If you are looking for the funniest, most appealing listening experience in the morning, start with Opie and Anthony.
Since Howard Stern debuted on Sirius Satellite Radio, the debate has raged on and on about the state of “morning radio”. Arguments like, “who’s better – Opie & Anthony or Howard Stern” or “Commercial Radio vs. Satellite Radio” have become the raging debate amongst the millions of fans who now have to make decisions about their morning radio listening after over 20 years of the stability of Stern in their market. After giving it a month to heat up, sink in and find a comfort zone, it’s now time to look at the key players and what they are doing.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Scott
Used to listen to Stern in AM and Opie/Anthony in the afternoons in NY. Both were good in their way: Stern had more big-name guests, but Opie and Anthony's shows were consistently funnier--in part because more stand-ups rolled through there, and in part because their listeners brought more to the table.
Once Opie/Anthony were pulled, I was down to Stern only and began to find his show painful to listen to. Two hours of every day seemed devoted to his 'victimization' by the FCC and Bush or his eating habits/bowel movements. YAWN.
Over the last year I got XM and looked forward to my morning commute again. P.S. Ron and Fez=BONUS. Who else could have an hour-long debate about how many 8-year olds you could take in a fight?
27 - Adam
O and A are nothing great. They have not done anything to help sateliutte radio. They got little to no press at all. The last 12 months have been everything Stern and everything satelitte radio. These guys didnt bring 2.7 million listners over to satelitte. They didnt revieve a company that was dead in the water without Stern. Stern is the King of ALL MEDIA and that means satelitte radio too. Xm has o programming and just redo everything Sirius has been doing. Ellen Oprah Snoop Dogg what a joke. Stern will make Sirius the number 1 satelitte service by the end of his 5 years and watch it happen.
28 - Roger
Long story short, you need a year (not a month) to make a better determination of who's better. My money's on Stern over O&A.
29 - steve
Stern is a washed up peice of crap. ill give him credit in that yes ...he pioneered radio...but for someone to say thet he pioneered satalite when he wasnt the first one is bullshit. oh and for for all of you who say that howard brought 2.7 million...if that is the case then...o&a brought more hat 3 mill. so fuck off stupid AND I HOPE YOU DIE IN A CAR ACCIDENT!!
30 - CSK
SIRI = churn baby churn
31 - XMSR
Hey SIRI & Stern fanboys:
XM = more subscribers
XM = year+ lead in hardware
XM = better financials
XM = better programming
XM = true live portable unit
XM = still be in business in 2 years
XM = not raising rates like SIRI
XM = doesn't have that hack Hoo Hoo
XM = chosen by all the industry analysts
XM = not hemmhoraging cash
XM = the #1 satellite radio company
The truth hurts, ladies.
32 - Mark Saleski
wow, this thread almost matches the stupidity found in your average politics yammer-fest.
33 - Dan T.
Never really paid much attention to Van Halen back in the '80s but I'm really digging David Lee Roth these days. His first week was a horror story but a month later he's really found his sea legs and getting some good guests to boot. I think if Infinity sticks with him they'll be surprised at how popular he is after a year. His sense of humor takes some getting used to but it's surprising how educated and interesting he is and he really grows on you.
34 - Mike
REply for sirius on this data....
XM = more subscribers (True)
XM = year+ lead in hardware (True but first in isn't always best))
XM = better financials (lol sirius needs 6 million to be cfbe...xm needs 9 million subs... and they both have the same financials?)
XM = better programming (false...)
XM = true live portable unit
XM = still be in business in 2 years (true, in second place)
XM = not raising rates like SIRI (? wheren't they 9.99, and came up to $12.95... also sirius playboy is free.. on xm its an extra $2.99 per month)
XM = chosen by all the industry analysts (they all jumped aboard and are stuck with the sinking ship... look at instutional owners)
XM = not hemmhoraging cash (last check sirius had $800million)
XM = the #1 satellite radio company (true for now...)
