saw this on Sirius Backstage regarding what will replace AAR

[still_one]

I hope the thread is accurate:

"
Someone posted this email reply they recieved from Sirius on Randi's board: (cut and paste below)

Thank you for your reply. Let us address your concerns!

Although we are not ready to release our plans at this time for Channel
144, we can ensure you we are working on an even stronger liberal talk
programming lineup to fill this channel's vacancy. We will release
details as they become available through our website at sirius.com.

Additionally, we are not liberty to discuss the reasons that Air
America decided to leave SIRIUS. We can tell you that it was not our decision and that we did not cancel or drop their programming. We have forwarded your comments and concerns to our programming department for further consideration, however. We hope this information helps!
"

[Born Free]

1. Sirius is betting on people staying

Sirius believes that liberals are as Karl Rove describes, they will analyze, discuss and eventually do nothing when they are attacked. Sirius believes Randi Rhoades, Mike Malloy , Al and the rest of the gang at Air America are worthless, not worth paying to keep them. The gang at Air America can't say anything , just as Sirius can't say anything, both spinning,but it comes down to one thing. Sirius is challenging the resolve of Air America listeners, Sirius believes that Air America listeners are the type that will give up, accept anything, never take a stand . Whereas Air America believes the fans of Randi Rhoades, Mike Malloy, Al and the rest of the gang will stand up and fight. Many, many times people call in and every single time Randi or Mike or Al let them know they are doing all they can that it's up to the listeners to stand up and do something more than whine, complain and make suggestions - now Air America listeners on Sirius have a chance to meet the challenge, will they stand up and show Sirius and the rest of the world they have some intestinal fortitude or will they crawl under the desks, hiding behind whatever "spin" they can to make up an excuse to do nothing.

It's sad, the same liberals that are quick to complain about the weak and spineless democrats will do the same thing when challenged. It's so sad, there was a time when liberals stood up for America, there was a time when liberals were the leaders, they stood in the front lines for what they believed would make America better, and now all they want to do is drink their fancy drinks and whine about the conservatives that are willing to stand up, even when it looks futile. No wonder the American people trust conservatives more with National Security - liberals will whine, analyze and do nothing whereas the conservatives will fight back. Yeah, Sirius is betting the liberals will roll over and accept anything, they are betting the liberals don't think enough of Randi, Mike or any of the others enough to take a stand..and sure enough the liberals are already moving on, letting Mike and Randi and the others disappear from their memories.

As I posted before, I canceled our subscription with 3 tuners, if I can't have Randi, Mike and the others I don't want Sirius. I made it clear to Sirius that is why I subscribed to Sirius and when Mike, Randi and the others are gone, so am I. Others may be OK, this is not a challeg to see if others are OK - this is a challenge to see how much people lke Randi,Mike and the others. I am not going to abandon Randi, Mike and the others, I know this is a challange between two different forces, those that believe Air America is worthless and those of us that believe it has a lot to offer. I will stand with Randi, Mike and the others at Air America. I didn't pick this fight and I get angry that it happened but in the end I will stand with Randi,Mike, Al and the others at Air America.

[still_one]

3. frankly I am at a loss

I am a Sirius subscriber, understand why AAR went to XM, and understand why Sirius didn't want to pay. It was a business decision for all parties, XM, Sirius, and AAR.

More progressive radio is good for everyone

Yes, I don't get AAR on Sirius, but I can here some of it OTA, and live broadcasts through streaming

In the meantime I will wait and see what develops. For me it is not worth going to XM unless they have the full uninterrupted AAR schedule, with pre-emption with alan colmes or ed shultz

AAR has a larger subscription base that Sirius so that means that potentially AAR will get to more listeners, especially those that do NOT share our point of view

If Sirius does get another progressive talk channel on 144 that is also good for our cause

The more distribution we have of liberal talk the better for everyone

[LizW]

4. You cancelled Sirius because you want Randi and Mike?

Have you noticed that XM doesn't have all of Randi and you have to stay up all night to hear Mike?

[WLKjr]

15. Sirius doesn't carry them anymore

XM will start to move more towards AAR the more that people let them know why they are getting XM radios, I know I emailed them and told them last year when I bought one why I was buying one and that they should carry the entire AAR lineup if they want to get more and more listeners.

[LizW]

18. Well, once burned, twice shy

I bought Sirius because they carried AAR. I got burned. I'm certainly not going to buy XM on the hope that they may someday start carrying AAR's full lineup.

On the other hand, I have found other things on Sirius that I like a lot, so it's not a total loss. It's certainly better than any of the terrestrial radio around here.

[WLKjr]

32. Thing that made me choose XM last year when I got mine was

not only did they carry AAR shows, but they also were cheaper than sirius.

