ear that this is OK and still represents a net gain -- I like him too much not to tell him the truth!

They are still outperforming XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR), who lost 528,000 subscribers in Q2 alone, and whose additions are actually dropping. But this isn't about beating XM, it's about Howard getting back to doing a show that made him a national sensation. It's hard to be the "Bad Boy of Radio" when the radio you're on gives you carte blanche to say and do whatever you want.

Comments

[Frank Z:]

Key quote "They are still outperforming XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR), who lost 528,000 subscribers in Q2 alone". That's all that matters. Believe me, if he was watered down, the deactivations would be higher not lower. No one is going to pay for something you can get on free radio.

2007 Jan 08 09:01 AM

[Frank Z:]

Also, it's amazing that the same people that love the Sopranos on HBO are supposedly suddenly offended by Howard's profanity. I'm not buying it!

2007 Jan 08 09:02 AM

[Michael Saleh:]

This article is incredibly frustrating: can Phil Davis explain to me his reasoning why 230,000 Sirius deactivations are attributed to Stern when XM has double the amount of deactivations (while only being 1/6 larger than Sirius) even though XM obviously does not have Stern? A logical assumption is that deactivations are a normal occurrence for satellite radio because of the subscribers who get free subscriptions when they purchase new cars (obviously, not everyone is going to like the service for whatever reason). Again, using logic, taking XM's deactivation rate as baseline (because they don't have Stern), 50% less subscribers deactivated from Sirius because of Stern.

It should be clear that any biased person can "massage the numbers" to come up with their own conclusions. For those who care to read a positive comment on the content of Stern's show, they should turn to www.msnbc.msn.com/id/1.../.

By the way, Stern has tempered he use of profanity on his Sirius show because a flood of profanity can get annoying (and he knows that). I actually remember Him telling his staff on the air not to curse too often as it cheapens its impact when it is used wisely in a humorous manner.

Nevertheless, is his show outrageous? Of course it is. That's why we like him.

2007 Jan 08 04:49 PM

[Malkiel:]

You remind me of the luddites who take part in those "turn off your tv" weeks at local schools because they say "there's nothing worthwhile for kids to watch on tv"; but they would never consider watching Discovery, National Geographic, History Channel, Turner Classic Movies, etc., so their inbred lack of taste keeps them from ever getting it. In your case, Sirius and XM both offer a vast range of programming, including some great theme music channels and outstanding classical music, but only a lowbrow judges the whole venture solely by Howard Stern's output...

2007 Jan 08 05:58 PM

[User 206807:]

My family subscribed to Sirius here in Canada. None of us listen to Stern, maybe it's a nationalism thing, I don't know. He even has two channels, Howard101 and Howard100. Sirius needs to expand their marketing to beyond Howard...

A favourite of mine has been 26: Left of Center ("The best in college, indie, alternative and underground rock") It's a great channel for that genre and it's opened me a greater, wider variety of music that isn't heard on regular radio and that is why I listen to Sirius. Howard or not, Lifetime subscriber.

2008 Jun 08 08:41 AM

[muley101:]

Howard Sten is Asswater. That's my new word, you can use it.

2008 Jun 17 08:46 PM

[nybor:]

I don't see their losses because of Stern,Change the channel.
I see allot of people leaving because of customer service.

2008 Aug 07 10:59 PM

[User 420869:]

FOR SURE !! SIRIUS RADIO CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE WORST. !!!!!!!
PUT YOU ON HOLD FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, CUT YOU OFF, WHEN YOU CALL THEY TELL YOU THAT YOUR ACCOUNT IS EASY TO ACCESS ONLINE. WHEN YOU GO ONLINE THEY TELL YOU TO CALL 1-888-539-7474. TYPICAL OF A BUSINESS THATS FAILING.

On 2008 Aug 07 10:59 PM nybor wrote:

> I don't see their losses because of Stern,Change the channel.
> I see allot of people leaving because of customer service.

May 27 06:57 PM