They did what was best for everyone involved... except for the listeners...
Howard is the #1 talent at Sirius XM. Wouldn't it make sense that his show is on at 6 AM all over the country?
IMO, a "replay" isn't that until the show has previously aired. The West Coast Feed isn't a replay, it's a show for the West Coast mornings.
They could have gone 10-2 on another Sirius channel and replayed it at 3 PM on 101.
Maybe this WILL be the best situation for the fans...in the long-term. Sirius keeps Bubba. Bubba only does 1 show a day, and 2 on Fridays. He's at home with the family in the evenings, living somewhat of a normal life. He can watch his kid grow up and actually do the fathering thing that he probably couldn't do if he was at work from 5 AM to 7 PM four days a week. (I don't know his exact hours obviously, but that's close enough.)
We don't have to listen to him bitch out Sirius management and he has more energy to focus on doing a show. In two years, if Howard retires, then Sirius is still "warm" for him to come to full-time. AND we don't get the eight minute intro with the Jimi, "previously on", FTE, Gatorade Deal, and song, that some were bitching about.
We obviously can't hear any cursing, but does Bubba need to curse to put on a good show? No.
Over on the btls.com forums, Bubba said this was the last last last last last option.
Maybe once the shitstorm blows over, things won't be as bad as they seem.
As for giving money to other talent, it's a losing situation all around. Yes, those who deserve the money certainly should be awarded with it, but you can't give all your money to a few players and expect to sign up new subscribers.