XM Satellite Radio: Bias in Program Line-up?

XM Satellite Radio Program Guide ^ | June 19, 2005 | marylina

[marylina]

New car came with three-month trial of XM Radio. In order to create my own "custom XM channel lineup," I studied the program guide. My concern is with terms XM Radio used to describe the right- and left-leaning talk channels.

The link should bring up the channels XM offers. Look in the TALK section.

Am I being too sensitive here? Why is the description for "America Right" -- Conservative Talk, and that of "America Left" -- Progressive Talk? What happened to the term Liberal? If Conservative is used to describe one, then the clearest opposite for the other is Liberal, not Progressive!

Pretty sneaky, huh? This outfit won't be getting our business when the three months are up, and they'll be lucky if they get out of this deal without an incoming phone call.

Opinions?

[marylina]

Very interesting websites, Howlin. Thanks for sharing.

This discussion has been more informative than I had intended!

[Keith in Iowa]

'Progressive' is what the commies are calling themselves these days - so, I'd say it's an accurate choice of words.

[marylina]

Too many spin machines operating overtime. Very scary, snugs.

[marylina]

'Progressive' is what the commies are calling themselves these days - so, I'd say it's an accurate choice of words.

Guess I don't want to be called 'Progressive.'

[marylina]

If you think you'll avoid liberal/progressive/lefty talk on Sirius, you are mistaken.

No, I don't care what they offer. I was questioning the use of "conservative" for right-leaning, and "progressive" for left. I wondered what happened to the more accurate term "liberal."

I have definitely had my eyes opened here...

[SaveTheChief]

The left do not call themselves liberals anymore since liberals have been successfully defined by their socialist policies. The term "progressive" is just a disguise. Either way, they shovel out the same nonsense as they did before.

If the Democrats were truly "progressive", they would be looking for new ways to make progress. Their policies continue to penalize the wealthy and keep the majority of the population from achieving financial freedom. In other words, they restrict or try to impede individual progress for most of America in order to finance their programs to keep us in the service of government. These people are quite the opposite of the word "progressive".

[marylina]

Very insightful post, STC. Thank you.

By the way, Save the Chief.

[deport]

My concern is with terms XM Radio used to describe the right- and left-leaning talk channels.

---

150 or so channels and you are hacked about the owners description of two channels.... LOL.

[marylina]

Mind if I quote you?

[marylina]

Yup. My friends know me as a mighty opinionated person.

[SaveTheChief]

Very insightful post, STC.

Nah! Just ramblings from someone who ought to be out enjoying a beautiful day in Central Illinois.

[SaveTheChief]

Go ahead. If you can find a better way to say it, let me know too. Thanks!

[SandRat]

Her political and only political paramore is Pelosi and her footmen all on that list, ..... they are all there.

[rollo tomasi]

Just remember, cancer is progressive. Anytime someone uses the term "progressive" I remind them what collectivism leads to, just like cancer.

[marylina]

Your quote is quite unprofessionally featured on my FR homepage, with a collection of pictures which I had not known where else or how to save!

Siriusly, I meant it when I said Save The Chief. He's in harm's way AGAIN. That's coming from a Badger now living in northern Illinois.

[Babu]

Sirius has NRA News on twice a day - they can't be thaaaat liberal.

Last I knew Sirius had NPR - taxpayer-funded Liberal gibberish
And foul-mouthed, far-left Stern is coming online soon.
And name for me some syndicated conservative hosts Sirius has (Maybe they do - I don't have Sirius, so don't know).
All in All, I think Sirius is pretty Liberal.

XM has Laura Ingraham, Tony Snow, Michael Medved, Michael Reagan, (maybe other conservative hosts that I don't recall offhand?)
I contend that XM definitely has more conservative programming. Not to mention more diverse music channels and less reruns on their comedy channels than Sirius, better and more comprehensive traffic and weather channels for numerous metro areas across the country.
XM is simply winning the subscriber battle because it's a better product.

[marylina]

I contend that XM definitely has more conservative programming. Not to mention more diverse music channels and less reruns on their comedy channels than Sirius, better and more comprehensive traffic and weather channels for numerous metro areas across the country. XM is simply winning the subscriber battle because it's a better product.

Liberals -- oops Progressives -- know that to gain any of the ground they have lost in the last eight years, they have to get into talk radio. Their money is being thrown at this, but nothing has stuck so far. Is there one good talk show host on their side?

Even X42 is trying to get into this area.

[kerryusama04]

XM is winning because it was first and it was integrated into GM cars before Sirius got of the ground. There is more extreme stuff on Sirius. Indeed, Stern is coming, but I'm not tuning in.

