News Articles From Days Gone ByThe National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) and the National Action Network (NAN) announced that they would be protesting automobile manufacturers that market XM-equipped radios in their vehicles.
(30 September 2002)
"NABO will not tolerate corporate irresponsibility that harms our community. One of the reasons we demonstrated at a Volkswagen dealership last Friday in Washington D.C. is because Volkswagen lacks a significant number of black dealership and does not do enough business with minority vendors. That is wrong. That reality forces NABO to take direct action against Volkswagen and other carmakers that are poised to install XM Satellite radio at a time when XM Sat Radio places porn profits over the family oriented value positive Word Network," said Sam Riddle, NABO's crisis management consultant.
Taking a warning from the weak U.
(30 September 2002)
S.market for satellite radio, Global Radio of Luxembourg is actively cooperating with the European automotive industry in securing willing listeners for its broadcasts. They are building their business plan based on the longer cycle typical of the automotive business instead of the shorter cycle typically associated with consumer electronics.
Using the slogan "BE SIRIUS TUNE OUT XM" a group of individuals associated with the National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) and the National Action Network (NAN) demonstrates at XM headquarters today.
(27 September 2002)
In an apparent effort to alleviate concerns about programming that is alleged to glorify violence, drugs, and female debasement XM released a statement stating "We have informed NAN that we currently have a programming partnership with D.C.-area-based Radio One, the nation's largest African-American-owned radio company, which programs five channels including Spirit, the first 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week gospel channel, and The Power, the first national African-American talk channel." Not satisfied with XM's plans, NABO/NAN consultant Sam Riddle responded "Generically , XM is saying that XM has dealt with one set of 'niggahs' and Radio One is it for niggas. We, XM, Have our share for 'niggahs' so The Word should go away."
A new venture has been formed by XM and Delphi.
(25 September 2002)
Called SkyFi , it markets plug-and-play satellite radio systems that can be used in vehicles or at home. Two products being introduced are a receiver and remote control suitable for home or auto and a satellite boombox. The former product is expected to sell for $169.98, the latter for $99.99.
The Toledo Blade reports that if satellite radio is becoming more popular it certainly isn't evident from sales figures on the Jeep Liberty.
(24 September 2002)
Yark Automotive Group's Jack Streit commented "People are more worried about whether it's got a CD player or not than what kind of radio stations it gets."
XM boss Hugh Panero exchanged words with Reverend Horace L.
(23 September 2002)
Sheffield III as the latter participated in a protest outside Panero's Chevy Chase, Maryland home. As the CEO of the National Association of Black Organizations (NABO), Sheffield is upset with XM's decision to carry The Joint, Raw, and the Playboy channels. Upon being informed that Panero's wife was being treated for leukemia at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Rev. Sheffield led some participants in the vigil in a group prayer for Mrs. Panero. Sam Riddle, crisis management consultant to NABO and the National Action Network (NAN) commented "Even as we pray for Mrs. Panero, we must ask who will open the door standing strong on the porch of justice and to protect and pray for the women that are dehumanized by XM programming that glorifies drug usage, violence and the denigration of women."
The Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee is conducting a hearing on H.
(21 September 2002)
R.4869. Known as the Satellite Radio Freedom Act, the legislation provides an exemption from local taxation for direct-to-subscriber satellite service providers.
XM CEO Hugh Panero's home in posh Chevy Chase, Maryland is the site of WAKE-UP Call II, conducted by Reverend Horace Sheffield III, CEO of the National Association of Black ORganizations (NABO) and president of the Michigan chapter of the National Action Network (NAN).
(21 September 2002)
The two organizations are protesting XM's decision to carry Playboy Radio and reject the Word Network, a family oriented enterprise. "We are a peaceful group that will not back down nor will we be wait-listed by a satellite broadcast entity that feeds on genocidal forces of violence, drugs and the denigration of our women," said Rev. Sheffield. Sirius, by contrast with XM, has opted to carry the Word Network.
The Grand Ole Opry is finally getting Sirius.
