A Sirius XM "What If"...

[BossRadioDJ]

The news about Sirius XM satellite radio ain't good:

With Charlie Ergen breathing down his neck, Mel Karmazin is reported to be preparing a possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for Sirius XM to put pressure on the EchoStar CEO. The New York Times reports that Sirius XM has retained a bankruptcy law firm and a restructuring expert.

...but what if Sirius XM took on the model that cable and satellite TV providers use: adding a tier of local stations.

What if CBS, Cumulus, Citadel and Clear Channel (and all the other C-words that own radio stations) were to make an agreement with Sirius XM to add their key local stations to the subscription service.

For example, would it make getting a Sirius XM subscription more attractive to you if you knew you were able to get an added tier that includes all the major Bay Area AM and FM stations in crystal-clear stereo?

Personal opinion (and I'm already a Sirius XM subscriber): I live in the greater Bay Area, but on AM I can barely get KGO where I live. KSFO is weak. KNEW is barely audible. On FM, KKIQ is strong ... and the rest of the dial is fuzz and flutter. If I wasn't a subscriber and the local tier option was available, I'd sign up in a second.

There are obvious benefits to the stations, too.

 

[LKellerIII]

Interesting concept, DJ. I know KQED already simulcasts their programming on Sirius/XM...the benefit to them is a larger nationwide audience.

I guess I'd consider subscribing if what you propose took place. The only time I was even close to subscribing to satellite radio was a few years ago when I almost accepted a job 35 miles from home. I decided the expense would be worth it for the long commute by car. But I didn't take the job, and still get to work closer to home via BART, so I'm not a "drive-time" radio listener.

At home, I already shell out big bucks for digital cable-TV, which provides a wide variety of Music Choice channels, along with most of the local radio stations. Radio reception over the air is a bit spotty where I live, but KGO, KCBS, and KQED come in clearly, along with a few others - that's adequate for my needs these days.

 

[LKellerIII]

By the way, Don Barrett's speculation on laradio.com today regarding the potential bankruptcy:

Howard Stern would likely return to terrestrial radio, and potentially Citadel, if they can scrape up the money.

The former CBS people Howard spoke well of and admired (other than Karmazin) are Fared Suleman (now running Citadel), and Bob Moore (now programming Citadel's KABC and KLOS).

Are you ready for Howard on KGO or KSFO?

 

[Hunkey Snarkey]

Ive cancelled two subs in the last 24 hours,,, the 60s channel playlist is shrinking at a fast pace, REPETITIVE! Playing safe songs only, lots of complaints on XM Fan site! Gary Moras 1260 KYA,, if you could only get it in the car? Gary does an outstanding job, compared to John Zellner @ Sirius/XM,, and the playlist,, WOW!!! 1260KYA is my favorite internet station,, and march 1st Sirius/XM starts charging for on line listening 2.99 a month, no thanks Sirius/XM ill pass! kenny in concord

 

[BossRadioDJ]

By the way, Don Barrett's speculation on laradio.com today regarding the potential bankruptcy:

Howard Stern would likely return to terrestrial radio, and potentially Citadel, if they can scrape up the money.

The former CBS people Howard spoke well of and admired (other than Karmazin) are Fared Suleman (now running Citadel), and Bob Moore (now programming Citadel's KABC and KLOS).

Are you ready for Howard on KGO or KSFO?

I thought that Howard haaaaaaated Farid $uleman. Howard always played the sitar version of "Up, Up and Away" when he talked about him.

Ready for Howard on KGO or KSFO? You don't think that Mickey Luckoff and Jack Swanson wouldn't jump on that in a second?

The problem: Howard doesn't work from 6 to 9 AM. He works from 6 AM until he's done doing his show. Could you just imagine Howie interviewing some porn star and, when the clock strikes 9, KSFO cuts over to the start of El Rushbo...

Nah. Not good.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

Ive cancelled two subs in the last 24 hours,,, the 60s channel playlist is shrinking at a fast pace, REPETITIVE! Playing safe songs only, lots of complaints on XM Fan site! Gary Moras 1260 KYA,, if you could only get it in the car? Gary does an outstanding job.

I'd cancel my Sirius XM subscriptions, too ... except I've invested in:

* Two different radios

* Two full-on car installations

* A home set-up

* Three years of listening (especially to Howard during the week and NFL football on the road on Sundays)

It's like the Giants spending a bunch of money on Barry Zito. I've invested so much on Sirius XM, I just can't dump it without feeling like I've wasted money on it.

...Yet.

One of the big negatives I find with Sirius XM is lack of local content ... which is one of my biggest complaints about radio in general. There is local traffic and weather on Sirius, but not local news. (And why isn't there?)

