Love AirAmerica? Need your help with XM

[joe1991]

Just spoke with XM Talk Director, they have no plans on changing their content at the present moment.

He defended their programming and said that they did not mean to mislead anyone into thinking that they would be offering the full Air America lineup - he will review the press release and chastise the advertising department if necessary. He said that many of their channels (including America Right) use multiple content providers and they want to offer a full range of liberal programming - not just one station's view of progressive. Whether one likes Alan Colmes or not, he said he has been a radio personality for 30 years and is seen as a 'liberal' icon. He brought up how Ed Schultz had John Kerry on and said that he didn't think anyone on Air America has had Kerry on. (Wrong, Al Franken did.)

My defense was that Air America is new and hip and very progressive and that XM's alternate programming completely clashed with the format. It was confusing for the listeners to hear contrary commercials advertising programming times that were not consistent. I also told him how I was very embedded in liberal circles on the web and have seen many people who were willing to switch to Sirius or were fence-sitting on buying a Satellite radio and would not go with XM without the full lineup. My other defense was that it was just wrong to cut off programs mid-stream and this would not be acceptable in any other entertainment medium. I was fairly certain that no matter what his opinion of what good or 'varied' content was, he was not providing the XM's listeners what they wanted. Lastly, I was forced to pull out the 'Alan Colmes is a joke' card, but not in those exact words.

I asked if a petition would sway him and he said that it would not. He said that conversations like the one I had with him would do more to change his mind. They are researching all the time, he claims.

I am still trying to get the streaming statistics from Air America, but have had little success. (Anyone who can help me get in touch with the AA web team - please help!)

I think he is basically a good guy and I do not think he is being partisan at all, but I also think he is wrong and I think if they aren't careful SIRIUS is going to grab the ball and run with it - I'm already regretting my decision to get XM. I don't want to wage war against him, but I do want to show him how many people are angry and dissatisfied.

Could anyone who was thinking about XM, but went with SIRIUS because the programs were cut off, or anyone who is hesitant to buy because the programs are cut off, or anyone who bought XM and is pissed about it, please reply here or send an email to [email protected].

I am going to collect as many sane testimonials as I can and fax them to him in one lump. I think this might have a greater impact than a faceless petition.

Thanks in advance,
Brooke

[LTR]

1. I've heard Shultz's show on XM is a contract issue

And that eventually Rhodes' show will be carried in its entirety.

Just something I read somewhere.

Meanwhile, I recommend Sirius. They carry AAR on its own channel (when not preempted by sports in the next month) and have a newly revamped Sirius Left.

[Postman]

2. I wouldn't buy XM because they are part owned by Clear Channel

I'm very close to buying satellite radio and it is definitely going to be Sirius because they carry ALL of Air America Radio's lineup.

[krkaufman]

15. Suspicions

> ... XM ... part owned by Clear Channel"

This was my suspicion. NO ONE can honestly claim that Alan Colmes is anything but a patsy for the right-wing message. I began to wonder if XM's ownership wasn't trying to slip in a couple of their own syndicated talk show hosts, in order to boost their popularity by piggybacking on AAR's popularity.

I was looking into getting XM, but seeing the bastardized "America Left" lineup (expecting Air America Radio) turned me off. I'm thrilled to see Sirius offering the real thing. (Right? I can't find the actual Sirius programming lineup for AAR/Channel 125.) To be fair, Portland's KPOJ is also running a modified lineup, from that of the "flagship station", WLIB/New York. This may be what happens across the board, as new stations come online. Do the affiliates get to pick-and-choose what programming they'll include?

Back to XM... Someone needs to talk to Air America Radio and let them know that they're hurting themselves by saying that XM carries AAR. People will hear Ed Schultz or Alan Colmes once, and turn away from AAR. 'nuff said about Colmes... but I listened to Schultz, once, through Portland and thought I was listening to Rush (voice sounded like Rush). P'raps I didn't get him enough of a chance, but my brain couldn't take his voice/style.

[Touchdown]

20. Go to the sports menu

AAR-chan 125 used to be a scoreboard channel, and still says so. They haven't moved it over to the entertainment menu yet. The full lineup of AAR is on. The Sirius guy on the phone said that political talk should be considered a sport. :P

[NMDemDist2]

3. I am torn on this

I bought XM strictly because of AAR. We had discussed getting me satellite Radio at Xmas for C-Span and such and then decided not to as it would look crappy retrofitted into my new car.

When AAR came out I bought XM within 2 days not realizing that AAR was not being broadcast in it's entirety. I probably would have waited if I had realized that and gone with Sirius.

On the other hand, I really enjoy Ed Schultz. He is a real radio pro and is very entertaining. I would hate to lose him now. It does bug me that I don't get all of Randi's show.

So I am no help here hehehehe.

