Stern Stuff

A couple folks asked to write what I think it means that Clear Channel Communications has dropped Howard Stern's radio show from six stations. I think it means Howard will wind up changing stations in six cities.

Beyond that, I dunno. It may depend on whether Clear Channel just wanted Stern off those six channels or if this is the first wave in a general laundering of the entertainment venues it controls. Somehow, I can't see them imposing decency standards on the rock music business and still retaining their colossal market share. And while Stern's show is no longer the ratings juggernaut it once was, there are many stations around the country where he brings in the A.M. listeners and then the station builds the rest of its broadcast day around that audience. So I don't think we'll see a wave of cancellations.