If the rumors about Opie and Anthony’s return to commercial radio are true, then the bad boys of radio have come full circle. From outcasts — CBS banned them a little over a year ago — to conquering heroes, I read this as another sign of weakness in the subscriber based radio markets. If XM and Sirius are doing well, why license out sanitized versions of O&A to a willing bidder, unless the need for cash is so great that where it comes from is less important than what it says to the market place. Because when you’re drowning, no point worrying about sharks tearing off your swim trunks.

I’m a big O&A fan, loved their show when it was on commercial radio, and did not follow them to XM. But if they air again on FCC regulated radio, I’ll surely listen without signing up for the pay service. In fact, a “clean” version of O&A is a major disincentive to subscribing, as what was once free and available, is so once again.

Good for O&A. Hopefully they get two paydays from this — so far — rumored arrangment.