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Radio Innovator Signs Five-Year Agreement to Broadcast on SIRIUS
Beginning in 2006
Landmark Deal for SIRIUS and Satellite Radio Industry,
With Significant Potential to Accelerate Growth for SIRIUS
NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "King of All Media" Howard
Stern and SIRIUS (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced today an epic agreement whereby
Stern will move to SIRIUS beginning January 1, 2006. SIRIUS is the premium
satellite radio provider known for delivering the very best in commercial-free
music and sports programming to cars and homes across the country.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991118/NYTH125 )
The world-renowned Stern is credited with revolutionizing the talk radio
format. He is the No. 1 national radio host among males 18-49 years of age and
ranks No. 1 in many of the 46 major markets where his show is broadcast,
including New York and Los Angeles.
"It has been my dream to have the top-rated show in radio since I was five
years old," said Stern. "SIRIUS -- the future of radio -- will take this dream
to a whole new level as I bring my fans my show my way. It will be the best
radio they will ever hear."
Known for his extremely loyal fan base and for his unequalled ability to
migrate fans to other media, Stern has embarked on numerous highly successful
ventures over the years while maintaining dominant ratings in his demographic.
Stern has written two best-selling books -- Private Parts, which was Simon &
Schuster's fastest-selling book ever, and Miss America, the fastest-selling
book in publishing history. He later starred in the highly successful motion
picture adaptation of Private Parts, orchestrated the fastest-selling
soundtrack in motion picture history and starred in the most watched
entertainment pay-per-view special of all time. "The Howard Stern Show" is E!
Entertainment Television's most successful show.
"Signing Howard Stern is, without a doubt, the most exciting and
transformational event in the history of radio," said Joseph P. Clayton, CEO
of SIRIUS. "He is an entertainment force of unprecedented recognition and
popularity in the broadcast world, who is capable of changing the face of
satellite radio and generating huge numbers of subscribers for SIRIUS."
"Howard is an incredible creative and comedic icon, and we are thrilled
that he chose SIRIUS to broadcast what everyone believes will be the most
exciting part of his career," said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President of
Entertainment and Sports. "There is absolutely no one like Howard Stern, and
I'm excited that, for the first time, his show will be heard across the entire
country as it was always meant to be heard."
Greenstein negotiated the five-year, multi-million dollar agreement with
Don Buchwald, who represents Stern.
Buchwald said: "An important new industry is being developed and Howard
wants to be its leader. He is truly excited to be working with SIRIUS, which
will not only provide a new and innovative platform for his broadcast talents,
but will draw on his skills as a businessman. SIRIUS has offered Howard and
his fans a great opportunity to be a part of something truly remarkable, and
we look forward to a spectacular future."
Through SIRIUS' nationwide broadcast system, Stern will be heard in every
market across the country. Moreover, Stern's tremendous popularity among
males 18-49 matches perfectly with SIRIUS' target demographic.
SIRIUS estimates that Stern only would need to generate approximately one
million subscribers in order to cover the costs of the deal. Total production
and operating costs for the Stern show, including compensation of the show
cast and staff, overhead, construction costs for a dedicated studio, and a
budget for the development of additional programming and marketing concepts,
is estimated to be approximately $100 million per year.
"When you look at his enormous existing fan base, all we need is for
Howard to bring in a small fraction of his weekly audience for this agreement
to pay for itself," said Clayton. "Anyone who knows Howard, and who
understands how loyal his fan base is, will not have a hard time seeing the
incredible potential for growth that he will represent for SIRIUS. We are
absolutely delighted that he will be joining our company, and we look forward
to expanding the scope and diversity of SIRIUS programming with him."
Additional information regarding the agreement is available in a Current
Report on Form 8-K filed by SIRIUS with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
SIRIUS will host a conference call today at 9:15 am ET to brief analysts
on the agreement. The audio portion of the call will be webcast at
http://www.sirius.com.
:Beer
Beginning in 2006
Landmark Deal for SIRIUS and Satellite Radio Industry,
With Significant Potential to Accelerate Growth for SIRIUS
NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "King of All Media" Howard
Stern and SIRIUS (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced today an epic agreement whereby
Stern will move to SIRIUS beginning January 1, 2006. SIRIUS is the premium
satellite radio provider known for delivering the very best in commercial-free
music and sports programming to cars and homes across the country.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991118/NYTH125 )
The world-renowned Stern is credited with revolutionizing the talk radio
format. He is the No. 1 national radio host among males 18-49 years of age and
ranks No. 1 in many of the 46 major markets where his show is broadcast,
including New York and Los Angeles.
"It has been my dream to have the top-rated show in radio since I was five
years old," said Stern. "SIRIUS -- the future of radio -- will take this dream
to a whole new level as I bring my fans my show my way. It will be the best
radio they will ever hear."
Known for his extremely loyal fan base and for his unequalled ability to
migrate fans to other media, Stern has embarked on numerous highly successful
ventures over the years while maintaining dominant ratings in his demographic.
Stern has written two best-selling books -- Private Parts, which was Simon &
Schuster's fastest-selling book ever, and Miss America, the fastest-selling
book in publishing history. He later starred in the highly successful motion
picture adaptation of Private Parts, orchestrated the fastest-selling
soundtrack in motion picture history and starred in the most watched
entertainment pay-per-view special of all time. "The Howard Stern Show" is E!
Entertainment Television's most successful show.
"Signing Howard Stern is, without a doubt, the most exciting and
transformational event in the history of radio," said Joseph P. Clayton, CEO
of SIRIUS. "He is an entertainment force of unprecedented recognition and
popularity in the broadcast world, who is capable of changing the face of
satellite radio and generating huge numbers of subscribers for SIRIUS."
"Howard is an incredible creative and comedic icon, and we are thrilled
that he chose SIRIUS to broadcast what everyone believes will be the most
exciting part of his career," said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President of
Entertainment and Sports. "There is absolutely no one like Howard Stern, and
I'm excited that, for the first time, his show will be heard across the entire
country as it was always meant to be heard."
Greenstein negotiated the five-year, multi-million dollar agreement with
Don Buchwald, who represents Stern.
Buchwald said: "An important new industry is being developed and Howard
wants to be its leader. He is truly excited to be working with SIRIUS, which
will not only provide a new and innovative platform for his broadcast talents,
but will draw on his skills as a businessman. SIRIUS has offered Howard and
his fans a great opportunity to be a part of something truly remarkable, and
we look forward to a spectacular future."
Through SIRIUS' nationwide broadcast system, Stern will be heard in every
market across the country. Moreover, Stern's tremendous popularity among
males 18-49 matches perfectly with SIRIUS' target demographic.
SIRIUS estimates that Stern only would need to generate approximately one
million subscribers in order to cover the costs of the deal. Total production
and operating costs for the Stern show, including compensation of the show
cast and staff, overhead, construction costs for a dedicated studio, and a
budget for the development of additional programming and marketing concepts,
is estimated to be approximately $100 million per year.
"When you look at his enormous existing fan base, all we need is for
Howard to bring in a small fraction of his weekly audience for this agreement
to pay for itself," said Clayton. "Anyone who knows Howard, and who
understands how loyal his fan base is, will not have a hard time seeing the
incredible potential for growth that he will represent for SIRIUS. We are
absolutely delighted that he will be joining our company, and we look forward
to expanding the scope and diversity of SIRIUS programming with him."
Additional information regarding the agreement is available in a Current
Report on Form 8-K filed by SIRIUS with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
SIRIUS will host a conference call today at 9:15 am ET to brief analysts
on the agreement. The audio portion of the call will be webcast at
http://www.sirius.com.
:Beer
