Bubba the Love Sponge Returns to Free Commercial Radio in Tampa and Jacksonville

Nearly four years after earning what was then the highest single FCC indecency fine in history, shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem is returning to free "terrestrial" radio in January, appearing on Cox Radio stations in Tampa and Jacksonville in a deal valued at seven figures.

On Jan. 8, Clem will take over morning drive time at WHPT-102.5 FM (The Bone) in Tampa and WFYV-104.5 FM in Jacksonville, hosting a show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Then, he'll host a national show for Sirius Satellite Radio from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Combined, both radio deals are worth more than $3-million annually for Clem's production company. (former Bubba producer Mike "Cowhead" Calta will move from mornings at The Bone to afternoon drive, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Jan. 7)

"I want to do both (free radio and satellite), because I have a lot of unfinished business in the market," said Clem, calling by cellphone this morning from New York City, where he celebrated his new deal with Sirius on boss Howard Stern's radio show.  "I never got to say goodbye to the fans. I was thrown off the air by Clear Channel -- which hung me out to dry."

Clear Channel Radio fired Clem, then Tampa's highest-rated morning personality, in February 2003 after he earned a record $755,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission for broadcasting skits in which cartoon characters talked about sex and drugs. Fired days before Clear Channel executives were to face a U.S. Senate hearing on radio indecency, Clem has always said that company never gave him warning that he was crossing a serious line until he was ejected.

Out of work for nearly two years, Clem's career was resuscitated Jan. 9, 2006 when Stern tapped him to work the drive time shift on one of two channels Sirius was formatting around the self-styled King of All Media. Now, Clem will return to the Tampa free radio market two years later -- almost to the day -- after scoring ratings on Sirius making him the Number Two personality on the satellite service (behind Stern).

"I gotta stay away from the sex stuff, basically," said Clem, who often features graphic appearances by strippers on his satellite radio show, which is not bound by government radio indecency rules. "I don't want to get fired again. If I get fired again on regular radio, I'm a one-trick Willie...and I know I'm coming back with a huge target on my back."

While on terrestrial radio in Tampa, Clem was fined for broadcasting someone receiving a milk enema and was tried for animal cruelty after broadcasting the castration of a pig (he eventually beat the charges). And he's raised the stakes on satellite: In one stunt, a man's shaved genitals were sprayed with carburetor cleaner; and an Internet porn model sued Clem last year, accusing him of forcing her to use a too-large sex toy.

So the question falls to Cox Radio executives: Why hire a guy who earned a $755,000 fine from the FCC the last time he was on free radio?

"I think Bubba is more concerned about this than I am," said Jay O'Connor, regional vice president and Tampa market manager for Cox Radio. A friend of Clem's who attended his Jan. 13 wedding, O'Connor spent months negotiating with Clem's agent to set up the deal.

O'Connor says Cox had a strict indecency policy that prohibits graphic talk about sex acts, among other things. Clem's show will operate with a 10-second delay, with pre-taped skits screened by executives and advance notice required for any controversial bits.

And if Clem crosses the line, drawing another FCC fine? "Depending on the nature of the utterance, that probably means we would discontinue the program," O'Connor said. "The stakes are high. And Bubba knows the stakes. He's said to me 'I know I can't afford another mistake.'"

Now age 41 and married with a son and stepdaughter, Clem even disavows his most notorious prank, saying he would not air the pig castration he once defended in court. "It wasn't illegal, but it was distasteful," he said. "After having done it and saw how much of a grotesque act it was, I don't want to see it. It offended me, too."

Comments

long live Bubba on Sirius

[Josh]

Cowhead sucks so much its unreal, BUUUUUBBBBBBBAAAAAAAA AAAAAARRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY

[bob]

if it weren't for bubba, cowhead WOULD NOT be on radio in tampa. also, watch the ratings!!! fools.

[Cowhead Rules]

I don't care about Bubba or MJ morning shows. Bring back Cowhead in the morning!

[Drive-In-Freak]

Who under the age of forty still listens to the radio?