[Lex]

9. You said "liberals will whine . . . "

I don't why you felt the need to bash liberals in your post.

I decided to stay with Sirius for a number of reasons and it wasn't because I'm a "spineless democrat" who is "quick to complain" but "not willing to stand up."


One of the main reasons I'm NOT switching to XM is because of the nasty, bashing posts of Sirius subscribers on DU. It's disgusting.

[fasttense]

2. I am so glad I didn't get SIRIUS

I was all lined up to get two receivers, one for me and one for my son. But at the last minute I hesitated and just decided paying all that money just so I could get Air America was too much. So I'm checking out the competition. Air America is on 880 AM out of Asheville but I'm in TN and the signal is very weak here. I usually just stream the program.

[msongs]

8. aar is usually on very weak stations.....what does THAT mean?

here in riverside ca it is on a station that goes off the air at sunset and otherwise the signal only goes a few miles. in LA near us it is also on a very weak am station we cannot get (60 miles away). I dont listen to radio much especially am with all its baloney and commercials, but if
I was trying to start a radio network I would go for stations with a better signal.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[patrioticliberal]

5. Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz

Steph and Ed I believe are what they will have
I've heard that Nancy Skinner might be on there too, but I dont know.

[cascadiance]

6. Stay tuned...

It looks like Sirius might be bidding on ABC's radio unit. So far the public speculation is that this would help them get a "Disney" radio channel (which XM couldn't get).

http://www.rednova.com/news/entertainment/173616/sirius_eyes_disneys_abc_radio_unit_report/

But folks, what this could also mean is that:

1) Sirius could be looking to line up it's own exclusive left talk lineup as well, including Bernie Ward and Ray Taliafierro for overnight talk show hosts on it's newer channel from KGO (an ABC network affiliate), or Sam Donaldson (already on ABC talk)

2) Perhaps take OFF Sean Hannity and Larry Elders from XM's offerings by taking off ABC talk over there, forcing XM into the same bind with it's right wing listeners that XM forced Sirius in with its Air America listeners, or at least forcing XM back to the negotiating table to let go of their "exclusive" hold over Air America in exchange for the right to broadcast ABC radio on their streams.

Here's a lineup I was projecting before I saw this announcement that would nicely fit Bernie and Ray into their new channel

http://miken.best.vwh.net/talkradio/newlineups.html

It would behoove one who has Sirius to stick with them for now, especially if you have a terrestrial AAR station near you could still give you more progressive listening choices. We need to wait and see what Sirius will offer soon.

[Ivote]

7. Sirius vs XM

I had SIRIUS before they picked up AAR and I will continue to stay with Sirius. They always had a Liberal talk channel. "Talk Left"
As far as Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy are concerned I love their shows dearly and will continue to listen to them as I have done for years, streaming on the net. I think that they might have a contract with AAR so when AAR went to XM they had no choice but to go with them.
I remember signing petitions to have AAR pick them up. I guess now I will sign petitions to have them move to Sirius if they are able to get out of their current contract. I don't trust XM and I feel their ploy is to break AAR up. Wasn't Randi's show ahead in the ratings? Hence the chopping down of her time.
Well anyway I still have Sirius and thanks to
www.whiterosesociety.org
I can still get Randy,Mike,Guy James and others whenever I want.

[Lex]

11. A good reason not to switch to XM

at least as far as I'm concerned is contained in the liberal-bashing post in this thread (up above, post #1).

[still_one]

13. I started the thread, not to cause a squable between XM and Sirius

but to find out if anyone else had heard that Sirius was looking to fill 144 with liberal talk

[yurbud]

36. Does anybody else get the feeling that corporate management at AAR...

is trying to saboutage their own product, like that first asswipe they had running it?

They are killing in the ratings, and yet they make these stupid business decisions that make them more vulnerable to having the plug pulled if the right decides they are making too big an impact.

There's always the web and podcast, but fewer people will discover it than they would on the radio and satellite.

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[still_one]

12. It would be great, but I doubt that Bernie or Ray would leave KGO

[cascadiance]

16. I don't think they would be asked to leave KGO...

For a while Bernie was on ABC's satellite channel like Hannity is now... KGO is owned by ABC, and therefore Sirius, taking over ownership of ABC's radio properties, would potentially be getting more leverage to get Bernie's show aired nationally on Sirius, just like he was on ABC earlier for a while. Not sure if such a deal would also carry with it KGO as well as the national radio or not, which might make a difference what kind of deal they could cut for Bernie and Ray... It wouldn't be a matter of either of them "leaving" KGO. I'm assuming that instead of giving just the phone number to KGO, he'd also give an 800 number for Sirius listeners too, if it would be different than KGO's number.

