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What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

post #1 of 41
6/23/06 at 9:08am
Thread Starter 
I don't want to copy the entire Reuters article, so here are
some excerpts. I'll post a link to the entire article below...

"Opie & Anthony" early ratings show audience gains
Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:26pm ET7


By Sue Zeidler

NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) - Radio hosts "Opie & Anthony" seem to be faring better than rocker David Lee Roth as a replacement for shock jock Howard Stern, according to preliminary data released by CBS Corp. (CBSa.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday.

Stern's former New York CBS Radio station, 92.3 FM, saw its share of 18-to-34-year-old listeners triple to 4.2 percent in May from the tepid 1.4 percent pulled by Roth in April.

In Boston, CBS' share of 18-to-34-year-old listeners jumped from 2.3 percent in April to 6.7 percent in May, and in Philadelphia, the share of that age group jumped from 2.4 percent to 7.7 percent, according to additional early ratings extrapolated by CBS from Arbitron Corp. (ARB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) data.


Click Here For Full story
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post #2 of 41
6/23/06 at 12:10pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

goodbye XM hello old borning radio
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post #3 of 41
6/23/06 at 1:03pm
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Huh?!
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post #4 of 41
6/23/06 at 2:28pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

from the time they were let go after the st. pats stunt , they would of loved to have gone back to regular radio. no one would touch them. xm picked them up and they have had a great run with xm. with DLR tanking the way he did this is a great for them.and they will say goodbye to XM and do a 4 hour radio program with 15 - 20 minute commercial breaks.that is the reason why they do those yearly contracts when their contract is up they will move on.they should of told cbs no thank you.i dont understand this whole thinking that if they are on reg.radio they can reach more people. they are on sat.it can reach far more people i know its a subscription. but i live on the west coast and cant listen to them if i wanted to.i can go out buy a receiver and a 13$ sub.and listen from portland to new york without changing the channel. thats what i love about sat. radio.
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post #5 of 41
6/23/06 at 5:13pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

They have just signed a two year extension with XM, signed just as the CBS deal happened.

They are on XM for at least 4 more years.
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post #6 of 41
6/23/06 at 7:52pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Their contract with XM, if FMQB is right, is just like a sports type contract: it's a series of year-to-years. Example: Warren Sapp signs a 3 year deal with Oakland, but at the end of each year, the team has an option to "cut" him and pay a penalty.

The same is true here with the deal for O&A, except kind of reverse.. they have a four year deal with a yearly option. Which means that CBS can buy out their contract should they wish in year-to-year contract established minimums.

Now, whether or not CBS would do that is another story. But if CBS decides to really spread their wings with this program - and good ratings can help induce that - then them gaining exclusivity to product may be worthwhile to them. And CBS, despite it's terrible losses in the radio segment, etc. in the last quarter can easily outmoney XM or simply buy out the contract to grab them.

Would such a thing happen? Who knows. But don't dismiss it as an impossibility. And in a sense, forget what O&A or any talent says about these things.. the right amount of money and a deal will lure anyone anywhere. Besides which, a full-time bit on CBS would most assuredly provide them better guests then the way they have apparently been ranting about the quality of their guests provided by XM.
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post #7 of 41
6/24/06 at 9:34am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

From the AP

Quote:
Jun 23, 7:41 PM EDT

Opie and Anthony Make Comeback As Stars


NEW YORK (AP) -- The comeback is nearly complete for Opie and Anthony. It was just four years ago when the raucous radio duo became shocked jocks, yanked off the air for their infamous "sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral" stunt. The pair are back now as satellite radio stars and terrestrial radio saviors - doing shows in both formats, and luring back listeners lost by David Lee Roth.

"Oddly enough, our goal a few years ago was just to get work," said Anthony Cumia, one-half of the once-reviled team. "We wanted to get a job."

Now they have two. From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., they host a syndicated terrestrial radio program for CBS. And then, for the next two hours, Opie and Anthony bring the act to their home of the last 20 months, XM Satellite Radio.

The move made them the first broadcasters to make the shift from satellite back to terrestrial radio. And it allowed them to take over some of the stations where their nemesis, Howard Stern, ruled the ratings before his jump to Sirius Satellite Radio.




