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Sirius Satellite Radio Signs Howard Stern to 5-Year, $500 Million Contract

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2004 - 2:58am.
New York -- In a major coup for the No. 2 satellite radio firm, Sirius Satellite Radio announced on Wednesday that it has signed a five-year, $500 million agreement with shock jock Howard Stern to broadcast his syndicated radio program on its satellite network beginning January 1, 2006. New York-based Sirius put the total cost of the Stern show, including production and cast compensation, at $100 million per year. Stern ranks as the No. 1 radio host among males 18-49, and has the highest-rated radio program in New York, Los Angeles and many of the 46 markets where he is heard by an estimated 12 million daily listeners. By contrast, Sirius currently counts only 600,000 subscribers for its $12.95 per month radio service, but is banking on a huge increase from Stern's loyal fans. "[Stern] is an entertainment force of unprecedented recognition and popularity in the broadcast world, who is capable of changing the face of satellite radio and generating huge numbers of subscribers for Sirius," said Sirius CEO Joseph P. Clayton. Stern's controversial show has drawn hundreds of thousands of dollars in indecency fines from the FCC, incurred by both his current employer, Infinity Broadcasting, and syndication partner Clear Channel, which dropped Stern's show from its stations in April. FCC indecency rules will not apply on the subscription-based, satellite-delivered Sirius service. "It has been my dream to have the top-rated show in radio since I was five years old," said Stern. "Sirius -- the future of radio -- will take this dream to a whole new level as I bring my fans my show my way. It will be the best radio they will ever hear."
tags: Howard Stern | Deal | Contract | Sirius Satellite Radio |

RealNetworks PC Games Service Hits 150 Million Downloads

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2004 - 2:57am.
Seattle -- Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks announced on Wednesday that its RealArcade downloadable PC games service has now surpassed 150 million game downloads since its launch in 2001. The play-before-you-pay service offers electronic versions of classic board, puzzle and card games; RealNetworks said the top three game downloads on the service in August were "Feeding Frenzy," "Zuma Deluxe" and "Platypus." RealArcade now delivers about 1.8 million game downloads each week. "Millions of everyday people are experiencing games for grownups because they find casual games to be simple, accessible, friendly entertainment for the whole family to play," said Andrew Wright, vice president of games for RealNetworks.
tags: Downloads | RealNetworks PC Games |

Microsoft Releases MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2004 - 2:56am.
Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft has introduced a new version of MSN TV, its broadband service and device that allows users to surf the Internet, send email, and access digital photos, Web video and audio files from their televisions. The MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, manufactured by Thomson under its RCA brand, will ship to retailers in mid-October with a $199 price tag, plus a $9.95 monthly subscription service fee. The service includes access to 200 commercial-free radio stations, hundreds of daily video clips from MSN Video, a primary MSN email account with 2GB of storage, and 10 secondary email accounts. Content on another home PC may also be accessed on a TV through MSN TV 2 over a wired or wireless home network.
tags: Microsoft | Media Player | Releases | MSN TV 2 Internet |

TV Search and Monitoring Services Firm Critical Mention Raises $2 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2004 - 2:55am.
New York -- Critical Mention, a provider of television search and monitoring services for corporate communications, financial services, professional services, non-profits and the government, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $2 million in its first round of venture capital financing. The oversubscribed round was led by Silicon Alley Venture Partners and Stonehenge Capital; Meyer Ventures, Pennell Venture Partners, About.com founder Scott Kurnit and other members of the New York Angels group also participated. New York-based Critical Mention's technology replaces the analog and manual processes of traditional broadcast monitoring, providing search and tracking for current and archival video clips as well as associated closed-caption text to over 100 customers. The funds will be used to expand the company's data collection network to the top 100 U.S. markets, increase sales and marketing initiatives, and product development.
tags: VC | Critical Mention | TV Search | Monitoring Services |

XM Satellite Radio Reaches 2.5 Million Subscribers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2004 - 2:53am.
Washington, DC -- XM Satellite Radio has announced that it finished the third quarter with more than 2,500,000 subscribers. XM said it added more than 415,000 net new subscribers in the quarter and is on pace to exceed 3,100,000 subscribers by the end of the year. The XM subscriber gain during the quarter is 75% higher than the 237,000 net new subscribers added in the third quarter of 2003. The company, which recently launched new programs featuring shock jocks "Opie and Anthony" and former NPR "Morning Edition" host Bob Edwards, also said on Wednesday that it will broadcast the final MoveOn PAC-sponsored "Vote for Change" concert live from Washington on Oct. 11. Artists performing will include Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and Bright Eyes.
tags: Subscriptions | XM Satellite Radio | Reaches |