As I reported here some time ago, Opie and Anthony and XM Satellite Radio have been in talks with CBS' radio division to bring the duo (and third crew member Jim Norton) back to terrestrial radio. Now, as of April 21, 2006, it looks like the rumors were true and the deal is basically final.
The new Opie and Anthony Show appears to be an unprecedented arrangement. The current show runs from 7 AM to 11 AM on XM channel 202. In the future, the show will be three hours on commercial radio, with an additional two hours that can only be heard on XM. For satellite subscribers, the new show will be five total uncensored hours. Opie and Anthony will reportedly be permitted to talk about XM on traditional radio over the span of their two year contract.
The deal hasn't officially been announced yet, and already the detractors are coming out of the woodwork.
Rick Aristotle Munarriz says at The Motley Fool:
XM needs to focus on building a better moat, and that means more exclusive content. It had no choice but to share Oprah Winfrey with the larger television audience, but Opie & Anthony are a different case entirely. Sharing the risks devalues the product when something so much more than a free sample at a mall food court is being dispensed. Why lend a hand to a competitor slowly sinking in quicksand? If it isn't a fair trade, don't you dare sign on that dotted line, XM.
I am looking at this deal as something completely different. I think XM is tipping their hand as to what their greater business strategy is going to be. While satellite radio is a cool thing because of the technology, it might also be the company's greatest weakness. Satellite radio is harder to use than regular radio. The signals and equipment have improved over time, but it isn't yet where it needs to be. We all know this.
Article comments
1 - Clyde 21
I just hope when the two years are up they return to XM and bring their new fanbase with them. If they sign exclusively with CBS that will suck.
Raaamoooooone get that 80's has-been off the air.
2 - RedSoxNational
wow.... well, if O&A are coming back to terrestrial radio there is no need for my XM sub. I will wait and see, but at this point i think i will cancel my XM subscription
3 - NancyGail
Do you know what the stunt was which got them fired the first time?
4 - FilteringCraig
It was an April Fool's Joke proclaiming that Boston Mayor Tom Menino was killed in a car crash.
5 - uao
Poor David Lee Roth; he never had a realistic chance, and CBS yanked him after gutting his show.
Opie and Anthony may turn out to be the make-or-break case for XM and CBS radio, and I'm betting on "break". No way they're going to get back even a tenth of Stern's audience, and the Opie and Anthony fans who shelld out dough for XM units must be pissed now that people can get the show for free over terrestrial radio. And CBS had better hope they've smartened up; unlike Stern, who knew where to draw lines, O&A are equally likely to screw up again.
Can't see this strange move being especially good for anyone, except maybe Howard Stern. If I were Les Moonves, I would've kept Roth where he was, and cut back on this year's Christmas party, instead.
6 - Chris
This deal works out great for both sides I belive. I've had XM for a year or so before O&A even started on there, and they have so much more to offer than regular radio. And I will still listen every morning starting at 6 now!! To the XM broadcast of the show, which will still be uncensored. I think this whole thing will bring more people to XM rather than drive them away. As for Stern's listners, considering only about 5-10% followed him to the Little Doggy company, they'll be right on board w/O&A.
7 - Jeff
XM over Sirius please. How many O&A listeners signed up for XM 30,000 what percent is that? The Stern show has never been better he's on for 5 to 6 hours each day and they replay the shows throughout the day. I've listened to both and Sirius is better of the two. I even bought a Sirius reciever for my father to use in his Tahoe, which is now XM free.
8 - Craig Lyndall
5 to 6 hours? He better with all the vacation time he takes. Hope you enjoy best-of shows.
And wouldn't you need a Tahoe to carry the Sirius receivers?