Howard Stern is not gone. He has not been canceled. Howard’s contract is up, and there is a negotiation going on. Here is my history of being a Stern fan and my disappointment with Howard.
Before the internet, there was a company called California Aircheck. This service would send you a cassette featuring a show or shows and station composites.
Before consolidation, California Aircheck was the way to hear the great personalities and performances of that time. Since spoken word was my love, I ordered cassettes of Greaseman, Don and Mike, Bob Grant, and Howard Stern. If you are of my generation, California Aircheck was essential. I learned so much from California Aircheck and my amazing coworkers at the mighty AM 1500 KSTP.
The personalities who were amazing mentors to my early career were (in no particular order): Barbara Carlson, Turi Ryder, Mark Boyle, Bob Yates, Joe Soucheray, Patrick Reusse, Jesse Ventura, Griff, John MacDougal, Lee Valsvik, and Bruce Gordon.
Back in the day, the market size was considered the be-all, end-all determination of how great the radio was and how innovative the personalities or stations were. As we know today, market size is not the ruler for success in our industry.
Today, if you are a cub broadcaster, you can listen online to hosts and stations anywhere in the world. California Aircheck brought the most renowned broadcasters to your mailbox. Howard Stern was so innovative because he was there for the great unwashed. He said things that the average working stiff could not express in the days before the internet. I learned from the greats, who I still admire to this day. Howard Stern’s show evolved, and not necessarily in a good way.
Howard was constantly being harassed by the FCC for topics or language that were available to everyone via cable television. Ironically, some of the topics, themes, and language were also explored by the music of the day played on the radio, without issue. Someone speaking the truth was being persecuted. Howard’s ratings and revenue were growing. With the advent of satellite radio, there was finally a place where Howard would not be targeted.
Following the wisdom of the FCC, certain topics and themes were banned on commercial radio, while on pay TV or radio, the hosts could discuss anything. It was totally inconsistent. Eventually, Howard was wooed by one of the two satellite radio companies. Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, and the team chose Sirius, which damaged terrestrial radio and benefited Sirius.
On Howard’s first day on Sirius, the F-word was dropped about 200 times. Howard was freed from the FCC. Eventually, he got back to what he did best, and it was huge. Sirius put XM Radio on the ropes, and the two satellite companies merged.
Howard — who universally held disdain for the white-collar elites in New York City — was making huge money. He had a reputation as a bit of a recluse who avoided the fancy parties.
In New York City, getting the right invite is like winning the lottery, and Howard was never seen at those gatherings. He went through a divorce and eventually remarried a remarkable woman named Beth. He bought a place in the Hamptons and began attending the very parties he once criticized. My theory is that the Hamptons party circuit was important to his new wife. If you are dining with the very people you once loathed, your show will change.
Howard began to tame down his interviews. He was once famous for asking the questions everyone wanted to know. If his line of questioning insulted a celebrity, so be it. That version of Howard Stern has been gone for a long time.
Howard Stern has become the sycophant he once claimed to hate. His antics became as tame as a sleeping puppy. The show lost its edge as Howard kissed up to the powerful and famous. It is disappointing that Howard will not ask pompous celebrities tough questions anymore. It is purely because he wants to be their friend, not the friend to his longtime audience.
Is Howard leaving SiriusXM? From everything I have read, his contract is up for renewal. SiriusXM is seeking a cut in salary. Stern and SiriusXM may come to an agreement. Howard is 71. I don’t know him personally, but I think the show still means something to him. Howard is worth somewhere around $650 million, according to ChatGPT. He doesn’t need to work. There are also plenty of platforms that would be excited to have him on their roster.
Unlike Stephen Colbert, Howard Stern’s show has truly impacted people. Howard has created amazing memories for his listeners. All Colbert ever did that was noteworthy was dance with COVID shot puppets.
The demise of Howard Stern has been called prematurely. He may choose to walk away. I hope to see Howard at the BNM Summit in NYC on September 3rd and 4th.
Howard is a generational talent. Much like Rush Limbaugh, he has improved spoken word broadcasting. There is no debating the innovations Howard brought to media. I generally avoid political points in my column, but I believe it is important to have voices available that offer different opinions from mine.
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Peter Thiele is a weekly news/talk radio columnist for Barrett Media, and an experienced news/talk radio programmer. He currently serves as News/Talk Format Captain for Zimmer Communications. Prior to joining Zimmer, Peter held programming positions in New York City, San Francisco, Des Moines, Little Rock, Greenville, Hunstville, and Joplin. Peter has also worked as a host, account executive and producer in Minneapolis, and San Antonio. He can be found on Twitter at @PeterThiele.
With the line, “much like Rush Limbaugh, he has improved spoken word broadcasting” you gave yourself away. It can be argued that Howard Stern paved the way for people like Rush Limbaugh, who actually killed the fabric of our country with their divisiveness—but not sure how that improved broadcasting. In the beginning of his career, Howard was brash and ”politically incorrect” but he didn’t cause his listeners to hate each other. It can be argued that he grew up and softened his stance on things as he aged, but that is refreshing to see in someone with a long and nuanced career. While he stopped asking embarrassing questions, he actually became a better interviewer and who wants to hear a 70-year-old man do nothing but fart jokes and lesbian dating game? Howard has continued to speak his mind. I think the only thing that really has changed is that you stopped liking which people in power he chose to criticize. That’s your prerogative, but let’s be honest here.
Laura,
Rush Limbaugh was a seminal talent. You may have disliked his politics, but he reinvented AM Radio and Talk Radio. Howard did the same.
Peter
It’s not just his politics. Politics can always be debated. It’s the hate Rush and even worse imitators that he spawned. Hitler was a gifted orator too. Shouldn’t be lauded as such, however.
Hate? Please give me an example.
The examples are endless, but here’s a piece to refresh your memory. https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/rush-limbaugh-s-true-legacy-how-he-persuaded-people-embrace-ncna1258297
I attempted to and cited a column, but it didn’t get published. Odd.
I would just as soon croak than try to be the same as I was when I was in my 20s and 30s. What a silly waste of old age.
Jimmy,
We all evolve and change over time. There is no question that your thoughts are good. Stern’s Brand was that he represented the great unwashed. He now kisses up to the powerful and comfortable.
Peter
“Colbert never did anything” says
some guy i never heard of.
And I’ve been in radio for 50 years.
Zeb!!!
Thanks for letting me know. I have done what I can do to be known in our industry. I will need to work harder!
Peter
First–thank you for the compliment. It’s an honor.
2nd: We disagree on Colbert. Colbert has also served his audience in the same way you give Howard credit for functioning: letting people who are “on the outs” with power feel they have an advocate. As our country’s political climate has shifted, Colbert has been a link, using humor to connect people who feel their politics (whether you agree with them or not) have left them delegated to a minority role in, or even an endangered part of, society.
3rd: As you noted above, one of Howard’s MANY great gifts was that he was “a friend to his longtime audience.” I don’t listen enough to say whether or not Howard Stern has “left the building.”
But you reminded me–and many other air talent–that you owe everything you are on the air (or on line, or in a club, or on a stage) to your audience. They are giving you their most precious gift: their time.
Thanks for the reminder. It can never come too often.