Edition #18: The latest from SiriusXM.
Brett Favre's show is suspended, Hurricane Ian, The Billy Joel Channel, and all kinds of events.
Friday, September 30th, 2022
Hello there. Its the last newsletter of the month and you’re reading SeriousXM, home to the latest news, notes, and happenings inside the SiriusXM service.
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On to this week’s newsletter…
The Latest News
Hurricane Ian coverage on SiriusXM.
This is not the biggest story of the week inside SiriusXM, but this is impacting far more many people right now as such an ever-developing weather story. As I write this to you (close to 2:00am ET on 9/30/2022), Hurricane Ian is a category 1 storm with winds up to 85 mph moving north-northeast at 10 mph.
Its expected to move towards the Carolinas this weekend and affect people there, but not after making landfall in Southwest Florida this week as a category 4 storm, close to category 5 status at one point. It has destroyed everything in its path, making its way from Southwest Florida to Central Florida, and later moving up the coast onto the ocean. Yours truly lives in South Florida and we dodged a serious serious bullet with this system. Otherwise, it could’ve been very dangerous here.
For more coverage on this ever-present story that just continues to unfold and bring devastation to Florida, and soon to the Carolinas, SXM has teamed up with The Weather Channel to provide continuous coverage across its service for as long as it needs to be.
The Weather Channel can be found on Channel 134 on satellite radios, typically the home to SiriusXM’s 1st Traffic and Weather for Boston, Philly, and D.C. But because those channels aren’t available online, The Weather Channel is instead available on streaming platforms on Channel 512.
Brett Favre’s SXM show is suspended.
A growing scandal has made SiriusXM put the brakes on pause for Brett Favre’s weekly talk show on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Channel 88).
His weekly talk show has been suspended following a probe into a welfare fraud case in Mississippi, though its not charged with a crime and has denied any wrongdoing. Favre, who’s hosted on SiriusXM since 2018, will not appear at the moment and this comes after a local sports station in Milwaukee suspended him from a different program that recapped Packers games every week.
Multiple reports, according to Variety, are saying that Favre allegedly conspired with former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant to divert federal welfare funds toward the construction of a new $5 million volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi. Favre is an alum of the university and his daughter played volleyball at the school.
Variety reported the FBI interviewed Favre about over $1.1 million in speaking fees he received in 2017-18 for talks he allegedly didn't deliver. Favre paid back the fees, which had come from federal welfare funds earmarked for low-income Mississippi families.
His show last came out on September 13th but has been suspended since. As the program won’t air for the foreseeable future, a SiriusXM spokesperson told The Desk and Matthew Keys that the channel will air alternate programming instead.
The Billy Joel Channel is back!
Another year, another chance for more Billy Joel.
The Piano Man’s very own SiriusXM channel is back for another year for another limited run. This time, The Billy Joel Channel is to celebrate the release of Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium. The channel will run all October long, from the first to the 30th (not counting the 31st I see) on one of SiriusXM’s Limited Edition channels, Channel 105 plus the SXM app.
You’ll hear a lot of his songs plus BJ The DJ, a show where he plays his favorite music and commentary to go along with it. Also, Track-by-Track shows for every one of his studio albums and four episodes of What Was I Thinking? where Billy talks about the stories behind the songs.
Also, more specials, a listener-voted countdown, the Billy A to Z show, and Guest DJ shows hosted by Garth Brooks (more on him later), Don Henley, Pat Monahan, and more.
Throughout the channel’s run, Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium will play. This concert film was shot back in 1990, but will be released on October 5th and 9th, before releasing copies of it on November 4th. Only now this is coming out because its been re-edited for 4K video and Dolby Atmos audio with newly mixed original multi-track tapes. It will include a never-before-released performance of Uptown Girl plus feature interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and feature more of his hit songs like Piano Man, We Didn’t Start The Fire, New York State of Mind, and plenty more.
Crooked Media takes over SiriusXM Progress until the midterms.
Yesterday, SiriusXM announced that Crooked Media’s podcasts will take over its progressive/liberal talk channel SiriusXM Progress (Channel 127) every weekend until the upcoming midterms in November.