KGO's Ronn Owens also earlier had worked out a not-so-successful deal with another station in L.A. to air his show as well as KGO airing it, in exchange for him working out of their office part of the time. Didn't care for the commute or the attitude of the other stations' employees though.

[Zinfandel]

26. It would change my mind if Sirius got Bernie, Ray and a full Thom Hartmann

show, as well as Mike Webb...But then Sirius would have to change time slots because they come on so late (or early) all except Thom Hartmann, who comes on at nine in the morning.

[cascadiance]

27. The schedule I put up in my link as a "wish list"...

I'm guessing that there would be some repeats here and there of the more popular shows, either weekly for those that are hard to get for some folks during their regular time or on weekends. I'm guessing that Sirius won't be able to fill "all" of those slots like my wishlist indicated, and that some of those would have repeats in them. I put repeats for Democracy Now at times of day that I thought strategic for different parts of the country, which was about the only repeats I conjectured on.

I do think that having a 24x7 Live channel for Sirius would be better to get more audience participation and therefore more interest. I wonder who's going to be calling in to Randi's first two hours and Malloy's show now that the switch has been made. I'm guessing there isn't too many folks on over the air stations or through the internet that will keep the "load" of callers at the same levels they were before.

I look at the 14 hour block starting at 3:00 PM after Ed Schultz for the local KLSD station here in San Diego where there is non-stop repeat radio except for 1 hour of Mike Malloy in the middle. That seems not to be "talk radio" but "listen radio" instead.

[Zinfandel]

30. Interesting point, "Listen Radio" which is exactly what XM is doing

with the great Mike Malloy show in favor of (as someone wrote, "Hannity's bitch"), Alan Colmes.

[judy from nj]

10. I will have to stick to Sirius

I spent a not insignificant amount of money to get Sirius mainly to get AAR. However, since the main shows I listened to were Morning Sedition going to work, and Randi Rhodes coming home from work, I see no reason to spend even more money and get XM. I can listen to Bill Press in the morning and Ed Schultz coming home. I'm not happy, but I'll survive. Eventually AAR will get a stronger signal on their NY station, and I'll get them on free radio.

[marlakay]

14. I emailed them too but haven't heard back

I was upset at first but noticed lately I have been listening to Sirius left more than them anyway. Was mostly upset we only had one channel, so if they are doing another one, great!!!

The young turks show is my favorite.

[cascadiance]

17. I just called into Sirius to change me from yearly to monthly...

It was supposed to rebill at the end of the month. Thankfully I called them soon enough. I told them essentially that I'd be staying on monthly and not commit to a yearly plan until I saw what they did to replace 144, or if "something else" better came along. Think I'm going to invest my money into an MP3 player like an Ipod or a Dell DJ to do some podcasting instead.

[Born Free]

19. actions speak louder than words

some will talk, talk, reason forever but do nothing - others will act


on edit:

Call me a "liberal basher" if you want, but it doesn't change the fact that Sirius is betting YOU will NOT cancel your subscription because they dropped Air America. Sirius is showing the business world just how important Air America is to it's listeners, YOU will help make history by your choice to stay or leave. Boycotts; strikes, etc. - they all are part of the liberal history of standing up for what liberals believed would make a better America for all Americans. However, today they ( business advisors for Sirius) are betting the liberals won't even cancel their subscriptions for losing the only liberal network. Years ago they bet workers would not give up their pay checks, but thank God the liberals of yesteryear were strong enough to win our 40 hour work week etc.

[Lex]

20. Stop trying to make people line up like sheep behind XM.

People here at DU can think for themselves and make their own decisions based on their own circumstances.



Your bullying and name-calling reflects poorly on XM itself.

[Born Free]

21. We left XM for Sirius

We took a financial loss to leave XM and go to Sirius and when we did we let Sirius know why we went to Sirius. Not once did I suggest anyone switch to XM.

[Lex]

23. Then I missed the point of your diatribe

here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4108307&mesg_id=4108331

[NYCGirl]

24. I thought he was saying it was important to line up behind AAR. NT

[Sorwen]

31. I really think you're overreacting

First of all, it's not the only liberal channel on Sirius. Sirius was carrying its other liberal channel, Sirius Left, long before AAR even existed and before XM ever carried any liberal programming. I don't want to cancel Sirius because I like a lot of the other programming. My favorite liberal talk show is the Young Turks on Sirius Left, and I would not be able to listen to them if I cancelled. Sirius also has some good liberal progamming on OutQ. Like most people, I did not subscribe just for one channel. I really like some of the music channels and some of the other channels not available on XM. To suggest that a strong liberal must drop Sirius is just ridiculous. Finally, why don't we wait a bit and see if Sirius replaces AAR with some new liberal programming? There are other good liberal talk shows out there that could easily fill a second channel for Sirius. This could actually be good if it results in more liberals getting national exposure.