"It's the best of both worlds," said Greg "Opie" Hughes. "We wanted to do this 18 months ago, when we heard Howard was leaving, but unfortunately CBS was still a little too scared of us. They had to fail miserably to see things our way."

The high-profile failure was Roth, and the former Van Halen frontman disappeared less than four months after stepping in for Stern. In their first full month back on terrestrial, Opie and Anthony repaired much of the ratings damage left by David Lee.

In New York, Philadelphia and Boston, according to Arbitron, the number of listeners aged 18 to 34 basically tripled in all three markets during an average 15-minute stretch of show - although they're not at the Stern level yet.

The pair was dumped by CBS Radio after an August 2002 stunt where they aired a live account of listeners having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral. When they finally returned in October 2004, Opie and Anthony bolted for the unexpurgated environs of satellite radio.

But Cumia said the pair never doubted they could make their show work under the watchful eye of the Federal Communications Commission.

"On the XM show, the content we were putting across wasn't really outside FCC boundaries," he said. "The subject matter itself, if the stories were told the right way, was fine for FM radio."

The duo initially returned on seven stations at the end of April; on Monday, WJFK-FM in Washington will become the 11th station to carry the syndicated program. More stations are expected to join soon.

"I'm not at all surprised about O&A's rapid recovery of their audience - they're talented pros and they have very strong name recognition," said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio.

Opie offers another explanation for their sudden success: "It just shows there's nothing to listen to. How starved were these people?"

Either way, the success provides vindication for the pair.

"We're happy to be in this position, it's the best of our careers," said Cumia. "A couple of years back, I never thought I'd be saying that. Our goal is to make what we call the greatest comeback in radio history
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post #8 of 41
7/15/06 at 2:15pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Wait, I'm confused. I thought I just saw(about a month ago) O&A on Foxnews(hannity & Combes) talking about how they were fired from XM and are back on regular radio(Howard's old spot)

I've been out of XM for a few months and am getting back into it next week.
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post #9 of 41
7/15/06 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Fired? No.

Back on regular radio (Howard's old spot)? Yes.
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post #10 of 41
7/15/06 at 3:14pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

fired-no

took david lee roths old slot-yes
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post #11 of 41
7/18/06 at 2:17pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Hmm. Advertisers received the quarterly arbitron books today. This is what they base advertising on. This is the NYC book.

O&A are on WFNY.

Mornings 12+ Demo:



MORNING:
WSKQ (7.0),
WINS (6.4),
WLTW (5.0),
WHTZ (4.8),
WBLS (4.3),
WCBS-AM (4.0),
WRKS (3.8),
WWPR (3.7),
WPAT-FM & WQHT (3.6),
WABC (3.3),
WAXQ (3.1),
WPLJ (3.0),
WFAN (2.9),
WKTU (2.2),
WOR (2.1),
WQCD (2.0),
WFNY (1.9),
WQXR (1.7),
WCAA (1.6),
WNEW (1.5),
WADO & WCBS-FM (1.4).

This nets them the #17 Net Market Share and #18 Radio Share in the market. This is down from WFNY being the #1 share within the market space in this demo at this time last year. The end cost in advertising revenue for WFNY is several million.

18-34 Demo

18-34:
WQHT (9.2),
WWPR (8.5),
WSKQ & WHTZ (7.9),
WCAA (5.9),
WBLS (5.4),
WLTW (4.8),
WPAT-AM (4.7),
WKTU (4.6),
WRKS (3.3),
WAXQ (2.7),
WFNY (2.6),
WPLJ (2.5).

So, #12 in the market space in the valuable 18-24. Just a note, that is a SMALLER number then DLR received at a 2.7 share, but basically stagnant.

They did not make the Arbitron top 10 market shares in the 25-54 demographic.

This, however, is just the beginning for their program, and really, their first "almost" full book (about 2 weeks shy of a full quarter).

This is not as negative as it can be projected, and I'm sure as SIRI and Howard fans will project it. However, it also doesn't match the expectations of CBS Radio, who had hoped for a top 10 in the 25-54 demo. No one had expectations of a Top-5 or #1 program, but to be outside of the top-15 markets in NYC with such a major advertising push is also a significant dissappointment to CBS. This effectively lowers the value of their advertising rate for WFNY, as consecutive quarters become a buyers expectation for media spots. As a result, falling outside of the top 10 in the 25-54 is a major revenue loss for CBS.