[Pab Sungenis]

6. Ed Schultz is on SIRIUS as well.

He's on SIRIUS LEFT, channel #143.

[NMDemDist2]

10. hmmmm think i can pawn off the XM to hubby and get

sirius? how smart is hubby?? hmmm nah too smart for that

WAIT!! It's my Birthday!! so I can do anything and get away with it today hehehehehehhe

[IronLionZion]

11. sell it on ebay and get Sirius

You can probably buy a Sirius antenna on ebay real cheap as well.

http://www.siriusradio.com/

[joe1991]

14. $100 Discount on Sirius

http://www.sirius.com/fandfemployee

I called and signed up, the offer is good, here is what you to do:
Call 1.888.601.6292 anytime and let the SIRIUS representative know
that you are calling as part of the Friends and Family program.
* provide promotion code 101 and the referring SIRIUS
employee's work email address for verification.
(I used [email protected])
* Supplies are limited and orders must be placed by May 31, 2004.

[NMDemDist2]

17. great thanks and hubby says

it's my birthday go for it!! Sirius here i come hehehehe

[Not Me]

4. Check your mailbox

I am about ready to unplug XM

[Pab Sungenis]

5. Forget XM.

They're a lost cause. Cheap Channel makes sure of that. Sirius has a much better talk lineup (TWO liberal channels including AAR, BBC, TWO NPR, PRI) and all the music is commercial free. XM may have a very slight edge in sound quality for the music, but SIRIUS has the better programming hands down.

[Maat]

7. Perhaps what you want is replies from XMers...

but I got Sirius in November 2003 (so I've listened to Sirius for about 5 months including some time in November). Never had a problem. I really love having the choice of Sirius Left and a complete Air America (they repeat Al's show when I'm coming home from class at night, as well as Ed Schultz's show a bit afterwards, so it is nice), as well as BBC, 2 NPRs and PRI. Crystal clear signal in a valley in Cal that gets nothing. Really recommend it.

[cjbuchanan]

8. Amazing timing

I was looking at getting XM, but I have now decided to get Sirius. It's a couple bucks more a month, but since I will be listening at night, it is my only real option.

[GOPFighter]

9. Hmmm

I'm planning to install a satellite radio receiver in my car soon (I spend hours each week driving in rural areas). I was planning to go with XM based on recommendations of friends. I was under the impression that XM carried Air America, but are you saying they only carry part of the network? If so, I'll probably go with Sirius. Thanks for pointing this out!

[DemNoir]

12. AA only has two listenable shows and XM cuts them both short

Randi Rhodes is by far the best AA has and we only get an hour of her show. Seder and Garofolo have a lot of potential and their show is cut short also.

Lets face it, the rest of the AA lineup is a near disaster. Can Anyone be worse on the radio than Al Franken? The other shows feature groups of hosts all trying to talk over each other.

On the weekend Laura Flanders is very good and probably should be on week days.

AA needs professional broadcasters desperately. Where the hell is Mike Malloy?

[krkaufman]

16. To each their own

I'm not a "radio listener", so don't have any expectations for how a program should sound, but, personally, prefer Franken's show to Randi's. Randi hits more issues and is far more militant in pushing her views, but I find she often goes overboard. And I don't think it's AAR's goal to become a round-the-clock political machine; they appear to be trying to balance politics with entertainment.

Love 'em all, and feel there's a place for the whole crew around the clock. I'd hate to see AAR become 24-hours straight of the same programming, only with different hosts.

Some days I need Randi, some days Al, and some days the bickering between Janeane and Sam.

[BlueEyedSon]

13. Bag XM and get Sirius.

Frankly, I was one month from dumping Sirius to get XM (a little AAR is better than nothing) when Sirius announced that they would carry AAR.

I wrote a LOT of emails to Sirius before (begging) and after (thank-yous).

[Maat]

18. BlueEyedSon:

I just wrote a thank-you to Sirius too! Thanks for any hand you had in getting us two liberal channels.

I agree -- I'm in the mood for different hosts at different times. So, I told Sirius that I basically find time to listen to everybody, and want to support everyone -- especially since Sirius re-broadcasts -- so I can listen to just about everybody in a day. And I mean all of the liberal talk show hosts on #125 & #143.

And give Ed Schultz a chance -- heck, give all the hosts a chance.

[Touchdown]

19. I was one.

...Bought my Sirius plug-n-Play on Thursday. There seemed to be very little difference between price, or programming. The Monthly fees are the only difference (sirius is $2 more, big DEAL! :eyes:) ...so the only thing it came down to was that Randi Rhodes' full 4 hours is on Sirius. She's become my favorite, so there!

Alan Colmes is on Talk Left, with Thom Hartmann..who's pretty decent. And Michaelangelo Signoreli is decent too....he's on the gay channel.