Of course, I listen to KNBR an awful lot, and can't understand why they do traffic updates and business reports, but don't do news updates. Something happens somewhere on the planet and you're listening to KNBR? You're S.O.L. -- you ain't gonna hear about it. What, they can't tie in with some local TV station for news breaks during the day? Isn't that the deal they have with Channel 11 NBC Bay Area for Scotty McGrew's business reports?

 

[LKellerIII]

By the way, Don Barrett's speculation on laradio.com today regarding the potential bankruptcy:

Howard Stern would likely return to terrestrial radio, and potentially Citadel, if they can scrape up the money.

The former CBS people Howard spoke well of and admired (other than Karmazin) are Fared Suleman (now running Citadel), and Bob Moore (now programming Citadel's KABC and KLOS).

Are you ready for Howard on KGO or KSFO?

I thought that Howard haaaaaaated Farid $uleman. Howard always played the sitar version of "Up, Up and Away" when he talked about him.

Ready for Howard on KGO or KSFO? You don't think that Mickey Luckoff and Jack Swanson wouldn't jump on that in a second?

The problem: Howard doesn't work from 6 to 9 AM. He works from 6 AM until he's done doing his show. Could you just imagine Howie interviewing some porn star and, when the clock strikes 9, KSFO cuts over to the start of El Rushbo...

Nah. Not good.

I re-read Don Barrett's statement about Howard and Suleman. What he said was (hopefully I can quote two sentences):
"When CBS was carrying Howard, Mel Karmazin was the man in charge and despite controversial incidents, Mel stood by his man and even paying FCC fines to show his unwavering support. Mel’s lieutenant during this time was Farid Suleman." It doesn't actually say that they were buddies. Don does state that Bob Moore (now KABC, KLOS) and Howard have great mutual admiration.

Think about it - if Citadel could shell out the big bucks for Howard, it would be a ratings bonanza in most markets. If they did shell out the money, what's the chance that they would not run Howard on one of their stations in Market #4? It would also be Citadel's chance to lower the average age of KGO's demographic in morning drive, and might boost some of their other day parts.

I imagine Mickey and Jack's influence only goes so far. And from what I gather, the KGO Morning News is no longer a top rated program. Could they cut Howard off at 9:00 for Ronnnnn Owens? Or alternately, start Howard at 5:00?

Interesting to speculate...

 

[djj]

As pointed out elsewhere in Radio-Info land, Liberty Media has now entered into talks
with Sirius/XM, which could trigger a nasty bidding war with EchoStar, per this
New York times entry:

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/sirius-xm-holds-talks-with-liberty-media/?ref=business

So will Sirius/XM stave off bankruptcy?
Or will Howard Stern get hired by Citad...oh, never mind!
;D
--jay

 

[landtuna]

Could you just imagine Howie interviewing some porn star and, when the clock strikes 9, KSFO cuts over to the start of El Rushbo...

And the difference would be??????? ;D

 

[kinetic]

...if you knew you were able to get an added tier that includes all the major Bay Area AM and FM stations in crystal-clear stereo?

Or perhaps... if you knew you were able to get an added tier that included local programming (which is nearly extinct in some markets, would that be worth it? Would that be a way for owners to dodge questions/complaints about localism?

 

[Madmansam]

The news about Sirius XM satellite radio ain't good:

With Charlie Ergen breathing down his neck, Mel Karmazin is reported to be preparing a possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for Sirius XM to put pressure on the EchoStar CEO. The New York Times reports that Sirius XM has retained a bankruptcy law firm and a restructuring expert.

...but what if Sirius XM took on the model that cable and satellite TV providers use: adding a tier of local stations.

What if CBS, Cumulus, Citadel and Clear Channel (and all the other C-words that own radio stations) were to make an agreement with Sirius XM to add their key local stations to the subscription service.

For example, would it make getting a Sirius XM subscription more attractive to you if you knew you were able to get an added tier that includes all the major Bay Area AM and FM stations in crystal-clear stereo?

Personal opinion (and I'm already a Sirius XM subscriber): I live in the greater Bay Area, but on AM I can barely get KGO where I live. KSFO is weak. KNEW is barely audible. On FM, KKIQ is strong ... and the rest of the dial is fuzz and flutter. If I wasn't a subscriber and the local tier option was available, I'd sign up in a second.

There are obvious benefits to the stations, too.

My Cable Company used to have a FM Cable service with both Local (Stockton, Modesto, Sacramento) and Long Distance Bay Area Radio Stations. They dropped it in 2001, to expand their bandwidth to add more Digital TV Stations and Music Choice. It would be nice to get The Bay Area Radio Stations, Crystal Clear down here in the valley again!