Email from XM about Randi Rhodes

[pstokely]

"Dear *******

Thank you for contacting XM Satellite Radio.

XM received word of Randi Rhodes' departure from Air America on April
10th. Both Randi Rhodes and Air America have been on our platform
since
Air America launched their 24/7 progressive talk stations on March
31st,
2004. We were sorry to see these two partners end their relationship
and realize it has had an impact on XM subscribers who made it a daily
habit to listen to Randi on XM (Monday-Friday 3-6PM ET). We are
currently having discussions with both Randi Rhodes and Air America.
It
is XM's goal to bring you the best options in progressive talk 24/7 to
the XM Nation.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we will be providing more details
on the future of this time slot on XM 167. Please don't hesitate to
contact us directly in the future if you have questions or need
additional information on XM's talk programming.


Don Wicklin
Senior Director / Talk Operations
XM Satellite Radio
office - 202.380.4809"

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. kick so that Randi fans can keep calling & writing....

:kick:

Off to bed. :hi:

[gateley]

2. Today a caller

mentioned he'd like her on Sirius -- she said "we're working on it."

Aren't Sirius and XM becoming one? Did I hear that somewhere?

[Berry Cool]

4. The final approval has not gone through for their merger

but they're one step closer.

Don't know what will happen to their political programming if they merge. XM has always had Air America and Sirius has always had a conglomeration of progressives they call Sirius Left, who are not necessarily Air America personalities.

[pstokely]

11. They have Ed Schulz and Mike Mallory

They are not currently employed by Air America

[samsingh]

3. xm may force air america to come to their senses

[Sweet Pea]

5. One can only hope.

The sort of unhinged crap that is Rhodes is really a left-wing version of Savage. Makes me ill and most *certainly* does not put progressives in any sort of good light.

[onehandle]

6. Randi's gone and their programming is AAR's programming.

I think this form letter is just being diplomatic. There would be a better chance of Sirius picking her up especially considering they have Mike Malloy.

[wildflowergardener]

7. XM

XM has Mike Malloy too, and they have Ed Schultz instead of Thom Hartmann - though they do have Thom on later at night, so they aren't only carrying Air America programming anymore - so keep writing. I'll be mad if they don't add her, since her show is one of the few reasons I just rejoined XM and her show is popular so I don't really see why they wouldn't if they can.

Keep writing.

Meg

[onehandle]

9. Ah. I thought there was parity between XM and AAR.

I listen to Mike on Sirius. I just bought a new car with 3 months of free XM. I need to listen to the "AAR" station a bit and familiarize myself with their programming.

[pstokely]

10. Sirius has Mike Mallory live, he's delayed an hour on XM

nt

[B Calm]

8. XM and Sirius carry Mike Malloy! No reason why they won't do it for Randi too!

[pstokely]

12. Probably going through negoiations right now