The number of radio listeners is dwindling at an alarming rate do to awful programming, mp3 players and podacsting.

Ask about any teenager or person in their 20s what their favorite radio station is and they'll look at you like you're from mars.

Video didn't kill the radio star after all..the iPod did.

glad bubba is back, mj is a bleeding vag

[Ronnie G]

Bubba Rocks! He's the man and Ned's the man. Tampa and Jax look out..big stuff happening. He'll keep it clean. Bubba's a very intelligent, sharp broadcaster and can have a great show without f-bombs. I love his Sirius show too..but he'll be mellow in the mornings. Not sure how Ned's gonna wake up to be at work at 6 every morning. Happy New Year Tampa and Jacksonville. Yo Bubba!!

[Connor Peterson]

I hope bubba slips and falls into a puddle of AIDS.

[ramone]

He stinks, and I dont' like him!

Ramone and Frunkus in the morning.
6-10am WHIV 106.3

[NewWaveDave]

Spice returned to the show last year after he and Cowhead were fired from 98 Rock.

Bubba gave Cowhead his name and his start in Morning radio, but Cowhead has forged his own fan base and style that takes his show to a whole different level. Bubba is OK, and I'll give him a shot, but if I am still disappointed, I'll start listening to my iPod on the drive in and Cowhead on the way home.

[Bubba mark]

Listen i have Sirius and i have it for Bubba, and to everyone who says they dont like Bubba DONT LISTEN!!!!!! Who cares what you think!?!?!?! And yes everyone is still on the show! YAAAAAAAA Bubba!!!

[Dan]

Spice returned to the show late last year.

[Schnitt]

When did Spice Boy return to the show?

[Dan]

Quote: John
"I just hope Cox remembers who put 102.5 on the map. Cowhead rules."

Response:
Don't forget who put Cowhead on the map, Bubba.

[sam]

Got turned onto Bubba on sirius trust me folks this is a 3 year bid, then he'll get the big contract after stern semi retires, hell stern may do afternoons out of Bubbas studio when hes doing mornings in 2011

[Jeffrey]

Good for Bubba, he deserves the chance.
I am sure the Sirius people are not happy with Bubba now being in the same time slot vs. Howard in the morning. I would also bet they will be watching new subscribtion rates in Tampa and Jax. after Bubba's arrival.
This may not be good for the show on Sirius in the future. We will see.
My best guess is that this is the last year for Bubba on Sirius unless he so overwhelmingly dominates the Tampa and Jacksonville markets that Sirius has to sign him again and for more money. A tall order indeed. I wish him the best. Jeff

Cow will do just fine... I feel bad for Galvin and Moose who will literally disappear from the program b/c Cox isn't going to shell out all those salaries unless the BTLS crew will be working for peanuts and crackerjacks... But either way something to get excited about... We haven't heard from Bubba terrestrially since what seems like 1915. Hopefully we will get quality "shock jock" programming instead of prepackaged garbage. Cowhead is great in the mornings and his afternoon drive spot will be good for him.... Sorry Ledger.. Bubba Clem is back in town.... and Deputy Cowhead needs to move backwards

[KyleT]

Don't you people realize that this show is going to be so WATERED DOWN by Cox standards, it will be a shadow of its former 98Rock run. I have listened to Bubba for years and believe that many will be disappointed at the PG rated Bubba-lite version. Expectations will not be met...

[Mike]

BEST NEWS ALL YEAR!!! BUBBA AND CREW ARE THE BEST! I A HUGE BUBBA MARK, I HOPE THE 10 HOUR TURNAROUND WILLIE EVERY DAY DOESN'T KILL BUBBA.

[NewWaveDave]

I feel this is a slap in the face to Cowhead who literally brought The Bone back from obscurity. Cowhead is saying that he is happy, but from what I understand of Radio the morning show is the Prime Time.

[JimmyC]

Im a Sirius Listener and Bubba mark and Tampa.. be ready!! Im not even close to Florida and wont be able to hear the new show.. but if you Tampa ppl thought he was good before.. just wait.. from what i hear of him now.. u ppl will be blown away!!

