When executives at Sirius Satellite Radio committed half a billion dollars to broadcasting's scatological shock jock Howard Stern last week, asking him to carry the company and a new medium into the promised land of popularity and profits, they knew they were getting a talent famed for more than delivering humor and outrage.

Powered by its wireless unit, the Verizon megabrand drew $730.8 million in first-half 2004 measured advertising to lead all U.S. brand spending during the period.

The newsstand has become a lot more personal of late.

A closely followed survey that monitors relationships between advertisers and agencies is similar to recent presidential election polls: the results are too close to call.

Martha Stewart reported to prison early Friday to begin serving a five-month sentence for lying about a stock sale, the federal Bureau of Prisons said.

Howard Stern hinted broadly yesterday that he might continue his involvement with Viacom after he switches to censor-free satellite radio in 15 months. Radio's frequently-fined bad boy even went so far as to imply that Viacom could buy Sirius, the smaller of the two "satcasters" that Stern will join on Jan. 1, 2006.

That's the advice of author Juliet Schor, whose book shows how kids are harmed by "marketing free-for-alls" at schools and on the tube.

Consumer advocates say the FCC shouldn't promote costly new sets. The agency says it's educating viewers.

Potty talk could be just what the fledgling satellite radio industry needs to become a viable, mainstream business.

Eager to scrape the X-rated mud off the cleats of last season's Super Bowl halftime show, the National Football League will announce Thursday that it has signed a fast-growing mortgage company to sponsor this season's show. It's expected to be one of the most widely watched in Super Bowl history.