In New York at his flagship station, WXRK-FM, Stern is #1 in 18-34 year-old listeners and those 25-54 as well. It’s his best showing there since the fall of 2000.
In Los Angeles, Stern is #1 in 25-54 year-olds at KLSX-FM, where his show airs. Those are his highest L.A. numbers since 1995.
In Chicago at WCKG-FM, his program went from #15 to #9.
It seems being the whipping boy of the Federal Communications Commission is good for business. I told you it would be. Six weeks ago in an article entitled, Is There A Bush Conspiracy To Force Howard Stern Off Radio?, I wrote:
Howard Stern, recently removed from 6 Clear Channel radio stations, says George Bush wants him off-the-air. He said, "I might be taken off all the stations very soon, and my last words to you are 'G.W.B."
...Howard Stern is doing what he always does: entertaining. It makes for a more interesting radio show to suggest that there is a conspiracy to rid the world of him. Radio people do this all the time: create a more compelling show to attract more attention and hence, more listeners.
Higher ratings mean more commercials sold at higher rates.
Radio may be a little more “decent” today than it was a few months ago, but it’s certainly not any less money-driven.
The best thing that can happen to Howard Stern and his affiliates is continued persecution.
It’s good for business.