XM... is lossing NASCAR 2007.
XM... Oprah is only on for 30 minutes a week.
XM... ??? why waste your money...
Sirius... Stern
Sirius... NFL
Sirius... NHL
Sirius... NBA
Sirius... NASCAR 2007-???
Sirius... Bubba the love sponge
Sirius... Lance Amrstrong
Sirius... Free Playboy with ask Hef anything talk
Sirius... 2nd to come out... but its like buying a computer.... would you rather have one from today, or last year? technology changes and sirius is in line to offer mobile video.
Sirius... Mel Karmazin.. (infiniy ex CEO)
There are two companies.... really only one choice...
Buy the way, sirius users have to go buy a unit and set it up....
xm since they where first online, had alot of exculsive auto deals (which automakers aren't happy with) gives xm the lead.
35 - tim
um, cant they both be good? i know, a shocking suggestion. but it is possible to like them both. O&A are like listening to your buddies talk, and howard is like listening to your family whine and complain. I like them both for two different reasons. oh, and, by the way, if O&A or Stern win the "war" none of you will get a PENNY! you have no stake in the battle! this is a ridiculous talk back! whew.
36 - jonathan
o and a are obbsessed with stern. There hole show is stern this stern that stern could care less about these two wannabes
37 - Roger
O&A made the jump to satellite, not to be innovative, but because noone on terrestrial radio would touch them. Howard jumped to satellite to escape the bullshit brought on by the FCC. Sirius & XM were not on the same level before Stern signed on, so the comparisons can't be made for at least a year from Stern's debut.
38 - timmykidd
Chris, great blog.
To comment on a couple things the last few posters wrote...
XM doesn't charge 2.99 for the playboy channel. They dropped it 10 months ago. SIRIUS, you can have it.
O&A are not obsessed with Howard; yes, they talk about him, but the show is not all about howie. They have tons of original programming and if you listened you'd know that. But you don't, you just know what you read on SFN.
If you're excited to have the NFL on radio, good for you. I watch the games on tv. Never got in the car to hear football when every bar on Sunday has the NFL package and lets me watch any game.
Stern didn't bring 2.7 million listeners to Sirius. Yes, since he announced his contract in October 2004 there have been 2.7 million new subs. Were they all for howard? Come on, be realistic.
Sure, Howie is programming 2 channels. Put interns and his parents on, have Gary do a wrap up show. Put a news team to talk about you then get pissed when they talk about the ring you bought Beth. Bubba (southern hack who was off the air), Bonaduce (western hack who was off the air), Ferrall (generic sports hack). Anyone think that since he has to pay for them out of the $100 million that he's just filling it with cheap garbage?
happy birthday jimmy.
39 - Frank Z
This is the paradox of O&A. They and their "pests" make fun of him for saying he invented everything (I invented the moon Hoo Hoo) but then they say that O&A are like Howard was in 1996!!! You can't make that comparison and then deny that they're doing his show basically. His OLD show that is. Howard is reaching a broader audience and that's been his goal. His show has evolved accordingly. He gets $500 million for a reason. If he kept doing the show from 1996, he'd be making $75,000 too!
40 - Matthew T. Sussman
Any love for Bob and Tom? Mike and Mike?
41 - I'm a Fancy Man
I bought a xm reciever about a year ago, based solely on tech. A month ago I bought a new car that came with a year subscription to sirius.
I find Sirius' content awful. They comedy channel plays dice and kinison, who in the 80's were funny, but not now. Brewer's show is better than Howard's but still not very funny.
I paid $40 to take the xm receiver out of my old car and another $80 to install it in my new one. I have both now but rarely listen to sirius. The only edge I would give them is the rap/R&B stations.
Howard Stern is not funny. Everyone he surrounds himself with kisses his ass. Someone should insert a cock in Robin's mouth. She should not be allowed to speak. I liked Stern, when I was 13. He is still doing the same show, I guess my taste has just grown up a bit.
