Infinity chief says Stern 'irreplaceable'

NEW YORK, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Infinity Broadcasting has confirmed five or six regional radio hosts will replace syndicated star Howard Stern when he leaves for Sirius Satellite Radio.

Infinity Chief Joel Hollander Monday said he was turned down by Comedy Central's Jon Stewart, Fox News' Geraldo Rivera and actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg -- then realized Stern was "not replaceable," Daily Variety reported.

"We thought that would be a big mistake," Hollander told advertising executives at New York's Museum of Television and Radio. "Howard was great for a number of years; he's not replaceable."

Hollander said Infinity will try multiple hosts spread over the 27 markets where Stern's morning show was heard. He said several people have already been tapped for tryouts that will last 18 months to a year. He refused to name any of the "talent," however.

"We have all the talent we are talking to under contract," Hollander said. "To my knowledge, there has never been in the history of the medium anyone who has had to replace 27 radio shows at once."

Stern starts his five-year, $500 million deal with Sirius in January.