This is more on the rumor that is going around. However, it is a somewhat interesting analysis of why it may make sense for O&A, XM, and the stations currently carrying Stern.

Opie and Anthony Taking Over for David Lee Roth?
March 10, 2006
Craig Lyndall
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While there is really no substantiation to this rumor, it is an interesting question. This was started on the New York Radio Message Board, which is run by a dentist named Allan Sniffen. So, take that for what it is worth, I guess. At the same time, you could make the case for this. The ratings for David Lee Roth are horrendous AND disastrous. The dudes at CBS are still furious with Howard Stern as evidenced by their $500 million dollar lawsuit against him. It stands to reason that they would be desperate enough to carry a show that is featured on satellite radio even though that might be their biggest threat.

I am going to go through the various players in this scenario and try to weigh the pros and cons for each.

CBS Radio Division

What's in it for them?

Ratings. Say what you want about Opie and Anthony, but they have proven that they run a successful radio show. Their syndication in afternoon drivetime out of WNEW in New York was a success around the country until they were kicked off the air for the Sex for Sam contest. I am not going to rehash the "sex in a church" thing here, so google it if you must. It might seem counter-intuitive to bring in enemies of Howard to win back his audience to "Free FM" — the CBS name for the medley of Stern's replacements — but good radio is good radio. If you have it, people will listen. (Or not listen in DLR's case.)

What are the risks?

Losing ground to satellite radio is one of the biggest risks that CBS could face by bringing Opie and Anthony to the free airwaves. It would seem to me that they would probably broadcast an edited version of the XM show as opposed to having Opie and Anthony try to do two shows. This will tell listeners that they can get a more complete and unedited show on satellite. It really casts "Free FM" in a negative light because it is just a "watered down version of satellite."

Opie and Anthony and XM

What's in it for them?

First of all, this would be a huge victory for Opie and Anthony in their longstanding hatred of Howard Stern. They have been after him since they were both working for the same company and a well-publicized gag order was placed on them due to Howard's influence with company management.

For XM, airing edited versions of the Opie and Anthony show (or airing them at a later date altogether) might seem like giving away content that people are willing to pay for, but it is really just a commercial for what listeners could be hearing if they bought into satellite. Every time there is a bleep, or some bit that the regular radio audience can't hear, it should drive people to either buying an XM radio or to audible.com where listeners can get uncensored versions of the show.

Also keep in mind that XM has already started to market themselves as more than just a radio company. They seem to eventually want to be considered as a more broad-based media company that creates content. In this case, depending on the terms of the deal, XM stands to drive business to the satellite service, if not share in some advertising revenues that could come through Free FM. But that isn't all. They could start to establish themselves as a center for content where they could add additional sources of revenue to the bottom line instead of just counting subscriptions.

What are the risks?

For XM and O&A, the risks are minimal. Earlier this year a couple of Citadel stations carried edited versions of the Opie and Anthony show while Howard Stern was on vacation. It was a limited experiment and I don't think the results could be conclusive after a couple of weeks, but it shouldn't really hurt anything. XM is always touting their commercial free and uncensored angles. This is just a further illustration of what differentiates them from Free FM.

The only other risk I can think of is if Opie and Anthony somehow change their show so that it fits more easily on Free FM. While they are capable of doing a good show even when they are being clean, I think more than a few XM subscribers would feel slightly betrayed if the boys self-censored.

Howard Stern and Sirius

What's in it for them?

Absolutely nothing. While they enjoyed all the exposure that Howard provided to them from his last year on terrestrial radio, they can only cringe at the thought of XM getting the same thing.

What are the risks?

The risk for Sirius is obviously market share in the satellite radio world. Keep in mind that even with Sirius' solid holiday quarter adding subscriptions, they still trail XM in the overall marketplace. Only time will tell how sustainable last quarter's growth numbers are, and having Opie and Anthony taking a slot on Free FM would certainly do nothing to help Sirius.

Conclusion

Who knows if this is even in the works? Like I said at the beginning, it is a totally unsubstantiated rumor at this point. At the same time, with CBS radio in trouble with David Lee Roth and the exit of Howard Stern killing them collectively, they might be desperate enough to put something like this together. Obviously, there is little to no risk for XM and O&A.

Would any of this really surprise you?


http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/03/10/182232.php

Rumor is confirmed on O&A show today.........

will they be able to mention xm without being beeped
_________________
SLACKER

http://www.nydailynews.com/03-13-2006/entertainment/ent_radio/story/399217p-338257c.html

quote:

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TALK OF THE TOWN: The local radio biz is crackling with rumors that Opie and Anthony, former morning team on WNEW (102.7 FM) and currently on XM Satellite Radio, will sign a syndication deal with CBS Radio that could include replacing David Lee Roth, current morning man on WFNY (92.3 FM).

So far nothing official has been said, and a CBS spokeswoman yesterday that the company would maintain its policy of not commenting on rumors. CBS did send out a press advisory listing Roth's guests for the coming week.

Opie and Anthony also declined comment on their XM show Friday, but in an interview last month, Opie said they were talking with unnamed companies about returning to terrestrial radio "when the deal is right for everyone."

This would likely mean continuation of their XM show, where they like the lack of content controls. But "90% or more of our show," Anthony said, would be suitable for broadcast radio, so a syndication deal would likely use an edited version.

CBS took O&A off WNEW after the infamous August 2002 "sex in St. Patrick's" incident. But by then they were a hit, and CBS' respect for their radio appeal is reflected in the fact the company paid them to sit out for two years rather than risk their being picked up by a competitor.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tommy Ceez:
former morning team on WNEW (102.7 FM)

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"We will never sacrifice the show we have here"

Still know nothing
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"At least there’s someplace to go after you suck, Satellite radio. It is the graveyard of has-been jocks.” - Howie

yep

quote:

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Originally posted by GatorDJ:
A spokesperson for CBS tells ALL ACCESS flatly that "O&A are not returning to CBS RADIO," responding to OPIE's prankish reference to rumors at the NEW YORK RADIO MESSAGE BOARD that "the rumors are true ... ALLEN (NYRMB operator SNIFFEN) got it right."

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quote:

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So far nothing official has been said, and a CBS spokeswoman yesterday that the company would maintain its policy of not commenting on rumors. CBS did send out a press advisory listing Roth's guests for the coming week.

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