O&A do have a very funny show. Jim Norton is one of the funniest people I've ever heard. His sit ins, Patrice O'Neal and Bill Burr are two of the funniest comedians out.
42 - timmykidd
again, a correction. O&A fans say that Howard was funny in 1996, not that O&A do his show from '96. Almost every O&A fan (myself included) listened to Howard for years. I listened from '88 to '04 His show is a shell of what it used to be. I listened to him for 16 years, how long have you O&A haters listened to O&A? Please say "I listened for a week and it wasn't funny". I listened for 16 years to Howard and heard the decline.
43 - I'm a Fancy Man
O&A get funnier the longer you listen. They have a lot of inside jokes that you start to get after a while.
I invented Blogging. Tell him Fred. Hoo Hoo.
44 - Frank Z
I'll take these point by point:
* XM = more subscribers
* XM = year+ lead in hardware
Which is true FOR NOW. And it's going to be embarassing if/when Sirius takes the lead. Teh technology argument is dead. The technology argument was used by all of the mp3 player manufacturers that have been put of out business by the "simplistic" iPod.
* XM = better financials
Based on what? Both companies are unprofitable and carry a good amount of debt. XM should probably valued a little higher based on having the lead but that's about it. I'm pretty sure that SAC (subscriber acquisition costs) have gone way down since Howard's arrival though.
* XM = better programming
Yeah and none of it ORIGINAL. Canned audio from televsion shows doesn't cut it. Sorry.
* XM = true live portable unit
That you can't listen to on the plane, train or in the gym. I have two words for you: i Pod.
* XM = still be in business in 2 years
Probably so but so will Sirius.
* XM = not raising rates like SIRI
An unconfirmed rumor.
* XM = doesn't have that hack Hoo Hoo
Thank God. Howard calls his own shots at Sirius and that's the way it should be.
* XM = chosen by all the industry analysts
The same analysts that said that iPods would be put out of business by CELL PHONES!!! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Apple then went on to sell 100% plus more units than the year before. I'm still laughing my way to the bank on that one!
* XM = not hemmhoraging cash
What you Opie marks fail to realize is that there are actually numbers BIGGER than $500 million. You look at $500 million and say "WOW! That's a big number! How are they going to pay for that." Ignoring that $500 million divided by 5 is $100 million. If Howard brings in 2 million subscribers, that's $13 * 12 (months) * 2 million which comes out to $312 million. Since numbers are already made, the deal is already paid for.
* XM = the #1 satellite radio company
For now....
* The truth hurts, ladies.
Yeah, especially when it's actually told!
45 - I'm a Fancy Man
I know 3 people personally that bought the sirius portable. Then returned it. They came out saying that you could listen to "Live" radio. Of course they meant taped live and replayed later. They changed the wording on their site. The tech arguement is dead. How the hell can you argue on Sirius' side. It's impossible.
46 - David Lee Roth
I'm funny. Don't believe the hype.
47 - Roger
One thing you may want to keep in mind is, how many pirate radio stations broadcast Stern show vs. O&A show.
48 - Non gay adam
Are you kidding me stern fans??
Sirius... Mel Karmazin.. (infiniy ex CEO)look where infinity is now Mel is only working for sirius because he is Howards fuck buddy. Howard is old news. Howard may have 2 channels but look at one of them howard news?? are you fucking kidding me any person who has a news show about himself is fucking stupid nobody cares about you howard except your few fans who take your every word as the word of god. The people I know who listened to howard when he was on krock did not buy a sub for sirius and they thought of themselves as hardcore fans.
Sorry howie you are done in this business long live O&A
49 - non gay adam
* XM = not hemmhoraging cash
What you Opie marks fail to realize is that there are actually numbers BIGGER than $500 million. You look at $500 million and say "WOW! That's a big number! How are they going to pay for that." Ignoring that $500 million divided by 5 is $100 million. If Howard brings in 2 million subscribers, that's $13 * 12 (months) * 2 million which comes out to $312 million. Since numbers are already made, the deal is already paid for.
