Howard's third channel (my guess as to why it's not around)

Kryptonite

Well-Known Member
Oct 21, 2008
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I had a thought the other night.

Back in 2004, when the contract was first announced, how many fans REALLY knew about the inner technical workings of Sirius XM? Hell, Howard didn't even know how the things worked.

So, maybe there really was a third channel in the contract, but let's flash forward:

We want those various music channels to come back, right? Super Shuffle, the various rap channels, the vacation music channel, planet jazz, etc.

According to Sirius, the channels can't come back, because there's no space...every time they add a channel, they have to remove another one, right?

My guess is that there's simply no space for a third channel, unless "music space" and "talk space" are two different sets of space. The Howard-related content is obviously there for one. They could do something in the morning, Bubba live from 10-2, Ellis from 3-7, replays of Bubba and Ellis at night, more special shows, more Mastertape Theatre, maybe a live Friday Show later in the mornings, etc.


Ideal Example:
100/101 schedules say exactly the same as now:

Monday - Thursday. All times US ET:
6 - 10: Re-airs of Ellis?
10 - 2: Bubba Live
2 - 3: Spice Boy Wrap-Up Show. Kick Bubba out, give control to Spice and allow for interns, back office people, etc. to come in.

3 - 7: Ellis live. This would obviously mean that Faction would play regular music during their 3-7 slot.

7 - 12: Re-air of Bubba and Spice WUS

12 - 4: Ellis replay

4am - 6am: Reairs of 101 Special Shows? Reairs of the old stuff (fart-a-thon, craptacular? the old 2005 stuff?)

The only real issues here (money, bandwidth aside) would be what to reair in the overnight hours AND the fact that 10-2 on Fridays you'd have Bubba live on two channels.


The whole thing would be easier if:
Howard worked on Fridays (not gonna happen, plus we'd be bitching about how miserable he'd be)
Bubba's FM gig wasn't around
There were fewer or more hours in a day. Things don't want to add up.
 

hyson

Forum Jerk
Oct 19, 2008
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Howard = greedy.

A third channel, at this point, means more work and production for the same amount of money. Now, come time to renegotiate his contract, if he decides to stay, that would be the time to factor in that option.

IMHO, I doubt that wil happen because, as Die LaMattress puts it, he's gotten a bit lazy. If anything, the show will decrease to 3 days a week, and possibly summers off.

Guess only time will tell
 

v1ru5

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2008
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Howard = greedy.

A third channel, at this point, means more work and production for the same amount of money. Now, come time to renegotiate his contract, if he decides to stay, that would be the time to factor in that option.

IMHO, I doubt that wil happen because, as Die LaMattress puts it, he's gotten a bit lazy. If anything, the show will decrease to 3 days a week, and possibly summers off.

Guess only time will tell
That sounds about right. Sirius/XM would have to concead to something ludeacris in order to keep Howard after his contract expires and since he's not bringing in any more new subs he wouldn't be worth it.
 

Die_LaMattres

Active Member
Oct 13, 2008
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Not enough space? LOL

If Howard came up with quality programming warranting a third channel, I'm sure Sirius would bump one of their music or talk channels.

The reasons why that won't ever happen are the same why there are no quality programming on H100 or H101 - It requires effort and funding. The effort left a long time ago, and we know what Howard's take on spending money at Sirius is, right? Remember all the top level radio talent he was supposedly recruiting prior to leaving K-Rock? Where are they? I'll tell you - at an FM job that actually pays them. How about the night shows, road trips, shows from home, etc.? How come out of 30K hours of tapes, the same shit plays every time we're treated to another "special?" Howard is no different than a carnival barker, except with a less believable hair color.

Each dollar given to "talent" = 1 dollar less to fund the bowling alley and multi-chimmney foundation in the Hamptons.

Know more bullshit. Join the Revolution.
 

hyson

Forum Jerk
Oct 19, 2008
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Not enough space? LOL

If Howard came up with quality programming warranting a third channel, I'm sure Sirius would bump one of their music or talk channels.

The reasons why that won't ever happen are the same why there are no quality programming on H100 or H101 - It requires effort and funding. The effort left a long time ago, and we know what Howard's take on spending money at Sirius is, right? Remember all the top level radio talent he was supposedly recruiting prior to leaving K-Rock? Where are they? I'll tell you - at an FM job that actually pays them. How about the night shows, road trips, shows from home, etc.? How come out of 30K hours of tapes, the same shit plays every time we're treated to another "special?" Howard is no different than a carnival barker, except with a less believable hair color.

Each dollar given to "talent" = 1 dollar less to fund the bowling alley and multi-chimmney foundation in the Hamptons.

