The New York Post is reporting today that officials at Sirius satellite radio are developing regulations aimed at curbing the use of profanity and other objectionable material in shock jock Howard Stern’s program and others.
Sources at Sirius told the newspaper that increased pressure from Congress forced the company to make the move. Stern is known for his frequent references to sex and often features adult film stars as guests.
Congress has been pressuring on-air and cable broadcasters to curb potentially indecent programming or face tough new censorship regulations.
Just two years ago, the FCC increased its fines for airing indecent material from $27,500 to $275,000.
Stern left traditional radio in December for satellite radio after facing years of fines and accusations from the Federal Communications Commission for over raunchy humor and other purported objectionable content.
Satellite radio is beyond the reach of existing U.S. law covering indecent broadcast material.
In 1995, Infinity Broadcasting, which owned the Stern show at the time, paid a $1.7 million fine to settle several fines levied against Stern’s show.
More recently, in February 2004, Clear Channel suspended Stern’s show for from its seven stations that aired it for what it deemed as salacious material.
Under U.S. law and FCC regulations, on-air television and radio stations are not allowed to air material relating to sex or excretionary body functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. which are considered times when children could be tuning in.
It’s unclear whether Stern knew some limitations would be in place for his show when he agreed to sign with Sirius. But Stern has admitted to censoring segments of his show himself.
Stern had promised more adult performers and strippers and even live sex on his new show.
In October 2004, Stern signed a $500 million contract with Sirius which would pay him about $100 million a year. He also received $220 million in stock earlier this month after the company reported that it had added three million new subscribers for a total of 3.3 million.
Its competitor, XM has six million subscribers.