You ignorant fuck do you think siruis only pays howard they also have to pay all thier other employees and jocks they also have to pay for the music they play and everything else by my numbers that comes out to a hell of a lot more than 312 mil a year
50 - Ron Greg
Enough with all the other crap. Its about morning shows.
I have both Sirius and XM and I prefer Opie and Anthony to Howard Stern. Plain and simple.
51 - Goblin
Stern is still doing sub-par radio. Even the hardcore zombies know it and openly complain about it on his fansites. The homoerotic humor on his show is out of control. They had a transvestite getting off on a Sybian. It doesn't get any gayer than that.
52 - Master Po
Just as a point of reference, I actually listened to O&A via bootleg for about 2 months before buying XM. Had to make sure it was good. It was, and is. Stern is an old hack.
53 - Bubba the love Sponge
I wanted to work for XM. They did not want me. I had to beg mr. Stern for a job. I never liked him. But I needed a job. I will no the on the air very long. O&A are pioneers on satelite radio. They were here first. Stern is old and bald. O&A are refreshing. Mr. Stern, are you the cause of your daughters attachment issues?
54 - Lil' Jimmy
Howard offers nothing new. His "hole" Robin has never offered anything to radio. She serves no purpose. O&A are funny guys. XM is selling at over $25 a share. Sirius is seeling for just over $5. This is not even close. Sure Howard brought over a lot of new subscribers, but with less technology and service Sirius is not doing well. Wait until Oprah actually comes over to XM, guarantee that more people will get XM because of her than those who got Sirius for howie. Oprah is the Queen. Xm will have 10 million subscribers by September. Sirius will have 4 million. Not going to be close.
55 - stefano
You are completely wrong on Roth. He must be one of the elite Intelligent US Citizen that is way everybody says the program is awful! maybe he should target low IQ audience to be successfull.
DAVID ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
56 - Teutates
Roth who?
57 - Shaun
By far I have the superior program because I feature Blogcritics.org regularly.
Seriously I wish all the satellite services well the consumer will be the judge, jury and executioner.
58 - Master Po
Hey Stefano...If "everybody says" the Roth show is awful except you, maybe then it is you with the low IQ or the low understanding of what makes a good radio show. DLR needs to re-connect with Steve Vai and the Bissonnette brothers...not Howard's old fans. And you need to lear how great O&A are.
Good Day Sir,
Po
59 - ed wolf
who cares?? stern fans will listen to sirius and dopie and anthony fans will listen to x m
xm is number 1 because its been around longer, Duh
i have had xm and the constant signal loss along with poor programing made me change to sirius, and i discovered that this stern show is compelling as well as funny.
thanks
60 - sid duncan
how come adam corolla wasn't critiqued ??
61 - Highpowered350
theres a reason stern had the NUMBER ONE show for TEN YEARS str8 in the largest market in the country and a high water mark of 22 million people listening those other dicks couldnt get half of that and howard left on his own he didnt pull a bullshit stunt and get blackballed and get forced into satellite radio
62 - David
What is Opie and Anthony?
63 - szwolf
BOTTOMLINE: the really smart people who think o and a have talent were mostly in markets that didn't have stern, therefore they didn't realize that they were listening to material that stern did 10 years ago, now on satellite, having both xm and sirius, it is obvious that o and a have people monitoring sterns show because the material on stern shows up on o and a a week or two later. I ll listen to o and a and then sterns west coast feed so i pretty much can here most of both shows, the funniest thing about o and a is the way they just steal material and manage to screw it up so bad that it is laughable
64 - Master Po
Yeah...that's it SZWolf. "Everyone in radio rips me off. Tell 'em Fred!" Please name any, and I mean any bits which stern did that O&A stole. Let's even narrow it down to be easy, retard! I have every show from both O&A and Stern since Hoo Hoo jumped onto Satellite. Feel free to point out ANY incident and we'll see what turns up and when.