What CBS has found, however, is Steve Harvey.. who's morning African American centered program has rocketted in the ratings from 1.7% share last year to a 4.3% share this year. So, there is good news out there for CBS afterall.
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post #12 of 41
7/19/06 at 2:12pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

http://www.radioaskew.com/files/mp3/20060719_ona.mp3
this is the radio clip of kevin smith this morning's show, where he rips Joel Siegel a new asshole, and prooves what a tool siegel is.
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post #13 of 41
7/19/06 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Ryan,

Here is a shorter more precise audio clip at the confrontation....

Click Here

Very funny stuff! Worth a listen!
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post #14 of 41
7/19/06 at 4:19pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
Ryan,

Here is a shorter more precise audio clip at the confrontation....

Click Here

Very funny stuff! Worth a listen!
got a question, i would like to put this on a cdr, how would i be able to.
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post #15 of 41
7/26/06 at 8:48am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Ron,I'm sorry but O&A just sound like losers. They try way to hard to do what Howard has already done. Nobody has anything new compared to Howard. Ask the people who listen to Howard on Sirius. O&A will always be second rate. If you are on satellite, why would you want to be on Radio?? Defeats the whole purpose. XM people are getting ripped off.
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post #16 of 41
7/26/06 at 9:16am
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Hoo Boy. Somebody else with an agenda here.

Thanks for the opinion. It has been noted.
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post #17 of 41
7/26/06 at 11:20am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
I'm sorry but O&A just sound like losers.

Do they?!

Quote:
XM people are getting ripped off.

Hoo - hoo, I invented ripping people off, Robin. Tell 'em, Fred...
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post #18 of 41
7/26/06 at 11:39pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
They did not make the Arbitron top 10 market shares in the 25-54 demographic.

According to Alan Sniffen's NY Radio Message Board, O&A were #2 in Men 25-54 for the months of May & June and #2 in Men 18-49, second only to Spanish WSKQ when you leave out the 9-10 hour.

O & A numbers
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post #19 of 41
7/29/06 at 7:29pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

I think the O&A show has definitely improved after moving to CBS and XM. One major thing it has done is force the guys to get to the point quicker. When it was just XM they would go off on a subject for an hour and a half straight, then move on. Now they pretty much go in 20 min spurts due to the commercials. Occasionally it wrecks the flow of the show, but more often than not it just make them do a tighter show.

I was VERY sceptical, I loved the XM-only show and was worried it would get hosed by being on regular radio as well. I do get annoyed by the commercials, but in the end I think it was a very positive move for the quality of the show. The guests are better, the show is better in general. The only thing I really don't like is that we have not seen much of Patrice O'Neil since the move. I miss having him do the show.

O&A frequently refer to the show as a lifestyle, I have to agree. I find myself caught up in the soap opera of thier lives, I want the show to do well in the ratings even though it really doesn't affect me personally. I have a wierd culty uber-fan kind of reaction to the show, I am totally aware of it which makes it even more creepy.

I deal with the commercial issue by recording my XM feed and listening on my ipod about 3 hours delayed so I can fast forward over the commercials. That makes the show much smoother and makes my work-day much more enjoyable.
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post #20 of 41
7/30/06 at 8:03am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
I think the O&A show has definitely improved after moving to CBS and XM

As odd as it may seem to some. Being on terrestrial does have it's advantages for them. As has been mentioned, because of it, they are more concise in their topics and it does spur creativity in order to get around the FCC restrictions. I must say, listening to them on terrestrial really does point out some weakness in Howard from when he was there. He would constantly bitch and moan about the FCC and used it as an excuse for, in his own words, "Not being able to do a good show in 10 years" You don't hear that out of O&A. Sure they will question or complain about something getting dumped out of from time to time, but they don't turn it into their own personal cross.

Quote:
only thing I really don't like is that we have not seen much of Patrice O'Neil since the move. I miss having him do the show

I love Patrice as well. But, having him on the Free FM show might not work very well since practically every other word out of his mouth is n*gger which is not allowed anymore. I think they even mentioned something to that effect about Patrice and how they are holding back on having him on the terrestrial show but I can't be sure about that.

