Stations Pull Stern Off Air Amid Tensions

Citadel Broadcasting Corp. yanked Howard Stern from four stations this week and may never resume the show because of tensions over the radio host’s tendency to tout his upcoming move to satellite radio.

Stern plans to leave terrestrial radio in 2006, when he moves his ribald show to Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.

“Regrettably, Mr. Stern has transformed the content of his show into a continuous infomercial promoting Sirius, his new satellite radio employer,” Citadel said in a statement.

The company had carried Stern on four stations including in Syracuse, N.Y., and Harrisburg, Pa.

Stern had taken a two-week vacation break, and listeners were surprised when the show did not resume Monday.

Citadel promised to keep its listeners advised as to whether or when Stern returns.

Stern was not available for comment on Citadel’s move.

Radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. dropped Stern’s show from six stations nearly a year ago, citing indecency concerns. A spokesman for Viacom Inc.’s Infinity radio unit said Tuesday that there was no change in its plans to keep Stern on its stations through the end of the year, when his contract expires.