oh no! HOWARD STERN v. DUBYA FITE!! OH NO!!

A Republican insider told [Stern] that the party received more mail about Bono using the F word on the grammys than any other subject.

In one of the best defense of the Democrats I've heard on radio, [Stern] also spoke out against this gay marriage distraction, called Kerry a hero for what he did during and after the war, and said that he will do everything he can to defeat Bush.

maybe karl rove oughta call up John DiBella, to see what happens when you fuck with Howard! (imus never really recovered, either.)

So shock jocks killing pigs in the morning is decent content, but ol Howard calling Kerry a hero isn't? (I mean, this is hardly surprising... but man, if I didn't hate Clear Channel enough before)

but still ... if the GOP's fingerprints are on this, REAL BAD MOVE GUYS!!

(so presumably Howard Stern wasn't offensive until now? Fuck Janet Jackson's titty, fuck it with knives)

If Clear Channel and its customers don't want to listen to Stern, there's no reason they should.

"Clear Channel said earlier this week that it was ending its "contractual relationship" with disc jockey Bubba, whose real name is Todd Clem, after complaints about his use of language. The company also said it would no longer carry Clem's show on any of its 1,184 U.S. radio stations.

"Today, Clear Channel President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Mays said in a statement that the company was making the policy changes to address a "rising tide of indecency on the airwaves."

"Congress may vote as early as next month on the bill to toughen indecency penalties, which FCC Chairman Michael Powell has said he supports.

"Shares of Clear Channel rose 78 cents to $43.70 at 2:35 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading."

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry aboot that.

[Clear Channel Radio CEO John]Hogan closed [his House subcommitte testimony] by noting the tens of thousands of programming hours CC airs each week that "are in line with community standards and sensibilities. The Bubba's and the Howard Stern's of the world are the exception, rather than the rule. They will no longer have a platform on our station."

And if they didn't want to listen to Stern, the easy solution is the turn the dial, which maybe was your suggestion, and if so it's a sound one.

regardless of what one thinks of stern and his schtick, his politics are all over the place -- he very vocally supported both clinton and gore; he also very vocally supported giuliani, pataki, al d'amato, and christie whitman.

I also checked out the Imus show for the first time - my father listens to him. Insufferable.

whudda thunk it?

While Kerry gaining a Bush vote is a +2 gain for Kerry, a Bush voter staying at home is still a +1 gain.

Anyway, Stern is causing a lot of people who probably otherwise could care less to become enraged at Bush. Voting against him, regardless of whom they vote for (and where are they going to go? Larouche? Howard Phillips?), is a way to express that rage. This couldn't be more perfect if the DNC had engineered it.

Could the mods change the thread title to :

oh yes! HOWARD STERN v. DUBYA FITE!! OH YES!!

thing is, he's not. he's more libertarian than anything. opposition radio, perhaps, not certainly not left-wing.

also, those of you who haven't already heard about this, starting on march 31st, a new station is launching - air america radio...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/03/11/BUG305I4KS1.DTL

and their temporary site (new one launches on monday) is here...
Air America Radio

let's just hope their message makes a difference come november.

Flak Magazine

What does this mean for INFINITY? REDSTONE told a conference call of analysts that VIACOM would consider selling the radio operation as part of the company's taking a "hard look" at it and other assets, but added that "for the time being we're committed to radio."

KARMAZIN's replaced by VIACOM's MTV NETWORKS CEO TOM FRESTON and CBS Chairman & CEO LESLIE MOONVES, who have been named co-Presidents and co-COOs.

In their new roles, FRESTON and MOONVES will jointly oversee all of the operations of VIACOM, as directed by Chairman & CEO SUMNER REDSTONE. FRESTON will be responsible for overseeing the operations of SHOWTIME, BET, PARAMOUNT PARKS, SIMON & SCHUSTER and the motion picture operations of PARAMOUNT PICTURES. In addition to overseeing VIACOM's broadcast television businesses, MOONVES will be responsible for the operations of PARAMOUNT TV, INFINITY BROADCASTING and VIACOM OUTDOOR.