You are a phony, and so is your god Howie.
O&A Party Rock!!
65 - Highpowered350
how about just being shocking on radio is a copy of what stern pioneered
66 - tommyo
hey opie lets make phoney phone calls and we can get some midgets and retards, ok anthony im glad you thought of that dopie. real original
67 - RK
I have had XM for nearly 3 years now. I added Sirius in December. For me it's about music and when O&A were a premium channel, I didn't bother with it. I have had the opportunity to listen to both shows in the morning and I generally find O&A more interesting than Howard - although if both shows went off the air I would still be a happy subscriber. The Sirius programming - 2 stations with nothing but Howard-related stuff is rediculous. It would be better to do what XM does and repeat the show several times so people who work for a living can hear it on the ride home or in the evening. Lately it has been a war of words between the two shows centered on personalities and the superiority of one satellite service over the other. BORING! I flip back to music.
68 - franksters
I think the roth show is awesome!!!
I don't know what you guys are into but I know I'm not into farts and strippers...
Henri rollins this morning, The jamaican bobsleigh trainer last week, that chick from the new-york post...
the political points of view, the sex talk, and yes backstages stories!
ROTH ON!!!
69 - Jimmy's "teriffic" hairdo
O&A are funnier than Howard ever was. Now don’t get me wrong I used to listen to Howard way back when. Yes he did take a lot of bullets for the shit that radio can do now but he has become too wrapped up in his own hype. He stopped doing a good show over 10 years ago. He went "Hollywood" and started surrounding himself with "yes" men and that was the end of an era. O&A are very funny they do tend to rant on occasion but they are owed it. They made their bones and stole listeners (me) from Howie on the same station 94.1. O&A are the new radio gods and Howard is a shell of his former self. He should have called it quits years ago. Howard was a bad mofo now he’s just so-so. To hell with Howie and his collection of jelly spined hacks. O&A were on satellite first they are the satellite "pioneers". Sirius was the first satellite provider. Remember the Snoop Dog commercial when snoop drops from space into that dudes car? Look that shit up. But XM offers better quality music, comedy and talk/variety shows. The choice is clear. Better than AM better than FM it's XM. Tell'em Fred.
I heard a report that the government was gonna alleviate Sirius' losses on their portable units by purchasing the unsold units. Word has it that they will be using them to rebuild the dams in New Orleans. Get it? Cuz they’re so heavy.
70 - NYCriminal
if there is no satellite there is no opie and anthony if there is no satelitte howard would still be #1
71 - clever1
i think beetlejuice is more popular then those two queens
72 - jeeb-jeeb
Time will tell in the end. However, what make me wonder about Stern is the way he no longer attacks. Remember the awful and funny things he would say about Mancow, Imus and even his "new best friend" Bubba. He was ruthless. He does not do that anymore, well atleast he does not do that to "Opie and Anthony". He may still do it to the older guys like Imus, but he will not attack anyone with the ability to fight back anymore. Opie & Anthony are hungrier, which equates to funnier. Not to mention that Stern is a hypocrite, how do you complain about censorship for your entire career and then force your boss to censor Opie & Anthony when you worked for the same company? He is an out of touch, grumpy, hypocritical, scared billionare.
73 - Highpowered350
howard attacked imus mancow and bubba cause they were morning shows but at least they tried to go against the king they failed but they tried those other 2 wouldnt dare
74 - Pat Battle
Opie and Anthony are far more entertaining than some old ass hacks from the eighties (DLR and HS) Those losers deserve to get brain cancer. Stern will not last the five years of his contract. He will definetly not gain a new audience. You devoted fans keeping suck on Howies C & B.
75 - Mark Saleski
somebody open the window. i think the carbon monoxide is beginning to build up in here.