[BrianG]

Bubba ROCKS , and i think it is so funny hes kicking his former employee CowHead to the afternoon..... Now i can listen in the morning and in the afternoon... my day will go fast ... with alot of laughs.

Cox is the hero here; hero for free speech in the face of the abusive right wing Bush administration's pandering to the Christian right wing. I hope you go some good material about them!

[Jase]

Bubba & Crew,

Welcome Back Home!!!! I think we've all had enough of MJ & "Michelle" in the morning. I hope you "Bring It" in a bit more tasteful way this time. You Rock, and I wish you well.

[R]

Would rather listen to Sponge Bob...

[William]

MJ vs. the Sponge? Are you not aware that these are two completely different shows with different audiences? They were both doing shows before for something like 5 years...no story here, move along....

[MM]

KM if you realized this why didn't you change the station????

[Alex]

MJ vs. THE SPONGE , Are YOU Ready for the REAL Super Bowl "XLII".

[KM]

I, personally, would prefer that Mr. Sponge stay wherever he has been. I found his former radio program to be offensive, tasteless, and totally without redeeming qualities. His program deserved to be canned.

[John the Super Mark]

Bubba is not an imitator nor a hack. His show is quality listening. Did MJ, O&A, or any other douche bag ever talk someone out of suicide. Dont knock the guy when he has done something like that.

I do,however, disagree with 2 shows. I feel the content level will be lackluster in both mediums.

[OL Expert]

I used to listen to Bubba back in the day, and I'll check it out every once in a while, but I have XM and I've been hooked on Opie and Anthony for alost 2 years now.

[amber]

Bubba is the biggest heartless piece of White Trash that ive ever heard of!!! To allow him back on the Air is a disgrace!! MJ Rocks!!!!!!

[amber]

Bubba is the biggest heartless piece of White Trash that ive ever heard of!!! To allow him back on the Air is a disgrace!! MJ Rocks!!!!!!

[John]

I just hope Cox remembers who put 102.5 on the map. Cowhead rules.

[Mike]

It was a fictitous pig slaughter, not castration that landed Clem in court on animal cruelty charges.

[BK]

WOOHOO Bubba is back!

Tampa radio will soon be good again!

The shrimp will finally have some real competition in this town. I bet he will cry himself to sleep tonight.

Congrats Bubba crew!

[Matthew]

wonderful.

Welcome Back

[Dave]

Listening to him back-to-back with Howard Stern the last few years, you realize just what a sad, pale imitation of the great Stern Bubba really is.

[mike]

his show always attracted a trailer trash type..with tasteless humour...

[JoJo]

if you dont like him, dont listen. The FCC already censors radio hosts too much anyway. I wont listen but I wont complain about it either.

[Scores Man]

GOT A TATOO!!!

[Robert A. Booey]

REVERSE THE HEAT!!!

BABABOOEY TO YOU ALL!!!

[Jenna FOX]

Never liked Bubba's content but I like his delivery.He knows how to make you listen to hate his trash. It will be intersting to hear the new redeemable Bubba at the very ANAL Cox Radio. hmmm.
Nowall this place needs to complete stimulating returns is Cleveland Wheeler doing mornings..theres class.

[jr]

i hope ned is still there!

[fishnride]

Great News! Bubba for the morning drive on 102.5 and Bubba for the afternoon drive on Sirius.

Only bummer is I gotta choose between Howard or Bubba in the am.

[betty]

This is great news. I will be streaming the feed from Boston and I am sure that he will be number one in both markets. i just hope he will not be to tired at 3pm to do the sirus show and what about his live show on the howard stations on friday morning.
betty

[a ned mark]

yeah...manson, brent, spice boy and ned are still with him...bubba rocks !!!!

[Tscnhitt]

Who cares about this has been. CDs in the morning, Cowhead in the afternoon.

[Greg]

I think its GREAT now i will have bubba all day awsome can't wait

[lb]

Oh how absolutely Wonderful!This is ALMOST as good as the return of Red Tide ,Citrus Blight, The Crabs, Athletes Foot, Jock Itch, Herpes, Etc...