Shame those nice folks at Sirius went and spent a whole half-billion dollars to bring on that Fartman guy. While the satellite radio network’s initial subscription gains were highly encouraging, suggesting their astronomical expense might just pay out, some enterprising young whippersnappers may have thrown a wrench in the works.
Since the presumable goal of overspending on Howard Stern was to draw and keep paying subscribers for the long haul, that business model would be vulnerable if Stern’s program were instead made available to the masses for free, no satellite subscription required.
And that, dear friends, is exactly what has been happening. Since the very day of his satellite debut, pirated copies of Stern’s show have been made available via online file-sharing sites “just hours after he signs off,” according to the LA Times.
Enraged Sirius execs vow to “vigorously protect [their] intellectual property rights,” but so far have been unsuccessful in permanently squashing the online pirates. And, if past file-sharing furors are any indication, Stern’s new employers have a Sirius problem on their hands. These file-sharing pirates aren’t going to change their ways just because you ask them to.
Because, hey: Farts want to be free.