Sirius has NRANEWS, Rusty Humphries, Michael Medved, The guy from Babylon 5. Hannity, Ingraham, Snow, Tammy Bruce, heck, more than I can keep up with and I drive 40K miles a year!

They only have one Evangelical Christian talk radio station and it is Southern Baptist-ish (not my style) which a negative in my view.

[NJ_gent]

If you're a conservative, how do you describe yourself? Conservative.

If you're a liberal, how do you describe yourself? Progressive. They're likely just using whatever language the channel's programmers have asked them to use.

[SaveTheChief]

Those who want to get rid of the Chief, do not understand who he is, what he does, or what he represents. Just like liberals, they don't let facts or popular will get in the way of their agenda.

I think he is safe for the time being, but supporters cannot rest because the Chief's detractors will not.

[NJ_gent]

"Didn't know that."

I've had XM for about 3 years now and I still don't know that. There's nothing liberal or conservative about the oldies station I listen to, and Opie and Anthony are tilted conservative, if anything.

[Poser]

You are overreacting. When XM gets Rush, I'll get XM.

[marylina]

So you're saying that I should just enjoy the stations. Right? I do enjoy the various channels. I'm just sick and tired of hidden agenda, everywhere we look.

[marylina]

I often overreact. It's part of my chemistry. Not apologizing for it, either.

Overreactors shake things up!

Not being smart with you -- it's just the way I am.

[NJ_gent]

For what it's worth, I did pretty significant research on equipment and programming before I chose a satellite radio provider. I ended up going with XM because the programming lineup is pretty equal between the two, but the equipment for XM is literally years ahead of Sirius. My favorite comment about Sirius' equipment was when someone said "I always wanted an EKG machine on my dashboard". With Sirius bleeding money as badly as they are, and with the half-billion dollar contract with Howard Stern dragging them down financially, I don't think Sirius will even be around in 5 years. Unfortunately, that's going to remove the motivation for XM to continue bringing out new and better equipment and programming.

[marylina]

I agree with you totally about the Chief. My husband is an Illini, and he still tears up when the Chief does his dance. The Chief represents a very proud heritage, in a positive way, if the PCers could just see it.

They are pushing their agenda, as you said.

[NJ_gent]

"Otherwise, the two are virtually identical."

I'd agree with that 5 years ago, but not anymore. Opie and Anthony have gotten much funnier and more innovative, especially with the participation of Jim Norton on the program, while Howard Stern has descended to a paranoid, bitter, unfunny little man who inspires more pity than laughter these days. I think you're right that Howard's contract is going to put Sirius under, though. They've been bleeding money and having trouble paying employees on time for quite a while.

[marylina]

Thanks for the info. I have two sons in law who are currently comparing XM and Sirius. I will pass this along to them.

If I decide to dump XM, must I live with that "XM" button on my radio?

[VegasCowboy]

I think you'll find that after the 3 months, you won't want to dump XM. I really miss it when I drive my wife's car. Having to listen to moronic DJs and endless commercials is very difficult after you've gotten used to satellite radio's DJ and commercial free formats.

[Oldhunk]

Forget about the labels and give XM a fair shot. Everyone I know that has it loves it. I travel a lot and would be completely lost without it. Only drawback is that they don't carry Rush. They probably never will, as Rush is probably protecting his local broadcast stations.

[VegasCowboy]

O&A are starting to grow on me. I'll admit that before I got XM, I would listen to Stern on my way to work. I had to turn him off, though, when he started giving credence to some nutjob who claimed that the Pentagon was hit by US missiles on 9/11.

His constant complaining about the mean old FCC got really old too. He got more free pub out of that fine than any amount of paid advertising could have gotten him.

[NJ_gent]

"I think you'll find that after the 3 months, you won't want to dump XM. I really miss it when I drive my wife's car. Having to listen to moronic DJs and endless commercials is very difficult after you've gotten used to satellite radio's DJ and commercial free formats."

I know what you mean; I can't stand to listen to more than a few minutes of commercial radio anymore. It's so cheesey, corny, and filled with commercials that I quickly reach a point where I literally prefer silence. I love my Mi-Fi though (portable XM radio about the size of a walkman).

[NJ_gent]

Jim Norton has become my favorite comedian. I think he really completes that show, and definitely puts it over the top. I really like the guests they get on that show as well. It's really a fun program to listen to because it's basically a group of guys having fun conversations all day.

[nevergore]

Chill...Gary Parsons is their Chairman.... I personally know him.....

He's hardly liberal....an ex-SouthernNet and Telecom*USA VP of Engineering....

They let the channels self-define to an extent....they are a conduit for the talent.....

NeverGore :^)

[NJ_gent]

"So you're saying that I should just enjoy the stations. Right? I do enjoy the various channels. I'm just sick and tired of hidden agenda, everywhere we look."