Know more bullshit. Join the Revolution.

Does anyone know how to use that ignore feature?
 

Snoozer

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Oct 13, 2008
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Not enough good programming being offered to warrant a third channel. They have a hard time with 101 IMO
 

jamesp717

Member
Oct 13, 2008
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Hey Now

They are having a hard time programming one channel, how many repeats can you listen to ?

The 3 Stooges thing fell into his lap otherwise we wouldn't have had that, if it takes any extra effort Howard ain't doing it.
 

Spokker

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Jan 15, 2009
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Does anyone know how to use that ignore feature?

He's right though. While I still enjoy the core show, the other programming leaves a lot to be desired. Bubba isn't even uncensored all week anymore. Ferrell seems like a nice guy, but he just doesn't do it for me. Where are the other radio personalities yearning for an uncensored job on satellite? I thought he was going to bring over people who wanted to be free to say what they wanted. If FM was so constricting, you'd think there would be more radio personalities jumping to get on 101.

The other specials on 101 range from awful to amateurish. For every Three Stooges special, there are 100 intern shows or Superfan Roundtables that are just God awful. I was excited about The Tapes, but they keep replaying the same shit. *I* have more Stern stuff on tape than they have played on Sirius.

It comes down to this. Howard Stern Show on satellite: a big success. Howard Stern channels on satellite: a missed opportunity.
 

v1ru5

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2008
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He's right though. While I still enjoy the core show, the other programming leaves a lot to be desired. Bubba isn't even uncensored all week anymore. Ferrell seems like a nice guy, but he just doesn't do it for me. Where are the other radio personalities yearning for an uncensored job on satellite? I thought he was going to bring over people who wanted to be free to say what they wanted. If FM was so constricting, you'd think there would be more radio personalities jumping to get on 101.

The other specials on 101 range from awful to amateurish. For every Three Stooges special, there are 100 intern shows or Superfan Roundtables that are just God awful. I was excited about The Tapes, but they keep replaying the same shit. *I* have more Stern stuff on tape than they have played on Sirius.

It comes down to this. Howard Stern Show on satellite: a big success. Howard Stern channels on satellite: a missed opportunity.
:bigclap::bigthumbup:
 

Die_LaMattres

Active Member
Oct 13, 2008
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Does anyone know how to use that ignore feature?

I'm sure most people can figure it out, as it's really, really simple.

If you cannot find someone to explain it to you, I'll give you an alternative solution. Ready? Here goes:

Don't read or respond to my posts, if they bother you that much. That seems easy enough, doesn't it? Even someone who can't figure out the simplest of features on a message board should be able to understand that, no?

Glad to be of service.
 

Die_LaMattres

Active Member
Oct 13, 2008
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It comes down to this. Howard Stern Show on satellite: a big success. Howard Stern channels on satellite: a missed opportunity.

I agree wholeheartedly with the missed opportunity comment, but is the satellite Stern show really a success? I say not by a long shot.

Howard and others can spin it any way they see it, but two facts rise above all:

1) Sirius hired Howard as their main attraction, their "savior", if you will.

2) Sirius is bankrupt.

Some may counter this by saying that Howard's overinflated salary is paid for in full by the subs he has brought in. Let's say that is 100% true. That being said, I'm sure Sirius didn't hire Howard just to cover his salary, as what employer does? - they fully expected a profit from the subscriber base that Howard and his agent probably told them he would bring in - you know, the 20 million plus from FM. That didn't exactly happen in the beginning, and it sure as hell isn't going to happen now.

Before the economy tanked and the auto industry faltered, Howard failed to bring in the numbers. I never thought it would be possible, but I believe his attitude and shitty work ethic steered many fans away from subscribing, or staying on as subscribers.

It's a shame, really. I used to hear people talking about what was on the Stern show, and either laugh, or condemn it to no end. Now, the worst case scenerio happens - people just don't care.
 

Chob

Well-Known Member
Oct 11, 2008
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www.kingbubba.com
Ellis being on anywhere but Faction at this point would be a disservice to the audience.

Right now:

1) All subscribers to Sirius and XM can listen to him instead of having to pay more for premium channels.

2) There's no commercials on Faction and Ellis has flexibility with playing music for breaks.

That's why I don't get anyone who wants him on Howard's channels. No one wants to pay more, have less music and less of Ellis on air, and more dick widening commercials. Ellis is a great fit for the Faction brand and if Sirius XM is smart they'll push him as the face of that channel when Bam, Tony Hawk, etc., only do one show a week compared to the five days a week he does. With his increasing popularity, it would make sense to do so.

