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CBS, XM Announce Opie And Anthony Deal
April 24, 2006 at 11:43 AM (PT)
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It's now official, as CBS RADIO issues its press release confirming what ALL ACCESS was first to confirm on FRIDAY (4/21), the return of OPIE AND ANTHONY to terrestrial radio on WEDNESDAY (4/26) to replace the departed DAVID LEE ROTH show.
The show will air on CBS stations in six markets 6-9a (ET), simulcast with XM (in an uncensored form), and, as ALL ACCESS was the first to report, in afternoons 3-6p (ET) on WXRK (92.3 K-ROCK)/CLEVELAND (sister Classic Rock WNCX, which had been airing ROTH's program, is already on the hunt for a local morning program, reports OHIO MEDIA WATCH). The CBS show will be streamed on the Internet feeds of WFNY-F (92.3 FREE FM)/NEW YORK, WYSP (94.1 FREE FM)/PHILADELPHIA, and KLLI (LIVE 105.3 FREE FM)/DALLAS. GREGG "OPIE" HUGHES and ANTHONY CUMIA will then head for their XM studio for a two-hour uncensored show 9-11a (ET) on XM's HIGH VOLTAGE CHANNEL (XM 202) .
Stupid Howard. This is the move ... we do both (satellite & terrestrial).
In CBS' official press release, OPIE is quoted as saying “with the combination of XM and CBS RADIO, we now have the best gig in the business. The O & A Show is going to be bigger and better than ever.” A quote attributed to ANTHONY CUMIA says “we’ll now be able to reach millions of new fans and old fans with our new morning show on CBS while offering our loyal XM listeners an uncut show and two extra hours that will only be available on XM.” No quotes were attributed to sidekick JIM NORTON.
CBS Chairman/CEO JOEL HOLLANDER's official quote says that “OPIE AND ANTHONY have proven their determination to succeed in this business, and have a relationship with their audience that is second to none in the industry. CBS RADIO is well known for having among its portfolio some of the best brands in radio, and it’s great to have O&A among that stable again. Loyal listeners of O&A have grown accustomed to a show that’s real and entertaining. As we move forward, we do so with confidence that this new enterprise will continue in that same spirit.”
And XM's Pres./CEO HUGH PANERO added that “XM’s agreement with CBS RADIO is a big win for everyone. OPIE AND ANTHONY will now reach millions of new listeners and will continue to entertain the more than 6.5 million XM subscribers who have made their exclusive show on XM one of our most popular. XM is committed to creating the best content in radio and today’s announcement is an example of how we’re able to leverage it in a variety of ways that help build our business.”
Besides WFNY-F, WYSP, KLLI, and WXRK, the CBS show will air on WPBX (BUZZ 103.1)/WEST PALM BEACH, WRKZ (93.7 K-ROCK)/PITTSBURGH, and WBCN/BOSTON. In addition, the show and the HIGH VOLTAGE XM channel have returned to DIRECTV's lineup after listeners complained about its brief absence.
O&A were at one time syndicated on 22 stations before they were fired by CBS' predecessor INFINITY in AUGUST 2002 after the infamous "Sex for SAM III" incident in which a couple competing in the promotion tried to have sex in ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL; the show relaunched on XM on OCTOBER 4, 2004. ALL ACCESS has learned that syndication rights will remain with O&A and their agent ROBERT EATMAN.
In a special O&A broadcast announcement that aired at 9a (ET) today on their new morning show stations, O&A joked about sitting in HOWARD STERN's chair and about having to go out to WFNY VP/GM TOM CHIUSANO's country club to ink their deal, OPIE said, "Stupid HOWARD. This is the move ... we do both (satellite & terrestrial)." They also joked that there'd be a parade every day at 9a as they march down the street from CBS to the XM studios.

