Is Air America leaving Sirius?

[liberalnurse]

I hope it is a nasty rumor. I spend a small fortune purchasing Sirius equiptment just for Air America. Am I up shit-crick without a paddle???????

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. there is an announcement on the XM website...

saying that is will become the "official" satellite provider of Air America Radio...weither that means it is an exclusive contract or not, I don't know but I would e-mail AAR and Sirius to let them know how you feel

[Cooley Hurd]

2. It's not quite clear yet...

No direct word from AAR or Sirius on the future of channel 144...:shrug:

[ccarter84]

3. I heard it'll be on for another 90 days..n/t

[agates]

4. I called Sirius this afternoon

The customer service rep said she hadn't heard they were dropping AAR and neither had anyone else in her area. She called someone to ask and whoever that was didn't know or wasn't saying. She suggested I call back tomorrow.

[tridim]

5. I'm in the same position as you

I have a feeling that XM is pulling a fast one on us AAR/Sirius subscribers, trying to get us to switch. I'm guessing AAR will remain on Sirius. If not, I'm out about $250. My equipment is old enough that I probably wouldn't be able to sell it for more than a few bucks on Ebay.

[liberalnurse]

19. I already know my equipment is

obsolete...... Oh, I will be so pisst.:grr:

[XOKCowboy]

6. Found this link on Randi's website...

Doesn't sound good for Sirius users. Who knows. Magazines have been wrong before...

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_di...t_id=1000875402

[onehandle]

7. According to this link they are.

"When the deal begins in May, Air America Radio will no longer air on Sirius Satellite Radio, which has 1.2 million subscribers to XM's nearly 3.8 million."

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000875402

[KoKo]

8. I don't understand why they can't be on both. It's up to the provider

to give programming the public wants not for the programmers to have to buy their way in, isn't it?. But in Bush America it may be the opposite of what I think.

Nothing in Bush America is what the Public wants but what they want to give us...sigh.

[ConsAreLiars]

9. There is no statement anywhere (other than anonymous DUers

who claim some sort of omniscience for themselves and/or delight in causing a stink) that Sirius will lose AAR. The XM press release used the phrase "official," not "exclusive." The salient paragraphs, from http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2005_04_11_a.html are:
-------------------
Beginning in May, XM's liberal talk channel, America Left (XM Channel 167) will be renamed Air America Radio. The channel will include an expanded line-up of Air America Radio programming, including the recently debuted "Springer on the Radio" hosted by Jerry Springer and upcoming "Rachel Maddow Show," among others. XM's Air America Radio channel also will feature popular shows currently carried on America Left, including "The Ed Shultz Show" and "The Alan Colmes Show."

"XM was a natural fit to be the official satellite radio network of Air America Radio, given its large subscriber base, numerous distribution channels and demonstrated growth," said Danny Goldberg, CEO of Air America Radio. "The quality of XM's other partnerships, their Washington, D.C. location and proximity to the center of our nation's political workings, along with millions of subscribers, made our decision easy."

XM's Washington, D.C. headquarters will offer dedicated studio space for special live broadcasts throughout the year for Air America Radio programs featuring Rachel Maddow, Marc Marron, Mark Riley, Al Franken, Katherine Lanpher, Jerry Springer, Randi Rhodes, Sam Seder, Janeane Garofalo, Chuck D, Mike Malloy, Laura Flanders, Steve Earle, Robert Kennedy Jr., Mike Papantonio, Kyle Jason, Marty Kaplan, and Betsy Rosenberg.
-------------------

There is no mention of Sirius anywhere other than unfounded speculation. The only thing that seems clear is that for now Sirius carries all of AAR, including Malloy, while XM gives you the pathetic Colmes instead and runs Randi on a delayed feed. If, and until, things change, you've got the best deal.

[HomerRamone]

10. There IS a statement

The link above didn't work, so let me try, too, to quote that article, not "claim omniscience":

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000875402

"When the deal begins in May, Air America Radio will no longer air on Sirius Satellite Radio, which has 1.2 million subscribers to XM's nearly 3.8 million."

Whether or not this is true, I will be keeping SIRIUS for Little Steven's Underground Garage channel. I will listen to AM when I have to and net streaming when I can (for Malloy). If they stop the free streaming then they can go screw themselves. Hiring Springer pisses me off enough already...

[Cooley Hurd]

12. That's a story, not a statement...

I'll wait for the official word from either Air America or Sirius...

[ConsAreLiars]

15. Thanks for the fixed link

I hadn't seen that article. Whether that writer's assertion is founded or not is unclear, since no source is claimed. It certainly is NOT a statement by XM, AAR, or Sirius. As for Springer, give him a listen. You might be surprised.

[liberaltrucker]

16. You got that right about Springer

His radio show sucks almost as much as his TV. UF was much more insightful and entertaining. Mr Goldberg has his head up his ass.

[Firenze777]

11. Then there's Thomm Hartman

Last I checked, Sirius carried him, snd XM does not. He should be required listening for every citizen in the republic! And btw...is anyone else having trouble warming up to Springer? I personally liked Rachel, Liz and Chuck D.

[madfloridian]

14. He was on one hour a day, Sirius Left. Some on week-ends.

Now I can't find him on that hour.

[madfloridian]

13. Here is the media release.

This damn set cost us about 300. I am livid.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000875402

[Doctor_J]

17. there could be an upside...

sounds like they're not going to carry Malloy ( Colmes ) or Randi (Ed), which is bad. BUT, if Sirius keeps two lefty stations, the former AAR will likely be used to air Stephanie and Hartmann, and maybe Bernie. Good stuff all.

[XOKCowboy]

18. In XM's press release..

they mention Randi. I doubt they'll dump her. They've never carried Mike Malloy but with enough emails and public support that could change. Email them NOW

[e-mail]

[Rosco T.]

20. XM press release DOES mention Malloy... and Rachel's new show...

http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2005_04_11_a.html

"The channel will include an expanded line-up of Air America Radio programming, including the recently debuted "Springer on the Radio" hosted by Jerry Springer and upcoming "Rachel Maddow Show," among others."

"XM's Washington, D.C. headquarters will offer dedicated studio space for special live broadcasts throughout the year for Air America Radio programs featuring Rachel Maddow, Marc Marron, Mark Riley, Al Franken, Katherine Lanpher, Jerry Springer, Randi Rhodes, Sam Seder, Janeane Garofalo, Chuck D, Mike Malloy, Laura Flanders, Steve Earle, Robert Kennedy Jr., Mike Papantonio, Kyle Jason, Marty Kaplan, and Betsy Rosenberg."

right now, the only thing XM doesn't carry of AAR is 2 hours of Randi and Mike..

XM's Schedule http://www.xmradio.com/pdf/america_left_grid.pdf

[Rosco T.]

21. Actually they Carry the "Best of" Mike Malloy on the weekends n/m

[Zinfandel]

22. Not a chance!

AAR is far too profitable.

[Cooley Hurd]

23. Well, Sirius doesn't think it's been dropped by AAR (letter from Sirius)

I received this email from Sirius:

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for contacting SIRIUS regarding Air America // 144. At this time, we have not been informed of any pending cancelation of Air America // 144. Any changes to our channel lineup will be made available on our website. You can find out more about Air America // 144, including the programs and hosts that you will hear by checking us out online at:

http://www.sirius.com/whatsonsirius
</snip>

I'll wait until I hear for sure before cancelling Sirius...