The Howard Stern Diaspora

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Only a fraction of the audience followed the shock jock to satellite. Stations wonder where millions of ears went.

Can millions of listeners just disappear?

The self-proclaimed King of All Media once commanded a national audience of 12 million daily listeners before jumping to satellite in January. But since then, his kingdom has shrunk to a small fraction of that size. Meanwhile, the shock jock's main replacements thus far have failed to hold very much of the former flock.

According to industry analysts, the new Stern math scans something like this: At best, he took between 1 million and 2 million listeners with him, and his replacements, spread across many of the country's major radio markets, are drawing numbers in a similar range.

That leaves 8 million to 10 million nomadic listeners nationwide wandering the terrestrial radio dial in search of a new voice or sound to lead them out of the morning drive-time wilderness. Call them the Howard Stern diaspora, those legions unwilling to fork over satellite subscription fees and unimpressed by pretenders to the throne.

[...]

"There is nothing else out there right now that approximates Howard," said Harrison. "Some may eventually migrate to Sirius."

Then again, added Harrison, in perhaps the darkest scenario for the entire radio universe: "People have lives and they can do other things, including enjoy the silence."

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/...ack=1&cset=true

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I think a large percentage of people still don't understand the technology of satellite radio. So they don't even bother.

[Jenn! 918]

I think a large percentage of people still don't understand the technology of satellite radio. So they don't even bother.

I think we understand the technology. We just think it sucks.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I think a large percentage of people still don't understand the technology of satellite radio. So they don't even bother.

I think we understand the technology. We just think it sucks.

I don't have Sirius so I don't have Stern. You weren't one of the 12 million so I wasn't talking about you. I wasn't even talking about me.

I have XM. I LOVE commercial free music. FM sucks.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think a large percentage of people still don't understand the technology of satellite radio. So they don't even bother.

I think we understand the technology. We just think it sucks.

You weren't one of the 12 million so I wasn't talking about you.

Maybe she is.... member of the Lost Tribe of Stern!

[Jenn! 918]

I think a large percentage of people still don't understand the technology of satellite radio. So they don't even bother.

I think we understand the technology. We just think it sucks.

I don't have Sirius so I don't have Stern. You weren't one of the 12 million so I wasn't talking about you. I wasn't even talking about me.

I have XM. I LOVE commercial free music. FM sucks.

I had a rental car with XM for a week. Takes too long to change the station....

I'd rather deal with the commercials and be able to flip really fast.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I had a rental car with XM for a week. Takes too long to change the station....

I had the same problem with digital cable back in 2003. I complained, the guy on the phone pleaded with me that I stick with it, they temporarily lowered my rate, I said ok.. it's awesome now. Took 'em a couple of months to work through the kinks.

[Marilyn. 340]

no problems with flipping through the stations with Sirius

[Velvettt 0]

My husband bought XM radio just in time for the long drive north to come and get me when I got the visa. We both love it and never listen to regular radio any more. The portable unit can go in the truck and we can still get XM on our pc at home.

As for Howard Stern... ummm.... who?

[Bootylicious!! 2]

We have XM in both of our vehicles. Mine was installed when we bought the car, never have any problems changing the stations. Javier's is a portable system that we installed ourselves, never have any problems changing the stations. We absolutely love it and we also never listen to regular radio.

[Jasman0717 9]

I tried listening to Adam here in Los Angeles and that show really sucked so can understand if people just tuned out. I thought Sirius was pushing 4 million subscribers now so it sounds like some of Howard's audience followed him, I did!

[Matt_Stevens 5]

I do not listen to the radio enough to justify the costs. I was a guy who, were I in my car when Stern was on I would be listening. So I am one of the millions who now listens to NOBODY.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I think a large percentage of people still don't understand the technology of satellite radio. So they don't even bother.

I think we understand the technology. We just think it sucks.

I don't have Sirius so I don't have Stern. You weren't one of the 12 million so I wasn't talking about you. I wasn't even talking about me.

I have XM. I LOVE commercial free music. FM sucks.

I had a rental car with XM for a week. Takes too long to change the station....

I'd rather deal with the commercials and be able to flip really fast.

See. You proved my point about understanding the technology. thanks

[Jasman0717 9]

I have the receiver in my office so can listen at work and my truck came with a year free