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April 11, 2005
XM / Air America sign long-term agreement
XM Satellite Radio has just signed a long-term agreement with Air America Radio, the lefty talk radio network. Starting in May, XM's liberal talk channel, America Left (XM Channel 167) will cease to exist, and will instead be aptly named Air America Radio.
As part of the long-term agreement, XM will be the only satellite radio provider to offer Air America content. (Yes, that means it's exclusive... sorry Sirius)
The channel will include an expanded line-up of Air America Radio programming, including the recently debuted "Springer on the Radio" hosted by none-other-than Jerry Springer himself (Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!). But America Left fans don't need to fear, XM's new Air America Radio channel still will feature shows currently carried on America Left, including "The Ed Shultz Show" and "The Alan Colmes Show."
XM's Washington, D.C. headquarters will offer dedicated studio space for special live broadcasts throughout the year for Air America Radio programs featuring (begin name-throwing) 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.
As a result of this announcement, America Right is now really offended, has begun filibustering, and wants a deal of their own. (anyone want to make a bet for when Rush Limbaugh will announce his move to satellite?)
April 11, 2005 03:01 PM
Comments
How is this now different from America Left?
Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2005 04:11 PM
exclusive to XM, thats the difference
Posted by: Josh at April 11, 2005 04:34 PM
Yep. Exclusive. Just got the official word from XM.
Posted by: Ryan at April 11, 2005 05:20 PM
Im an Ed Shultz/Young Turks Sirius Left fan anyway.
Whats gonna be on that channel for Sirius now though?
Posted by: Charlie at April 11, 2005 06:22 PM
OK Sirius, what's the deal? First Stern, then baseball, now Air America. Why do you keep either signing acts I can't stand, missing out on deals I'd love to have or losing channels I listen to? Keep this up and I'll have to bail to XM just to listen to something other than 8, 31 and 32.
Posted by: Wes at April 11, 2005 08:02 PM
I dont see were it says that Air America will not be on SIRIUS anymore. All it says is that XM will be the official satellite radio network for Air America Radio.
Posted by: SatMan at April 12, 2005 07:48 AM
Try reading the second paragraph. Exclusive means Only.
Posted by: Mike at April 12, 2005 09:04 AM
there is nothing in XM's press release that says "exclusive!"
Posted by: Anonymous at April 12, 2005 09:36 AM
I called Air America. There is nothing about this agreement that makes it exclusve. The "official" title is just a moniker.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 12, 2005 09:42 AM
According to XM, the terms of the long-term deal defined that XM will be the *only* satellite radio
provider to offer Air America content. I've contacted both Air America and SIRIUS for their official statements. When I get a response, I'll let everyone else know - but from what I can gather, this is an exclusive deal. Just like NASCAR was snagged from XM, it seems that Air America has been snagged from Sirius.
Posted by: Ryan at April 12, 2005 10:56 AM
to end all speculation:
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_04_12/xmsteals.asp
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
XM Steals Air America From Sirius
As previously reported, XM has become the "official" satellite radio network for Air America Radio, and representatives for the progressive talk network tell R&R that its programming deal with Sirius, which currently has a dedicated Air America channel, will end on June 11.
Air America's deal with XM calls for the satcaster to rechristen its "XM Left" liberal talk channel as "Air America Radio" — a move that's set to occur in May. The deal also includes provisions for special live broadcasts of Air America shows from XM's Washington, DC headquarters.
Sirius spokesman Jim Collins tells R&R that it's "too soon to say" what the satcaster's programming department will do with the Air America channel but notes that Sirius already carries separate, dedicated conservative and progressive talk channels in addition to the AAR channel.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2005 07:04 AM
This sucks! What sense does it make to cut off almost 2 million listeners when you are trying to grow your network. Not to mention that XM slices & dices your programming.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 13, 2005 08:45 AM
I don't think it is going anywhere, and I certainly don't believe that the article posted above will end all speculation. XM would have clearly stated in the PR that it is indeed exclusive, because that is something you brag about. XM is saying it is leaving Sirius, Sirius says nothing is set in stone yet, it really depends on who you talk to, and as an earlier post stated AAR even says it is not exclusive. I'll believe it when I see it. We shall see in less than a month perhaps.
Posted by: SISO at April 13, 2005 07:55 PM
