Karmazin to Exit Sirius XM

MEL OUT: Sirius XM Radio CEO Mel Karmazin has informed the Board of Directors he will leave the company and Board on Feb. 1 of next year, following the expiration of his current contract, with Liberty Media taking control. "Sirius XM is an extraordinary company with an incredible team,” he said. “It is an honor to come to work here every day where we truly deliver the best radio on radio. Given where we started, it is amazing that Sirius XM has grown to become the largest radio company in the world. I am confident that its best years are ahead.” Added Liberty Media Corp. Chairman John Malone: "We appreciate the tremendous job Mel has done for the company in overseeing the merger and delivering outstanding operating performance. While we understand, we regret Mel's decision to pursue other interests and are grateful for his willingness to oversee a smooth and orderly transition." Karmazin’s exit could mean the end for his longtime air personality cohort Howard Stern, who has recently hinted, again, of his desire to leave the business before his contract is up in 2016. The shock jock is still in court, having filed a lawsuit against Sirius XM for not paying him on certain agreed-upon subscriber levels. (10/23p)