By Demian Russian
As was first reported on Satwaves, the long awaited Sirius XM (SIRI) iPhone/iPod Touch app was indeed released today. While the app does carry the newly expanded Sirius XM internet channel line up, there was a glaring omission — Howard Stern was not included. How could this be? Why would Sirius XM not include their most well known and well paid star? Subscribers are being told by Sirius XM’s customer service that Howard Stern’s absence from the iPhone app is due to contractual reasons and the company’s lack of “mobile performance rights” to the Howard Stern Show.
So when they paid Howard Stern all of that money they didn’t have the foresight to get the rights to distribute Howard Stern live over mobile internet devices — such as cell phones? When Howard Stern first came to Sirius, it was quite awhile before you could stream him over the Sirius internet feed. Was that distribution right not part of the original contract also? It was ironed out eventually and subscribers would eventually be able to get their Howard fix from their work computers. This situation will be ironed out eventually too. Howard Stern has too big of an ego for him not to want to be on the iPhone. His fans will also demand it.
Sirius XM subscribers have been able to stream Howard Stern on their Windows Mobile phones and Apple (AAPL) iPhones for quite awhile now already, via apps such as PocketTunes and SelectRadio. The company views these as rouge apps and has done nothing to try to stop them. Some of the apps even re-skin the internet streaming platform, which is in direct violation of the user agreements. Would it be up to Howard to sue these app makers for violating his “mobile performance rights”?
The Howard Stern Show is now available for free. The daily Howard Stern Show can now be downloaded for free via iTunes, iPhone and iPod Touch. Is this a temporary solution until Sirius XM can get the “mobile performance rights” they need, or is it a marketing move to get the Howard Stern buzz echoing? The screen shot of the iPhone app at the Shareholders’ meeting on May 27th clearly showed Howard Stern’s channel on the iPhone display. Sirius XM customer service is telling customers that they are working to have Howard Stern on the iPhone app lineup very soon. Until then, for now anyway, you can get him for free — no subscription required.
Disclosure: Long SIRI, no position AAPL
Contact the author: DemianRussian@satwaves.com
Posted this in the forum too…
So SiriusXM doesn’t have the rights to include Howard in the iPhone app currently, but they can give him away for free?
How does that work? Doesn’t sound like it’d be legal. It sounds more legal then the 3rd party apps that charge for a re-skinned media player, but still seems fishy.
“Your request could not be completed. The item you’ve requested is not currently available in the US store.”
Huh??
I don’t understand this article (??) How has SIRI made Howard Stern available for free on the iPhone ???? Post a link!
same thing not available in us. please let this have to do with the new sirius rocket f5 going to india..pleeeese there is something big going on
I’m listening to Howard Stern through iTunes right now. Go to iTunes and type “Howard Stern” in the search bar.
All I see is Private Parts, and the podcast stuff…
If this is free on iTunes without a subscription, it must be to appease the iPhone app crowd while also allowing more people a taste of what SIRIUS XM has to offer. There is no way SIRIUS XM will allow a continued broadcast of Howard Stern for free.
I get the message this is not available in the US store.
WRONG….WRONG….WRONG. try again, this has been on itunes for a long time and has not been activated with any content.
Demian, are you in the U.S.? Because American IP’s are blocked.
THEY MIGHT HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR COMPANY HAPPY FOR INSTALLING THE RADIO JUST TO HAVE PEOPLE PLUG IN THE IPHONE.THEY HAVE REV SHARING AGREEMENTS I BELIEVE
ANY THOUGHTS
I added the app & was furious that, as a LIFETIME SUBSCRIBER, that the streaming that I already paid for was *just not good enough* – that I would have to pay a premium to use the Sirius XM Application on my iPhone. After speaking to SXM’s incredibly ignorant customer service agents (including a “manager”) I have finally realized that Mel Karmazin & Sirius XM really could care less about the folks that have stood strong through thick and thin…and even lost thousands of dollars in stock!
There is absolutely ZERO chance that I will hand over one red cent for streaming!
Did I mention that I am absolutely furious!
While I won’t cancel the lifetime radio (that’ll go to my wife), I WILL BE CANCELING THE MONTHLY SERVICES THAT WE HAVE!!!
And what’s more, as soon as this festering dog rises another $0.17 – my shares will be sold and Mel Karmazin can go his merry way!
The Sirius XM iPhone Application has already been deleted from our phones!
Okay, I’ve tried it on itunes… NOPE
I’ve tried it on itunes on iphone… NOPE
What gives? Are you guys in the US or abroad?
HEY NOW!!! Lemme know how you are making this work. Uhhh, now! A baba booey to you all. As Miss Howard Stern would say, “Thank you!”
I’m in California right now and I’m streaming Howard Stern through iTunes with no problems as I type this.
Please fire Artie Lang, he just isn’t funny anymore. He was great at first but now he just dosnt fit the show. His jokes and Stories are completly un-funny with complete distaste, even by Howards Standards !!!!!
I’m in Cali too, still a no go for me… Very confusing.
Don’t you mean fiyaaaaa??? cliff or any1 else, a lil help here on getting it on my iphone or itunes. I’m a lifetime subscription member, help a brother out.
satwaves = FAIL
What you are listening to is a pirated version of the show that has been off and on itunes for YEARS.
Nice article!
@JohnWills
Lol, spot on John – what’s next? A link to a torrent site? There’s been MP3 alternatives since day one. Who wrote this piece? Bob Levy?
So you found a streaming Stern Show link and wrote a whole article about the show being available without confirming it with Sirius XM? Way to get everyone’s hopes up.
Download pockettunes and you can get Howard Stern on your Iphone!