Math Class: Three nights of “American Idol” beats one night of the Academy Awards according to AP.

Satellite Merger In Limbo: Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin is roasting in a dry desert dealing with a stalled merger with XM Satellite and wondering what it’s going to cost to keep shock jock, Howard Stern, on board.

“Stern costs Sirius $500 million for five years, and he’s in his third year already. Karmazin also said that confusion about the merger among consumers is having a negative impact on retail sales”.

Ticket Controversy: Attorney Peter Overs says, “You gotta take out a second mortgage on your house just to see a concert. That’s just not right.” RMG Technologies is being accused of allowing its customers, ticket brokers, to illegally enter Ticketmaster’s Website and look for tickets, scarf up hundreds even thousands of tickets withinseconds, violating ticket limits per customer designed to let only humans not machines buy tickets. Want the problem fixed? The solution is simple folks, stop going to concerts.

Keynote Interview with Sony/BMG, Thomas Hesse: “I have an upbeat view on physical. I don’t think the CD is dead at all. It’s a different shift, CD to digital than vinyl to CD, which was a clean break. In today’s world, not everyone is going online. 70 percent of US online. 75 percent in a few years. Online penetration growth is small. How is this 30 percent that is offline going to get music? We have some physical retailers who are excited about the contraction, and growing their business in a meaningful way. Read the full interview here.

Maxim Apologizes To The Black Crowes: Maxim magazine has issued a formal “apology” for publishing a negative review of the Black Crowes’ new album by a writer who hadn’t listened to the CD. Pete Angelus, manager of The Black Crowes, stated, “In my opinion, Maxim’s fabrication of an album review is highly unethical and indefensible. This issue potentially pertains to all artists and their craft, and a publication which apparently has no respect for either.”

Perez Recordz: Silicon Alley Insider says the deal potential deal between Perez Hilton and Warner Music Group seems like a classic “clumsy old media looks for youth appeal, goes about it in the wrong way” story. In reality, it costs Warner very little. WMG gives Perez $100,000 a year as an advance, and in exchange he signs artists for a WMG imprint, and keeps half of any profits. And if that $100k a year really is an advance, and not a salary, it’s a pittance by big label standards.

New Music: If you’re a fan of Green Day, Bad Religion and AFI then take a stab at Children 18:3 and listen to the track Homemade Valentine. Their debut album was released yesterday on Tooth & Nail Records.

Recommended Listening:

Wake Up Call by Colourslide