(20 September 2002)
Nashville-based Gaylord Entertainment announced that it is entering into a new venture with Sirius to bring country entertainment to the spacewaves. "We're excited to join with Gaylord to share this unique heritage and landmark Nashville music and entertainment programming with country fans everywhere," said Sirius boss Joe Clayton. "WSM Entertainment" debuts as Sirius channel #164 and features music and special features from WSM-Radio.
The Word Network and Sirius announced plans to broadcast urban ministries, gospel music and special events.
(16 September 2002)
The programming will feature Creflo Dollar, Dr. Charles Stanley and Charles H. Ellis among others on Sirius channel 158. Said Sirius CEO Joe Clayton "Sirius is committed to bringing our subscribers quality programming and diverse content across the entire platform of our 100 channels of digital entertainment."
Sirius is getting into movies.
(16 September 2002)
They have begun broadcasting a talkshow hosted by film authority Richard Brown called "Movies 101." Brown uses a format similar to that of a class he has taught since 1969 in which a film screening is used in conjunction with conversations with the film's principals. For the radio version, audio from each movie is used interspersed with discussions with the actors. Sigourney Weaver, Ben Stiller, Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Spacey, Gwynethy Paltrow, and Harrison Ford are featured in the initial lineup. Brown is a professor of humanities at New York University.
The Sirius website is getting a facelift.
(10 September 2002)
eFoundry announced the re-launch of the new site using Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) -based technology. Sirius aims to deploy a content management system to streamline production, among other objectives. eFoundry president Steven Doherty noted "We've got tremendous depth of experience in building Web infrastructures and applications for complex, highly evolved websites." Chris Williamson, Sirius' Director of Information Technology commented "When our customers, prospects, and partners come to the sirius website they need everything from programming information to our product catalog and service plans. They expect easy, reliable access to rich, accurate information every time they visit."
Among other options available from automobile manufacturers, satellite radio receivers are rising to prominence as a hot trend this year.
(9 September 2002)
Charles Robbins, director of corporate affairs for XM commented "We're doing for radio what cable did for television. We want people to say 'Remember when there was just AM and FM?'"
The National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) and the National Action Network (NAN) has alerted Honda, Volkswagen, Isuzu and Nissan that a boycott of their products may be organized if they continue doing business with XM.
(6 September 2002)
NAN president and NABO CEO Horace Sheffield III has been opposed to XM CEO Hugh Panero's apparent disregard for the well being of the African American community. Rev. Sheffield commented "XM Satellite Radio programming reflects a glaring lack of positive programming options to those XM channels that glorify the cultures of violence, drugs and female debasement that is too pervasive in urban America." He has urged that XM carry The Word Network, which broadcasts urban ministries to African American homes on a daily basis.
Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore has joined the Sirius Sounding Board.
(5 September 2002)
She'll bring expertise, select performances, and commentary to Sirius' lineup of programming. One of the foremost interpreters of Rossini, Ms. Larmore commented "I am thrilled to be working with Sirius to provide listeners with personal experiences and lessons about the lyrical realm of opera and classical music."
The National Action Network (NAN) and the National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) have been campaigning to have the satellite broadcasting business provide value positive programming for African Americans.
(4 September 2002)
Reverend Horace Sheffield III, president of the Michigan Chapter of NAN and organizer of a recent protest against XM commented that Sirius, among other broadcasters "have set the tone for corporate responsibility by agreeing to carry value positive programming such as The Word Network." NABO and NAN are currently concentrating on the programming of Service Electric and Pencor Services, two Pennsylvania-based cable companies.
XM's stock proce is getting a boost from their agreement with Honda.
(2 September 2002)
It rose by 36 percent last week after an announcement was made that Honda would be making XM service available as a dealer-installed option in several of their vehicles. XM's stock proce closed last week at $5.43.
According to the Los Angeles Times , Playboy is gearing up for the debut of XM's Playboy Radio.
(2 September 2002)
Scott Barton, the Playboy Entertainment Group's national public relations director commented "Sex is all in the mind. You don't need to see it to get the information or intent." Playboy's successful cable TV program "NIght Calls" makes its radio debut on XM Weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.