• Los Angeles Times, Tuesday, October 14, 2008 9:15 AM

Howard Stern, the syndicated morning radio shock jock, has lost more than his huge national audience since jumping to satellite radio three years ago. Where once Stern commanded a parade of Hollywood's hottest stars -- George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Julia Roberts -- today he touts appearances by B-List celebs, such as Chevy Chase, Joan Rivers and Hulk Hogan.

The radio personality's leap from traditional media to a niche platform has come at a heavy price -- namely, cultural relevancy. He got unregulated creative independence and a lucrative five-year contract. But his past triumphs, including a hit movie, and

pay-per-view television specials, have receded into memory.

Sirius officials note that with their company's recent merger with XM, Stern can reach a "potential" audience of 19 million subscribers. But that's a stretch. (XM subscribers must pay about $4 extra per month to hear Stern.) Currently Stern's daily audience is only about 1-2 million, say radio analysts.

Read the whole story at Los Angeles Times »