Howard Stern, The Gift That Keeps On Giving For SiriusXM

SiriusXM Radio is hosting Howard Stern's Birthday Bash Friday afternoon and evening from New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The celebrity-studded event will naturally be broadcast on its satellite stations, but, in an unusual move, it will also stream the event for free -- worldwide -- through its siriusxm.com website.

This is a pretty big fete. Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting the affair, and among the performers who have revealed that they will be part of the show are Jon Bon Jovi, John Fogerty, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Comedians Louis C.K., David Letterman, and Sarah Silverman will also be in attendance.

Howard Stern

In other words, even if you find Stern's polarizing humor, interviews, and antics to be a bit crude, there may be enough celebrities whom you do like on tap to make it worth your while to tune in.

According to Daily Finance, Sirius XM is thriving and profitable with nearly 25.6 million subscribers. That probably wouldn't have been the case without Stern.

It may seem odd that the Stern celebration is being streamed for free on Sirius XM's website. Stern has been on premium radio for eight years. It may seem even stranger that the birthday performances will be available worldwide.

Sirius XM's coverage is limited to North America given the licenses and satellite placements.

Then again, the event could also be just what Sirius XM needs. The problem with Stern leaving traditional broadcast radio is that younger terrestrial radio listeners have no idea what they've been missing. Older fans that didn't make the leap to satellite have moved on.

This party will give Sirius XM a way to introduce or reintroduce Stern to non-subscribers.

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