In many ways, this seems like a win for both Stern and NBC. NBC gets Stern and his legions of rabid fans for what will surely be a boost in ratings. People will tune in just to hear what Stern has to say. Even one of the Stangel brothers Tweeted he will now have to watch the show. Stern has a history with Sharon Osborne and Howie Mandel and can mix it up with them to make good TV and still get along with them. For Stern, he's slipping into obscurity on satellite radio. This will be a chance to reclaim some of the mainstream glory and power he once had. The part that doesn't figure for me is the reported salary of $15 million a season. Forbes also reported NBC would pay about $10 million to move the show to New York. I'm finishing up Bill Carter's latest book on the late night wars and $15 million is a lot of money for so few episodes, especially in the summer. That's more than Conan made in any year hosting Late Night, I believe, and that was a year-round, four- or five-night a week show. Could this an example of Comcast trying to make a go of it with NBC? Or is NBC trying to open a front in the summer when it doesn't have to stand toe-to-toe with the other networks? Or most likely, this was a story leaked from the Stern camp of what their opening offer is. If Stern does sign, it will probably be for $5 million or something like that, but that figure will never make it to the press.
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