Clear Channel does not blame Letterman
For what we don't know but during Howard Stern's appearance 11/18/04 on CBS's "The Late Show with David Letterman," Letterman himself referred to a "Rolling Stone" article on Clear Channel which was less than flattering. In a statement, the radio giant said, "Clear Channel does not blame David Letterman for being duped by poor journalism." Appended to the CCU statement was a refutation of the article, which was sent to Rolling Stone as a letter to the editor which it says went unpublished.
RBR watched the "Late Show" segment, and while most of the facts quoted by Letterman and Stern were accurate (and most of the factual content was offered by Stern), there were indeed a few statements which are in need of correction or at least additional context.
The most remarkably bad? How about this: At one point, Letterman noted that radio was now basically in the control of three conglomerates. There are a great many radio groups ranked #4 on down that will have a tough time digesting that statement. Letterman also repeated the oft-stated claim that CCU is a leading contributor to imposing on the airwaves a bland, corporate-controlled environment. CCU disputes this, noting the 900 local PDs on its payroll.
Stern said he was fired from nine CCU stations - - the actual number was six - - and claimed it was for political reasons, in particular his opposition to President Bush (Clear Channel has maintained that it didn't want to subject it to further Stern-generated fines). Other than stating his aim to destroy radio in general, Stern had venom only for Clear Channel. He didn't go after Viacom at all, really, and said repeatedly that he had a good thing going there, but it was becoming almost impossible to do his schtick five hours a day while self-censoring himself.
RBR observation:
Like it or not, Clear Channel is light years bigger than the next-largest radio group. In its letter to the Rolling Stone, it claims 9% of all US stations and 18% of US radio revenue. "Neither come close to satisfying any accurate definition of dominance," it wrote. Nonetheless, it is so big that whenever anyone takes a shot at radio in general, Clear Channel cannot help but get hit.
Stern at least has a specific gripe about Clear Channel, whether or not he is correct in assessing CCU's motives. In general, the Clear Channel bashing was relatively gentle, compared to the individual who received the purest dose of Stern venom. That would be FCC Chairman Michael Powell. For the real take on what Stern did or did not do or say see Friday mornings 11/19/04 RBR #227.
Publisher note: Stern's vertical smile went horizontal. CCU sees Letterman being duped by poor journalism. Wrong'O. Both Letterman and Stern were pros. What is cheap is how CCU used its own three time daily trade publication consistently to fuel the fire of Stern, Infinity, against its COO Hollander. CCU, can't take the heat when put into the kitchen. If anyone was duped it was those taking the shots as Stern on Letterman last Thursday night and then Friday afternoon buddy Karmazin becomes CEO of Sirius. Who was duped and set up? Just re-read above and listen to Karmazin's first live interview on the subject. Next.
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