He's right though. While I still enjoy the core show, the other programming leaves a lot to be desired. Bubba isn't even uncensored all week anymore. Ferrell seems like a nice guy, but he just doesn't do it for me. Where are the other radio personalities yearning for an uncensored job on satellite? I thought he was going to bring over people who wanted to be free to say what they wanted. If FM was so constricting, you'd think there would be more radio personalities jumping to get on 101.

They probably balked when they realized they could get paid MUCH better elsewhere. Bubba got the afternoon slot and Ferrall came shortly after. Danny Bonaduce also seemed to be close to getting a slot during his test show, but they didn't have the money he was asking for.

And the financial situation with Sirius killed a lot of that potential.

So I totally agree with the idea Howard's channels on Sirius were a wasted opportunity, but the majority of the blame should go to the company's financial situation and wasteful spending elsewhere when they could've locked in their second most listened to show on the service.
 
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jamesp717

Member
Oct 13, 2008
540
21
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Hey Now

I agree wholeheartedly with the missed opportunity comment, but is the satellite Stern show really a success? I say not by a long shot.

Howard and others can spin it any way they see it, but two facts rise above all:

1) Sirius hired Howard as their main attraction, their "savior", if you will.

2) Sirius is bankrupt.

Some may counter this by saying that Howard's overinflated salary is paid for in full by the subs he has brought in. Let's say that is 100% true. That being said, I'm sure Sirius didn't hire Howard just to cover his salary, as what employer does? - they fully expected a profit from the subscriber base that Howard and his agent probably told them he would bring in - you know, the 20 million plus from FM. That didn't exactly happen in the beginning, and it sure as hell isn't going to happen now.

Before the economy tanked and the auto industry faltered, Howard failed to bring in the numbers. I never thought it would be possible, but I believe his attitude and shitty work ethic steered many fans away from subscribing, or staying on as subscribers.

It's a shame, really. I used to hear people talking about what was on the Stern show, and either laugh, or condemn it to no end. Now, the worst case scenerio happens - people just don't care.

:agree:
 

Spokker

Active Member
Jan 15, 2009
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28
I agree wholeheartedly with the missed opportunity comment, but is the satellite Stern show really a success? I say not by a long shot.

I was talking more artistically, the show on satellite has been a success and my only metric is that it makes me laugh.

And listen, if Sirius does go under after Stern leaves, then we can conclude that Stern was the only thing keeping them afloat. Sounds like a temporary success.
 

Die_LaMattres

Active Member
Oct 13, 2008
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I was talking more artistically, the show on satellite has been a success and my only metric is that it makes me laugh.

And listen, if Sirius does go under after Stern leaves, then we can conclude that Stern was the only thing keeping them afloat. Sounds like a temporary success.

I believe the show is artistically bankrupt, which in turn contributes greatly to the company's financial status....or lack of one.

Saying that Sirius is afloat is like saying the Titantic was technically seaworthy after the hit.... until.....well, you probably heard the story .:)
 

Die_LaMattres

Active Member
Oct 13, 2008
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They probably balked when they realized they could get paid MUCH better elsewhere. Bubba got the afternoon slot and Ferrall came shortly after. Danny Bonaduce also seemed to be close to getting a slot during his test show, but they didn't have the money he was asking for.

And the financial situation with Sirius killed a lot of that potential.

So I totally agree with the idea Howard's channels on Sirius were a wasted opportunity, but the majority of the blame should go to the company's financial situation and wasteful spending elsewhere when they could've locked in their second most listened to show on the service.

If you're referring to programming Howard's 3 alleged channels, the "they" you refer to, who wouldn't pony up the cash for better talent should be changed to "he", or Howard Stern.

He is/was given 100 million per year to program "his" channels. Instead of spending the cash to acquire some of the talent you spoke of (Danny would have been great. His show on 94 WYSP is good.), he chose to pay bowling ally contractors, and acquire many bottles of Just for Almost Men wig dye.

In other words, he couldn't care less about Sirius, their stockholders, and his fans, and fans of satellite radio. And it shows.
 

robhurlburt

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Oct 15, 2008
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a third channel?! I say drop 101, and give the bandwith to music. I would appreciate Remix back....
 

beaniemac

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Dec 12, 2008
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speaking of uncensored talk shows, I find the jamie foxx show pretty funny. I dont know when it airs, but I catch it randomly here and there on foxxhole. whats good is sometimes jamie is there, and sometimes not due to him singing, acting, and doing standup. but he has already groomed about 3 or 4 personalities that do just fine as his co-host when he's there, and do just fine in his absense. foxxhole doesn't have that many commercials either.