REDSTONE remarked, "VIACOM is poised to move into a new era of growth led by an innovative team of executives, beginning with our new Presidents & Chief Operating Officers, TOM FRESTON and LES MOONVES. I have worked closely with both TOM and LES for many years and there are no two finer executives in the media industry. Each has presided over phenomenal growth stories, LES in broadcast and TOM at the cable networks, and each has served as an integral member of Viacom's senior management team. Obviously, TOM and LES are the two leading candidates to be the next CEO of VIACOM."

Concerning KARMAZIN, REDSTONE added, "We very much regret MEL's decision to resign and we wish him well. He has been instrumental in VIACOM's operating success since our merger with CBS and he leaves with an extraordinary track record of accomplishment. We appreciate that he has agreed to stay on as a consultant for two months to help TOM and LES with the transition to their new posts."

FRESTON said, "I am excited about the opportunity to play a greater role at VIACOM. After so many years at MTV and MTV NETWORKS, VIACOM is a company that I love, and one that I know intimately. I am looking forward to working with SUMNER, LES and all my talented colleagues at VIACOM who I have collaborated with for many years. With our strong vision, our vibrant culture and our incredible brands, we will further strengthen VIACOM's position as the premier media company."

MOONVES stated: "It has been extremely gratifying to play a role in the CBS comeback over the past several years, working with a great team. I am excited to take on these new responsibilities at such an important moment in the evolution of VIACOM, and I am thrilled that I will be working so closely with SUMNER and TOM as we chart the future for this great company. VIACOM's assets and management are the best in the business and I know that working together we will take VIACOM to new heights."

KARMAZIN stated: "After more than 20 years with the Company, for personal and professional reasons, I have decided to leave VIACOM and pursue other challenges. VIACOM is performing exceptionally well with leadership positions in all of its businesses. The company's very talented management team will ensure its continued success."

What remains to be seen is whether or not HOWARD STERN will follow through on last week's "if he goes, I go" threat.

now that's a real confidence-building statement!

Our ears should be so lucky.....

KARMAZIN stated: "After more than 20 years with the Company, for personal and professional reasons, I have decided to leave VIACOM and pursue other challenges.

I'm thinking "golden parachute".

An official announcement from Clear Channel is expected today.

The payment is the largest-ever by a single company for indecency violations, and involves broadcasts of the Howard Stern Show, former WXTB/Tampa-based morning host Bubba the Love Sponge Clem and WWDC/Washington-based morning talent Elliot Segal.

[]The Washington Post reports that Clear Channel's payment to the FCC would also cover "dozens of listener complaints in the commission's indecency pipeline that have not been ruled on."

The Post also reports that FCC Chairman Michael Powell and Commissioners Kevin Martin and Kathleen Abernathy approved of Clear Channel's payment of the indecency fines, while commissioner Jonathan Adelstein agreed in part. However, Commissioner Michael Copps is said to have voted against the settlement, asking instead for an examination of each complaint against Clear Channel.

The add-on indecency amendment in the Senate gets passed 99-1- the amendment, sponsored by Sen. SAM BROWNBACK (R-KS), increases maximum indecency fines tenfold to $275,000. The additional provision invalidating the FCC's new media ownership rules, offered by Sen. BYRON DORGAN (D-ND), also passed, but without a mandatory federal study on consolidation, and Sen. CONRAD BURNS (R-MT)'s amendment allowing the FCC to take financial hardship into account when issuing the fines passed as well. The Senate must now vote on the main defense authorization bill to which these amendments have been attached, followed by consideration by a joint House-Senate committee before landing on the President's desk for signature or veto.

The WHITE HOUSE is making its list and checking it twice over the Presidential Radio Address, sending letters to stations asking if they carry the feature. A copy obtained by ALL ACCESS includes a cover letter from WHITE HOUSE Dir. of Radio TREY BOHN pitching the address and asking recipients to fill out a fax-back questionnaire; the questionnaire asks details about the station (including wattage and contact names) and asks "Do you air the President's weekly radio address? If so, what time (local)?"

-- Pleasant Plains (acewhiske...) (webmail), June 22nd, 2004 2:53 PM. (Pleasant Plains) (later) (link)