[Cooley Hurd]

22. Waiting for the resident DU XM salesman to weigh in...

:popcorn: (Everyone who has been following the XM/Sirius/AAR drama knows who I mean...);)

Siriusly, :rofl: I activated my first sat radio receiver (Sirius, because they carried the full AAR lineup as of 4/2005) only 2 HOURS before AAR and XM announced their exclusivity agreement. I sold my Sirius receiver to a friend and now have an XM receiver, all because of AAR. I'm NOT happy that XM dilutes the Randi Rhodes Show with two hrs of Ed "fond-of-repeating-RW-talking-points" Schultz, nor am I happy with hearing "Faux-resident-liberal" Colmes when I was used to hearing Mike Malloy. But the strength of the other AAR shows made me switch. Not happy...x(

[Zinfandel]

35. Just out of curiosity, does the Sirius antenna and AC adapter plug into

the XM equipment? (I'm asking only about the antenna & AC jacks, not the hardware of course).

[Cooley Hurd]

38. Not with the devices I've had...

I've had the Sirius Audiovox receiver and the XM skyfi2, and there's no compatibility between the two...

[LaPera]

25. I won't go to XM because of their diluting of the AAR schedule-AND I won't

stay with Sirius because they don't have AAR.

Just spoke to a Sirius rep. and he says they are trying to get AAR back, which sounds like complete bullshit, if AAR signed an "exclusive" contract with XM.

The Sirius rep also mention how they are trying to get another liberal network...more bullshit, what other liberal network?

More moderates like Shultz & Colmes, just more bullshit, to hold on to Sirius subscribers and hope they flake out and forget. They are just waiting to see how many people actualy cancel their subscriptions, well, I'm one of them.

I spent a lot of bucks on Sirius equipment & subscriptions and I did so exclusively for AAR.

The main reason I won't go to XM is the two true liberals, Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy shows on AAR are being fucked with on XM. (There are also some fine liberals on the week ends on AAR, I don't know what XM's schedule for the week ends are though). I must also mention Janeane is also a fine liberal on AAR week days.

So my answer is, fuck them both. I'm going to cancel my Sirius subscription and I won't go to XM (unless of course XM charges and offers the complete AAR line up, untouched, as Sirius had).

I'd rather make a statement and sell my Sirius shit (or donate it) then to be sucked in to either of them and that garbage moderate radio they are now both offering.

I'll listen to AAR on the Internet (I did it before Sirius and I'm doing it again).

And I'm going to try and petition a station locally to carry AAR in my area.

I'm NOT going to play this silly bullshit Sirius, XM game until it meets my absolute approval.

Neither will get my money!

[cascadiance]

28. Perhaps this "liberal network" he's talking of is ABC Radio...

Not exactly a liberal network itself, but owning that property might give them options to put on a lot of liberal hosts that are under contract with it (like Bernie Ward, Ray Taliafierro, Sam Donaldson, etc.). See my post #6 at what Sirius looks to be doing now.

And I would love to see XM sweat not having access to Hannity for it's wingnut listeners! :)

[LaPera]

29. Sweet thought, (on Hannity) but very doubtful...

You think Sirius, is in the same ballpark as ABC as far as financial power?

It would take away a lot of power & prestige from ABC.

I think it's just Sirius (or serious) bullshit!

By the way...Sam Donaldson, "liberal"? Even in the same sentence made me run and scream.

[yurbud]

37. Sam Donaldson is VERY LIBERAL...

with his use of toupee hairspray.

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[cascadiance]

39. Acck... Looking at the list of ABC stations here...

http://www.abcradio.com/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=116

... and what's on them, my head is spinning. Maybe these reporters just misunderstood that Sirius was buying KGO from ABC, and not the whole network. The rest of these stations besides KGO suck! About the only thing they could be useful for would be to hold Hannity "hostage" from XM to see if they could force a deal on swapping Air America for the Hannity and other wingnut personalities on other ABC affiliates stations.

[yurbud]

34. when they started on XM & Sirius after being yanked in LA, I got XM, but..

hearing Shultz in place of Randi and the extremely odd and at best obtuse Colmes in place of Malloy pissed the shit out of me. I cancelled after one day and got Sirius, which I listened to even after AAR came back on here on 1150 AM.

Now, I'm stuck listening to 1150--and getting Ed in the afternoon (though they do have Randi and Malloy).

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[yurbud]

33. Ask them to run PACIFICA

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog: