Stern-Portland?

[OldPort]

With the current rumor being that Clear Channel is heavily courting Howard Stern (or vice-versa), where do you think Stern would land if he were to return to Portland?

Would the "keg" run dry with Free Beer and Hot Wings?

Would Stern finally get that job at WBLM he tried to get all those decades ago?

Would he be a better Alternative to Mornings on CYY?

Frank's Place with Howard and Robin?

Or, would no station be willing to spend the (assumedly) big money to get him anymore?

The mind wonders!

Cheers,
OldPort Wino

 

[RSKaz]

With the current rumor being that Clear Channel is heavily courting Howard Stern (or vice-versa), where do you think Stern would land if he were to return to Portland?

Or, would no station be willing to spend the (assumedly) big money to get him anymore?

If Stern signs with Clear Channel, wouldn't CC pay affiliate stations to carry him like it does for its conservative yackers? If so, sounds like a sweet deal for the Blimp and/or 'CYY.

 

[nhradiochild]

I can't imagine Howard signing with Clear Channel like -- ever. ??? (UNLESS he wanted to find a way to stick it to them for good. ;D )

All this speculation I think is just spinning wheels. Doesn't anybody remember how Clear Channel swiped him off their airwaves? He isn't going to change his role for them and if he did, it wouldn't be the Howard Stern that everyone has come to know. He'd be accused of selling out. That's not his swagger.

Plus, I never knew that Stern personally coveted getting on the air on WBLM. Doesn't seem like he would care to be on one particular station, maybe just the market. But, I could be wrong. Can't say I have any inside information to the contrary.

 

[ebol]

Isn't Howard a bit of "old news"? Newer audience members wouldn't even know whois is (or WAS).

 

[Jimc]

So, new listeners get introduced to Howard Stern. Great name recognition. Shouldn't be too hard a sell. BUT, long term?

Will Howard want to be censored again?

 

[radiothis!]

Howard is old news. But I also believe he's one of the few personalities whose return to terrestrial airwaves would actually draw in listeners. I am a former radio guy--and the only FM I listen to now is MPBN--but Howard could drive me to switch. I love talk radio, but all that's left these days is advice and diatribes. While I'm no fan of censoring, I think it makes it fun for the listener.

p.s. Mark, to clear up any confusion: Howard Stern, before he was THE Howard Stern, once applied for a job at WBLM and was shot down. Or so he says. He has talked about it on-air several times including during his short syndicated ride on some Nassau stations in Portland. I've never seen Private Parts nor read his memoir (I get depressed watching/reading stories about how radio used to be fun) but it's possible he referenced the story there as well. Being rejected from some town just south of the polar ice cap has a way of leaving a mark on a man's pride.

 

[splicer38]

Stern back to terrestrial radio with CC?
He's not going anywhere. Uncle Mel will give him what he wants and he'll re-up for 10 years with Sirus. He'll probably get another channel to be more "creative".
Stop the maddness! He's not coming back! Even if he leaves Sirius I think he believes there is a better, less constrained medium for him.

 

[noflufftampa]

Stern may go back to CC and that's great!.....But there is no way he will be heard in the Portland Market!! The chances of Portland Maine getting a Hooter's are better than Howard on the air in Portland! Now let's say that some station got balls to pick him up in the market. Knowing they could lose alot of advertisers over his show. Who would pick him up? Ideally WBLM would be perfect but Citadel wouldn't go for it! I only see one cluster in this market that would, Atlantic Coast!! JJ likes to take risks and if anyone could pull it out it would be him!