My latest thoughts on the satellite radio AAR deal

[proud2BlibKansan]

Why are we complaining? 18 months ago we had how many liberal radio networks? Now we have two. As much as I am going to miss AAR, I am really enjoying Sirius Left. And I realized today that tens of thousands of XM listeners are enjoying AAR's debut this week. I can still remember the chills I had when I first heard Randi and Al and Mike Malloy this time last year when I got my satellite radio. Now I am loving Ed Shultz on my ride home.

So let's all quit our belly aching and stand up and cheer as proud liberals and progressives that the radio airwaves are no longer controlled by the right wing. This is a good thing people!!

[NYCGirl]

1. Good point, but just one correction — XM has been receiving AAR for

a long time now. So if someone is just discovering it, it isn't because it's just appeared on XM, but they're new subscribers.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Thanks I didn't realize that

Sorry for the error.

[autorank]

2. I'm still irritated but you're right. Watch SIRIUS get some new heavy ...

hitters to supplement their "Talk Left" line up. Big Eddie is calling for *'s impeachment on a regular basis (before Rove), Hartmann was great today, and Alex Bennett was all politics this morning (and he's damn good). So SIRIUS will be looking for someone to go in the 144 slot! This should be cool.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Sirius Left is a lot more radical than AAR, IMO

And I like radical. We need that to counter Rush and Hannity and Savage.

[autorank]

12. I agree! Plus SIRIUS has Blues. Garage, Faction, Trance, etc etc.

Their musit programming is outstanding. I have not turned on any local radio stations in the year since I installed SIRIUS (except 1 traffic report while in a traffic jam).

They are radical, that's for sure but they're good radio people. I love Randi but the rest of AAR is not to my taste (although neither is Lyn Samuels).

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. What channel is the blues?

I was looking the other day and couldn't find it. I like the Margaritaville station - 98.

[autorank]

15. Channel 29. I left it on once for two weeks straight. It rocks!

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Thanks

it's not on the index.

[cascadiance]

22. Hey CHECK THIS OUT! Sirius buying ABC radio unit?

This just went across the wires today! This story might make my suggestions of grabbing Bernie Ward and Ray Taliafierro to fill night time slots on the new channel a reality. My suggested lineups (which I sent to Sirius earlier) are:

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

This move might also let them "balance" out the ABC Talk Radio channel they have a bit too, to reduce the overabundance of right wingers on that channel too!

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

----------------------------------------

Sirius eyes Disney's ABC Radio unit -report

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Chief Executive Mel Karmazin is considering a bid for Walt Disney Co.'s ABC Radio unit, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.

Both Sirius and Disney declined comment.

However, Sanford Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett said that he had spoken with a Sirius representative who denied having any appetite for Disney's radio operation, stating that Sirius has no interest in buying terrestrial radio stations.

"Buying terrestrial radio stations makes no strategic sense for Sirius," Moffett said in a note to clients. "Terrestrial radio is a business that focuses on disparate local markets, while Sirius' business provides a national service. Buying ABC's radio networks equally makes no sense."

...

[cascadiance]

23. Also think of how this will make XM wingnuts PO'd!

If Sirius, after having bought ABC Radio property then decides to pull it from XM! Then all of the Wingnuts will bitch and moan about Hannity missing from their Red State Satellite service!

[TrueAmerican]

4. Would you switch if XM

carried AAR and what's on Sirius Left? I don't think Siruis has an exclusive contract for the Sirius Left programs.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I don't know

I would have to buy a new radio, pay to have it installed. And I do like the music and other stations on Sirius too. And my hubby and kids like the NFL station.

[globalvillage]

5. I paid for a year in advance

So I could listen to Morning Sedition on the way to work and Randi on the way home.
It's just not the same. I'm not enjoying my commute near as much as I did, and will have to pay for XM now after having paid for Sirius.
Nope, it's not good for me.
:grr:

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I am paying month by month

so I can switch if I get XM.

Give Sirius Left a chance. I really like it a lot.

[maryallen]

28. Ditto --- same situation ---

Listened on Sirius to AAR on the way to work and coming home. Can't stand "Big Eddie," but his callers are ok.

Lynn Samuels makes me gag. The other day she said Michael Savage was her favorite radio personality. Some "liberal" she is!

And my A#1 Question:
Why do liberals have to PAY for decent radio, but conservatives are over-run with FREE right-wing programming???

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. While I think the AAR product is uneven, it's still awesome. I'm

listening to people on AM talk radio talking about shrubco's crimes! In DALLAS TX!!!

Wife just rented a car with a Sirius and I listened to Talk Left while we drove around and it wasn't too shabby either.

These are definitely early but very positive developments.

Honestly I think that Talk Left and AAR can't help but be successful even if the product is so-so because all the pent up demand for their type of broadcast has had NO OUTLET prior to now. They have a huge potential listenership--like, at least half the country.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. I know what you mean

I live in Kansas, AKA red state hell. We have a jillion AM stations here and they are all either RW garbage or sports talk. It is so awesome to listen to left wing pundits; I can't even describe the feeling. It's kind of like when I found DU.

[napi21]

8. I listen to all my Left radio via the net. How many of the programs

that you get on Serius Left also broadcast via the net? Do you know? I can't drive anymore, and since I have dable internet service that already costs a fortune, I don't want to buy and may a monthly charge for Satellite radio.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. I don't know

but I will check. I am doing TV news and DU while at home and left wing radio in the car. Just can't get enough :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. If you go to this link

you can listen to Alex Bennett and Lynn Samuels.

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Channel&cid=1104779630493&flash=flash

[minerva50]

16. I enjoy Sirius

I got it for AAR, but I never could leave it on just one channel. Sirius has a lot more variety in talk shows, plus public radio channels that you don't find on XM.

[SnowBack]

19. Check out Michaelangelo Signorile on OutQ

One of the smartest hosts I've ever heard... Covers Gay issues, but hits Bush and his cronies HARD... I swear he's the only reason I kept Sirius after AAR disappeared...

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. What channel is that?

There is a gay channel I like to listen to but I can't remember the number.

[Maat]

24. 149 and I'm a fan of his also.

Because his political commentary is right on!

[IggleDoer]

20. What bugs me about Sirius ...

... Sirius has "Sirius Right", "Patriot (farther right)" and ABC with Insanity, Elder, etc, versus one lefty channel. I am offended that Sirius uses the term "Patriot" to call the RW.

[mvd]

26. Same here!

I complained in an e-mail about the Patriot Channel, but nothing ever changed.

[mvd]

25. I just switched to XM for Air America

So far, I like it more. The equipment doesn't get so hot, plus, there aren't as many signal problems. Sometimes when I was listening to Malloy on Sirius, "Acquiring Signal" would come on, and I had to adjust the receiver. I strongly hope that XM puts on Malloy live from 10 PM -1 AM. Alan Colmes needs to go. The other night, Colmes let a right winger ramble on about how he wasn't supporting the troops. Colmes said the right thing, but after that, just hang up!

[ailsagirl]

27. Jeanne (sp?) Garofalo discussing the Sirius thing

She said, "Sam and I certainly don't support this decision..."

[Gloria]

29. I heard Garofolo today comment on this...she said that

from what she understood, Air America needed the money. So they took what was a higher offer from XM. Said they need the money because they wanted to stay on the air....