From today's TRI Newsletter: One thing Sirius XM isn’t talking about is Howard Stern. One TRI reader says he’s had business with the satcaster recently and that “nobody’s talking about Howard. They all clam up.” Stern has been known to walk out the door at the end of terrestrial radio contracts – only to sign a renewal with Mel Karmazin during his customary year-end vacation. Now he’s facing his biggest renewal ever, again with Mel and this time at Sirius XM, and it’s an important moment for both sides. So here’s a Twitter rumor to ponder – “Howard Stern is on the verge of signing a $600 million 3yr deal with Apple to host Internet/TV/iTunes broadcast.” That’s from Paul Scheer and last night it was caroming around the Twittersphere like a UFO sighting in Beverly Hills. (It’s also on the Discussion Boards at Radio-Info.com, here.) We know Stern has been investigating new-media platforms. Apple has the cash to make a credible offer. But there are several problems with the scenario. #1, Apple's not currently in the content generation business. #2, Apple is notoriously G-rated when it comes to content. Is this another red herring, like the American Idol rumor back in the Spring? Sign up for the no-charge daily TRI Newsletter, and the other newsletters from Radio-Info.com, here.