In January 2006, Howard Stern left ‘terrestrial’ radio to go to satellite radio with a five-year, $500 million contract. Fast forward to 2010, and we are in the final year of that contract. And the man we rarely saw or heard from in the past four years is suddenly red-hot; entertaining new jobs at both American Idol and back to ‘terrestrial’ radio (of which he persistently bashed on his way out.)
First, he said he would not re-sign with Sirius XM. Given their $0.86 stock price and $1 billion in debt, Stern just may get his wish. If he doesn’t re-sign with Sirius, then what?
BusinessWeek reported Clear Channel thinks Stern is a ‘logical’ choice for them, even though his new contract would be a huge sum to take on as terrestrial radio revenue continues to decline year over year. And leaving the freedom of satellite back to the muddled arms of the FCC does not seem like a path he would be likely to follow.
On Monday, Stern confirmed he was in talks with American Idol, which will be looking for a new abrasive judge after Simon Cowell exits at the end of this season. His qualifications to judge a singing contest are about as deep as current judge, Ellen DeGeneres, so why not? American Idol is one of the few outlets that could actually afford Stern’s current paycheck.
You have to create demand to be in demand. Stern has always proclaimed himself the “King of all Media” and the way the press is jumping at the chance to cover his every move (or possibility of a move), maybe he still is.