Well, I don't think there's any hidden agenda here. I do think that enjoying the content of the stations matters more than enjoying their names. From what I've seen, XM puts the stations in place, doesn't censor anything, and lets the listeners make the decision as to what content best fits their desires. That, to me, is a textbook case of just plain good business practice.

[marylina]

What station is Jim Norton on? I must admit, it is a breath of fresh air to listen uninterrupted to great music and some interesting talk shows. The sound is shockingly good, when compared to what we've all been listening to for years.

I'm just too "convicted" sometimes. The name Barbra Streisand or Alec Baldwin in the credits will stop me from seeing a movie. Call me crazy!

[VegasCowboy]

Well, I don't think there's any hidden agenda here. I do think that enjoying the content of the stations matters more than enjoying their names. From what I've seen, XM puts the stations in place, doesn't censor anything, and lets the listeners make the decision as to what content best fits their desires. That, to me, is a textbook case of just plain good business practice.

Exactly. Are there liberal stations on satellite radio? Absolutely. But there are also conservative stations. Fortunately, there are lots of stations that are neither, but are there purely for entertainment. Sometimes its ok to enjoy something without considering its politics.

[marylina]

Chill...Gary Parsons is their Chairman.... I personally know him.....

Would you feel comfortable asking him about the use of the word "progressive" to describe the liberal talk show? Have you read the rest of this thread, and are you familiar with the use of the word "progressive" being equated with communist?

I realize it's only some people's opinion here, but he might want to look into it.

Probably trivial stuff here, to a Chairman, but I've always been a detail person.....

[zerosix]

The word "liberal" has been so discredited by the far right-wing-waco Christian/Republicans, that in order to being slandered by "hate speech", we needed a new term. Thus Progressive was researched by test groups and was found to be "positive, non-threatening, gender neutral, negative-free, but most of all, completely hides our true intent for the sheeple." Green/Communist/Socialist/Liberal, DemocRAT Party.

[marylina]

There you have it.

[beavus]

I think it is more a case of allowing people to label themselves. Conservatives like calling themselves conservatives. Liberals, however, don't like the word "liberal" and prefer to call themselves "progressive".

It's like "pro-life" and "pro-choice". You don't often see "anti-choice" or "anti-life", or even "anti-abortion" or "pro-abortion".

Labels are chosen so as not to offend the labelled.

[P-Marlowe]

There's no conspiracy. Just be glad they have America Right.

[NJ_gent]

"What station is Jim Norton on?"

He's on XM 202 "High Voltage", which is the Opie and Anthony channel. Mind you, his comedy is not for a lot of people, as it can be as crude, vulgar, and disturbing as one can imagine. He does, however, often times leave me laughing so hard that I think I'm going to end up in the hospital.

"I must admit, it is a breath of fresh air to listen uninterrupted to great music and some interesting talk shows. The sound is shockingly good, when compared to what we've all been listening to for years."

It gets to the point where you wonder how you ever listened to commercial radio in the first place. I don't know anyone who has XM radio who can stand to listen to commercial radio anymore; it's just too painful after you've been spoiled. It's also nice to be able to drive from Maine to Florida without having to change stations. I take a lot of trips from NJ to MD and VA, and it's nice to never have to leave the stations I like.

[gcruse]

"Progressive" is a codeword for "communist."

So the conservative party in Canada, the Progressive Conservatives, are really communist conservatives?  I don't think so.

[killerw]

"Progressive" is a secret code word demorats use for communist.

[marylina]

I haven't seen the term "progressive" used much. It angers me, because it leaves conservatives with the opposite of progressive or

post #2 Are you not aware that Conservative equals regressive? by razorback-bert.

[RFEngineer]

There is DEFINITELY a hidden agenda with XM, and it impacts me personally, and like you, I'm not happy about it at all.

Those knuckleheads have gone out and put so much content on a device that my kids have appropriated it out of my car into my wifes so now, I'm back to over-the-air radio during drivetime......

Those treacherous slimeballs at XM......I will never forgive them for causing me to have to listen to the usual crap over-the-air.

[marylina]

Where's your SPINE, RFE?

[marylina]

I'll be tuning to XM 202 "High Voltage," the next time I get behind the wheel. Thanks!

Where in NJ? We used to live in the beautiful, quiet town of Chester. Can't beat that state.

[beavus]

I haven't seen the term "progressive" used much. It angers me, because it leaves conservatives with the opposite of progressive or post #2 Are you not aware that Conservative equals regressive? by razorback-bert.

It may make you mad, but the reason for it is that "liberal" has (appropriately) been given such a bad name that not even liberals like it anymore.