Mass Communication 124
The Howard Stern Show
Nora Pittner
11/30/20
Glantz
Come 124
Radio has been a powerful medium throughout the history of our country. Before the invention of television, radio was the biggest and cheapest form of entertainment. Radio was popularized throughout the early 1900’s specifically during the ’20s and ’30s, with multiple forms of entertainment from music, news, and shows, to both talk and story shows. Another aspect that made radio extremely popular and prevalent was Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats”. Popular throughout his presidency, these 30 speeches made the American people feel comforted during times of chaos. Throughout history, radio has been a vehicle for entertainment and news, not popular as it once was but nonetheless has not lost its importance.
Howard Stern was introduced to radio during a very pivotal time in its history. He was shown this medium by his father who was a sound engineer at the time. Howard was a very shy and awkward child, when shown this medium he found his outlet. He started by creating his own show using a tape recorder. Stern later attended Boston University where he worked for the university’s radio program. In 1976, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication. Howard Stern’s less successful attempts for popularity in Hartford, Connecticut, and Detroit, Michigan led him to Washington D.C. There he met and teamed up with co-host Robin Quivers. Their careers took off when they signed a contract with WNBC (AM), owned and an affiliate of NBCUniversal, in 1982. After continuing their self-deprecating jokes and the overall sexual nature of the show, WNBC fired them. One year later their contract was terminated for the same outrageous humor and for putting the station at risk with, what can be found as racist and misogynistic commentary. WXRK (FM), now WNYL and owned by Entercom, fired them in 1985. These jokes and explicit conversations did not go unpunished and caught the attention of a powerful group
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the regulatory authority of all broadcasting, had fined Stern over two million dollars due to breaking decency and obscenity regulations. As a result of breaking those regulations, many groups came together to boycott the show. Stern fought these fines on the basis of the first amendment right, freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and protest. Stern and Quivers left the AM/FM band and signed a five-year, $500 million contract with Sirius Satellite Radio, now known as Sirius XM Radio. Sirius is known as a duopoly, they own many radio stations throughout the country. This is only possible due to the deregulation in 1996 of having a single radio station. Sirius has many subscribers for Stern’s program to continue to be successful. The success continued for both parties since he re-signed with Sirius multiple times. Profitability for both parties validates the appeal, popularity, and entertainment value of the content.
The show’s content was outrageous from the very beginning with interviews of lesbian women, self-deprecating jokes, commentary on sex, bodily functions, and in-studio visits by nude women, broadcast on air in detail. When based in D.C., their popularity grew. Many people found Howard’s “shock-jock” approach provocative and appealing. He always devised ways to shock listeners and keep them on their toes, never knowing what to expect. The Howard Stern Show has a very interesting format, it follows one of a talk show but a very unconventional one. Based on the demographics of the show “74% of his audience are between 25-54 years of age with an average household income of $160k. 73% Male and 27% female. 34% college graduates, 85% white” (Howard Stern Radio Network). Some may argue that these specific statistics narrowly define his audience.
Radio, TV, and many other entertainment mediums are constantly changing and adapting to new technological advances. While the execution of interviews or skits may have stayed the same, by Stern and other broadcasters, software and hardware technology behind a show’s production is constantly changing since the invention and introduction of radio.
The content delivered by Stern is not strikingly socio-political. Many of his guests have been fellow celebrities and entertainers on Stern’s show. Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, he was a frequent guest on Stern’s show. However, Stern has become more vocal about his political opinions and seems to lean towards libertarianism, and openly supported Joe Biden. Though bringing politics into his show is a new endeavor for Stern, he grew more vocal about politics and socio-political issues. He attributes this format change to his wife and daughter.
The artifact is part of a newer trend in media of subscriptions in order to release content that does not need to abide by FCC regulations. Stern, although has always participated in a talk show platform, is part of a time where talk shows of any kind whether late-night or radio have seen a large increase. Not only that but many different mediums of media are coming together (Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc) in order to view content. Stern through years of experience has always found a way to stay relevant and popular even with growing older along with his audience.
Radio evolved significantly over the years enriching the history of this medium. Howard Stern is a “shock-jock” who beat the odds of changing times by maturing along with his content. One may say his antics have kept radio alive and those of other disc jockeys. Recently with newer media mediums, radio and its popularity have declined a bit yet have never gone away. One day this medium may cease to exist but radio and The Howard Stern Show will have left its long impact on our country’s history of radio.
Reference List
Augustyn, Adam. “Howard Stern.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 13 Aug. 2009, www.britannica.com/biography/Howard-Stern.
Baran, Stanley J. Introduction to Mass Communication Media Literacy and Culture. 10th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2021.
Editors, History.com. “The Fireside Chats.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 23 Apr. 2010, www.history.com/topics/great-depression/fireside-chats.
Scott, Carole E. “The History of the Radio Industry in the United States to 1940.” EHnet, 2008, eh.net/encyclopedia/the-history-of-the-radio-industry-in-the-united-states-to-1940/.Sterling, Christopher H. “New Initiatives, 1960–80.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 29 Sept. 2011, www.britannica.com/topic/radio/New-initiatives-1960-80.