Quote:
I find myself caught up in the soap opera of thier lives

Which is exactly how they frequently have described their show. That's also the reason that I've lost much interest in Howard over the last few years since his life is now all about being in the Hamptons, dining at Nobu, whichever celebrity he his hanging out with and how he thinks he could have "Had Her" and him and everyone else on his payroll talking about how hot Beth is. O&A at this point are still "regular guys" and at least to me, it makes their show more appealing.

Note to Howard Fans who might be listening: I still like him, what has been mentioned above are simply my own personal citicizisms.
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post #21 of 41
7/31/06 at 1:51pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

O&A start in Chicago and San Francisco tomorrow.
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post #22 of 41
7/31/06 at 6:41pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by WillG
As odd as it may seem to some. Being on terrestrial does have it's advantages for them. .....

What advantages does this move have for XM subscribers? I am admittedly a Sirius subscriber and for fear of being branded someone with an "agenda", I'll ask delicately.

I don't know how I would feel as a paying customer if Howard announced he was going to feed his show back into terrestrial broadcast and in addition I would have to put up with changes to the format to accommodate such a move. His format is made for satellite as I am sure is O&A's.

But I am curious how the XM listener wins. While frequent commercial breaks may control topics and their flow, this can also be a bad thing. Some topics are worth the additional time and some topics are far less interesting with dump buttons... as I am sure both Howard and O&A fans can attest to.

I don't know how many subscribers O&A have directly brought to XM, but I imagine it's a few and how many did so with idea they were going to get something raw and unscensored?

Kevin
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post #23 of 41
7/31/06 at 8:01pm

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
But I am curious how the XM listener wins. While frequent commercial breaks may control topics and their flow, this can also be a bad thing. Some topics are worth the additional time and some topics are far less interesting with dump buttons... as I am sure both Howard and O&A fans can attest to.

Best of both worlds - when they get a topic that can't be properly discussed on FreeFM, they do it on XM instead. When they have a lot of material to do, the FreeFM show gives them the pacing to get through it quickly. The show now - and I think it's better than ever - is like a movie with an intermission: the first half is paced one way, the second half is paced another way.

Quote:
O&A start in Chicago and San Francisco tomorrow.

Damn guys, failing again...
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post #24 of 41
8/1/06 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

The FM deal was the best thing to happen to O&A
and their loyal fanbase -- including XM subsribers who
seem to be very happy with the deal.

Fans want Opie and Anthony to continue to succeed. We
realize that FM radio has given them the markets to do so.
The boys have a potentially bigger audiance than Howard
Stern has. They can reach more radios than Howard can.
Their markets are increasing every month through syndication.
You might say that with no-one else out there worth listening
to on morning radio, Opie and Anthony are slowly taking over.

Quite frankly, it's enjoyable to listen to what these guys have
accomplished with the restrictions of FM radio. I actually enjoy
listening to their FM radio more than their XM show because I
realize that their accomplishments in that restrictive format are
gaining them new listeners each and every day. When I hear a
first-rate show on their FM station, such as yesterday's show
poking fun at Whoopie Goldberg, it makes me feel good that they
probably just converted a handful of new listeners.

The commercial breaks don't bother XM listeners. During that
time, XM subsribers are treated to dirty O&A "best of" bits that
quickly pass the time.

The FM deal is helping XM enormously (and boy does XM need help!).
Each and every day O&A are talking about XM radio on their FM show,
promising that the second half of their show is going to be far dirtier.
All these new fans of O&A are now going to consider buying satellite
radio whereas they may have not before.

Finally.....

Let me comment on the "agenda" remark.

None of us have a problem with any Sirius subscriber coming into
this thread and politely challenging our views on Opie and
Anthony. This forum promotes lively debate.

When someone comes into a thread like this to crap all over
everything as in post #15 above, then that is considered to be
someone with an "agenda."
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post #25 of 41
8/1/06 at 5:11am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
The FM deal is helping XM enormously (and boy does XM need help!).
Each and every day O&A are talking about XM radio on their FM show,
promising that the second half of their show is going to be far dirtier.
All these new fans of O&A are now going to consider buying satellite
radio whereas they may have not before.

Ron, the numbers just do not bear this out. Not only have the subscription expectations been lowered (again), but churn is absolutely in the dumper for XM, which may or may not mean O&A fans are jumping ship for a show they never have to pay for, but it certainly does not mean O&A are generating enough new subs to compensate for those that do jump ship.

I understand loyalty to a show that one enjoys, but to say XM needs help because it's numbers are down and simultaneously saying O&A are providing that help is a little disingenuous, given there is no "O&A effect" being seen in the steadily declining numbers, especially the churn.
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post #26 of 41
8/1/06 at 5:25am
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Jeff,

I am certainly not disputing that XM subscriber numbers are down. I
am very aware that XM is performing poorly these days, and frankly,
I am very ashamed of what management has done with that company.

However, as far as I know, there are no numbers telling us how
exactly many subscribers XM is taking on due to Opie and Anthony
or any other source.

However, we do know that XM is still taking on subscribers. We also
know that each and every day O&A are reaching new listeners and
that their touting of XM radio must be helping the service to some
degree in obtaining new subscribers. It makes sense that more
awareness is being made of XM radio on the O&A show than any
other means of advertising.
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post #27 of 41
8/1/06 at 5:42am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

But Ron, what about the churn numbers? They are worse than the lowered subscriber expectations, which means that XM is losing more current subs than they thought they would. This is a big reason for the lowered expectations for "new" subs and does not bode well for XM if current subscribers are jumping ship for some reason. The fact that the lousy churn numbers directly coincide with O&A going to FM may be coincidence, but it is hardly a definitive sign that O&A to Free FM is "good for XM" until it can be shown that the churn is not due to O&A fans being satisfied with dropping the 12.95 a month to listen to FM. Until that can be proven, I'd say the jury is well out on this being a good deal for XM. Sirius can claim a "Howard effect" because the numbers say it has exceeded expectations and subs and renewals are still climbing, I hardly think XM can claim any "O&A effect" when the opposite is true for their numbers.
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post #28 of 41
8/1/06 at 6:12am
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

But Jeff, until those numbers are known it's purely speculation.
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post #29 of 41
8/1/06 at 6:29am

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
But Jeff, until those numbers are known it's purely speculation.

Both the view that the deal is bad for XM and the deal is good for XM is speculation, but the numbers certainly do not lean towards it being good for XM. I carefully chose my words to state that the jury is out. It seems to me that stating as fact that "The FM deal is helping XM enormously" is also pure speculation and probably should be submitted with the same reservations as my speculation that it is a bad deal for XM, considering the numbers in no way back it up. Karmazin has one theory; that exclusive content is good for satellite and having high profiles exclusive talent drive subs and brand awareness. XM has another, that farming out talent can drive subs and bring a bigger brand awareness for XM. So far, Mel nailed it. Sirius has beaten their subscription predictions ever since Stern came on board and marketing studies have Sirius overtaking XM in satellite radio brand awareness, something XM absolutely owned for years. XM, on the other hand, has only missed subscription marks and lost the battle of brand awareness, two things that the "Free FM is good for XM" strategy did not predict.
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post #30 of 41
8/1/06 at 6:38am
Thread Starter 

Re: What we all knew already: Opie and Anthony ratings UP!!!!

Jeff,

It seems to me your cause in this thread is to talk up as much
about Sirius numbers as possible. I get it - you are a loyal Sirius
listener.

Yes, of course all these numbers are speculative and I'm surprised
we are continuing to go back and forth based on numbers we can't
prove.

My only point was that the FM deal has to be good for O&A and XM
because it is bringing far more exposure to O&A and XM than XM had
ever put into the duo. The boys have a huge listening audience,
CBS radio has plastered their faces on billboards and city busses and
a new commercial featuring O&A is due out in a week. In addition,
the boys are touting XM radio every day to their growing listening
audience. Even without numbers to prove how much subscribers
this all is bringing in, you can't deny that the deal is helping O&A
immensely -- and that was the point of this thread.

I realize you want to rub Sirius numbers in our faces, so if it makes
you any happier, I'll cry "uncle" here. XM has lost. We realize that.
Doesn't mean any XM loyalists will switch over to Sirius anytime soon,
though.
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