Comments on: Howard Stern Needs to Offer Podcasts

By: Nathan Weinberg

Nathan Weinberg — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:52:00 +0000

Well, if your MP3 player supports Audible, you can at least download Opie and Anthony, which many former Stern listeners have turned to. If you don’t mind bit torrent, I’ve been downloading their show from there for two years now (and the same community uploads Howard’s show as well).

I’ve tried to sign up for satelite, but they have too many technical issues to justify the purchase. Since I don’t drive, I’d need to be near a windows all morning to even have a chance of getting a signal, as well as avoid subways, scheduling my life around pointing to the satelite. For now, satelite is just not as reliable as downloading the show an hour after it ends, at least for non-drivers.

By: Greg W

Greg W — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:48:00 +0000

Thomas, you're probably already aware of this, but for those who might not be. Howard Stern has been available in mp3 format for at least the last 1.5-2yrs through you guessed it .. bittorrent.

The quality is actually very good anywhere from 24 - 128kbps. Availability is not an issue. Let me say this. I haven't missed a show in that timeframe. I know how many view bittorrent, but I started to download him because I live in Canada and he was no longer available here. He is now available in Canada through Sirius now but I still get my fix because...like you I need him during my morning and evening commute.

I've posted suggestions on various forums and through emails to him that he offer a podcast; but even recently on his show he scoffed at the idea. He's ALL about paid content. I can't blame him for that and they have recently made the stream available. But with no cheap, convenient way to "bring him with me" on my iPod...I'll continue to download. Bad habits die hard.

BTW, I have to say he is worth the Sirius subscription price regardless of my actions.

Cheers

By: Mike D

Mike D — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:42:00 +0000

I agree that podcasts are the ultimate in flexibility. I have to say, you are the first person that I know (through your blog) who owns an underwater mp3 player!

By: Thomas Hawk

Thomas Hawk — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:20:00 +0000

Mike D. In order to do this I would at minimum need to add a data plan to my cell phone plan (which I think is $10 plus useage costs). I would also need to be someplace within coverage so underground on the BART would likely not work.

I also could not use the service when I was swimming (working out) with my new underwater mp3 player.

An interesting feature but still not enough to pique my interest. I'll sign up when I can download these shows onto my own portable device for play anywhere, anytime.

By: Mike D

Mike D — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 12:40:00 +0000

Regarding the cell phone option, there is software out there (not blessed by Sirius) that allows you to stream Sirius (including Howard) to your phone via Windows Media Player. It works great. Also, the new Stiletto portable player that is coming out soon will be WiFi enabled. They really should drop the “Satellite” from their name and just call themselves Sirius Radio. Satellite is just one of many distribution channels for them.

By: Thomas Hawk

Thomas Hawk — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:56:00 +0000

Yes, but I can’t take it with me and play it on my cell phone which is my mp3 player of choice. I also can’t play it on these new underwater headphones I recently got.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 10:06:00 +0000

Subscribers to Sirrius can stream howard 24×7 to their PCs. Since he repeats his show all day on channel 100, you can always catch it. At the same time, you get all the music channels which are great!