Would Sirius XM's Loss Be News Corp's Gain?
(Sirius XM-News Corp. article on the prospects of Howard Stern joining American Idol updated with news and statements from the Parents Television Council)
NEW YORK (
) -- If
Sirius XM
(SIRI) - Get Report
truly cannot afford to keep
, could the satellite radio company's loss end up being a windfall for
News Corp
(NWSA) - Get Report
?
The
New York Post
recently reported that executives at News Corp's show
American Idol
are
enthusiastic about the prospect of having Stern replace Simon Cowell
as a judge on the show. The British producer will be departing from the show at the end of the season to launch the U.S. version of British singing competition
The X Factor
on Fox.
"There's not a better job on the planet than judging that f*ing karaoke contest," Stern reportedly told his satellite radio listeners. "It might be possible, we'll see."
Stern's appeal to these executives lies in their perception that the "shock jock" could be as ruthless, if not more opinionated than Cowell -- a possible asset in terms of entertainment value.
People
magazine reports that
Idol
executives may also be interested in the former head of Sony's Sony Music Entertainment and Mariah Carey's ex-husband, Tommy Mottola as a possible judge.
While some speculate that Stern could end up working for both Sirius XM and Fox -- much like
American Idol
host Ryan Seacrest, who is currently managing a career in radio and TV -- the primary question is still whether Sirius XM, whose stock is currently worth less than a dollar, can even afford to keep Stern at his current $100 million a year salary.
Daily Finance
recently reported that Sirius XM's chief Mel Karmazin recently said at a breakfast at the Paley Center for Media in New York that "I would certainly like
Stern to stay with us
when his contract is up at the end of the year... I'm optimistic we'll be able to continue with Howard. We'll see what happens."
According to the
Daily Finance
, Karmazin also said "I think it's great to be in content today... in this world of fragmentation, great content prevails. Howard Stern is great content. My sense is Howard would be sought after by anyone. Why wouldn't you?"
Of course, that is all well and good;
Clear Channel Communications
execs, however, are reportedly quite interested in getting Stern to sign on with them -- and are willing to pay him good money to do so. But there are those who think that Stern might suffocate in the confines of terrestrial radio under FCC restrictions.
So, let's just say, for the sake of argument, that negotiations with Stern and Sirius XM didn't work out after all -- and neither did those with Clear Channel. And let's also imagine that Stern found a new home at
American Idol
. How would that all work out?
It's worth noting that the Parents Television Council (PTC), for one, thinks that's a terrible idea. In fact, on Wednesday, the PTC issued a press release calling on Fox to "dispel the rumor that Howard Stern is being considered to take over Simon Cowell's seat." It said adding Stern would "spell immediate death for one of the best franchises in American family entertainment."
To drive home its message, the PTC describes sexually explicit remarks Stern made about former
American Idol
winner Fantasia. The group says this is an example of what Stern could bring to the table as an
Idol
judge.
So, would Stern's raw edge scare off families, especially those with young children? Or could Stern be one of the few personalities capable of giving Cowell and
The X Factor
a run for their money, and thereby protecting
Idol
from a cannibalizing effect from the latter's success?
To answer these questions, we turn to you, the readers of
TheStreet
. Do you think Stern as a judge on
American Idol
would be a good fit for Fox -- and News Corp shareholders? Take the poll below to learn what your fellow investors have to say.
-- Reported by Andrea Tse in New York
RELATED STORIES:
>>Sirius XM's Howard Stern: Bound for 'Idol' ?
>>Sirius XM Should Drop Howard Stern: Poll
>>Sirius XM Fans Sound Off on Howard Stern
>>Should Sirius XM Re-Sign Howard Stern?
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