Category: Satellite Radio (Page 3 of 4)

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.

Ok, he’s not my hero, but after listening to him sit in on the Howard Stern show this week, I realize there is a lot more to Mr. Sulu than first meets the eye. I know it sounds like an odd combination, but Takei fits in well on the show. He has a great sense of humor, a velvet radio voice and surprisingly good timing.

But his best characteristic is that he’s a good sport. An Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonator called into the show and, despite the fact that the Governator talked about how he’d like to take drivers’ licenses away from Asians just before asking George for a reach-around, Takei was blissfully naive, happy to have the opportunity to question Fake Arnold about his decision to veto the same-sex marriage bill in California. Fake Arnold finally agreed to sign the bill. After the segment, Takei was excited about the fact that history had been made that day. Howard let George go on and on, but before the show was over, he finally let Takei in on the joke. Takei took it in stride and admitted that he can be quite naive at times.

Howard has already mentioned having Takei back on the show after his week-long stint is over. He was set to be the show’s announcer (from Los Angeles) but having him in the New York studio has helped the satellite version of the show get off to a great start.