Its podcasts include Pod Save America and Pod Save The World, among others.
There was a special taping of the former podcast from L.A. that took place on Wednesday and it will air tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). In addition, a special taping of the podcast Hysteria will take place on October 18th and will air at a later date. Both podcast episodes will also be available wherever folks get their audio, including Stitcher and the SXM app.
This is actually a part of a much broader deal between SXM and Crooked Media to offer more programming focused on the upcoming midterms and the year-round never-ending political cycles.
Channel Changes
I’m calling it channel changes this week because while there’s at least one new channel to tell you about, another one is saying goodbye today.
First up, its The Pop Off. SXM is describing it as “the next class of pop sass” (whatever that means). The best way to describe it is new (future legendary) female artists, if that makes sense.
Here, they’ll have artists such as Tate McRae, Dove Cameron, Dixie, Cat Burns, Willow, and Julia Wolf mixed in with artists we now recognize today, such as Billie Eilish, Rihanna, Cardi B, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, and more.
The channel is only available on streaming plans/platforms and can be found on Channel 1208, which is literary at the end of the lineup.
The Garth Channel ends its six-year run today.
Unfortunately, today does mean the end of a six-year run for The Garth Channel. Today’s your last chance to check out the channel on Channel 55 before it goes away… for now.
As we told you in a special edition a couple of weeks ago, this was Garth’s decision, not SXM’s, to end the channel. Listen now before it goes away for a good while. Oh, and before you ask, NO. The channel is not going online only. The plug is being pulled this time, but Garth hasn’t ruled out having the channel back in the future so stay tuned because if it comes back, we’ll let you know in the newsletter.
Early images I’m already seeing are indicating that Red, White, and Booze (usually on Channel 350) will temporarily take over on Channel 55 for an undetermined period of time.
Events
Time to get to the events portion of this newsletter. A new audiobook gets a preview, plus more Hispanic Heritage Month events and all sports events galore.
Before I get to that, I do want to remind you about two events I have already mentioned here in the newsletter that I thought I should remind you about again…
Pandora LIVE's El Pulso event with Don Omar already took place in early September but only now this weekend will you be able to hear it.
It will air on Caliente (Channel 158) starting tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT) with replays aired throughout the weekend.
John Legend's Small Stage Series Concert has already taken place and now its time to hear it on the radio.
It will air on The Pulse (Channel 5) on Wednesday, October 5th at 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. ET (3:00 and 6:00 p.m. PT).
On the same day, Heart and Soul (Channel 48) will air the concert at 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. ET (5:00 and 8:00 p.m. PT).
A new comedy audiobook on love and sex.
This week, SXM has been providing previews of a new audiobook hosted by Rachel Bloom and Jay Pharoah that gets into the nitty gritty when it comes to all things love and sex, mixed in with comedy of course.
Kiss and Tell: Stand Up and Stories About Love, Sex, Etc. is having previews all this week and even into this weekend on Kevin Hart’s LOL Radio (Channel 96). Hour-long blocks will feature Rachel, Jay, and a guest lineup of all-star celebrities getting into talking about all things modern relationships. It will include stand-up, storytelling, original songs, impressions, and more.
Hispanic Heritage Month specials
This week, Caliente (Channel 151) will have another episode of Lod Herederos where Marisol interviews Lupita Infante, an American singer-songwriter with Mexican roots who specializes in traditional mariachi, norteño, and ranchera music.
That can be heard at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
Also this week, Águila (Channel 761; online-only) will have a performance by Banda Zirahuen. TBD on the time but it will be heard and available on Thursday, October 6th.
Remember, Viva (Channel 763; online-only) will also have a Las Poderosas special featuring Erika Ender that aired on Wed., Sept. 28th but will also air this weekend on Saturday, October 1st at 11:00am ET (8:00am PT) and on Tuesday, October 4th at 10:00am and 10:00pm ET (7:00am and 7:00pm PT).
Don’t forget, you also have Jesus Trejo hosting his weekly Thursday Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration specials every Thursday on Netflix is a Joke Radio (Channel 93), Comedy Greats (Channel 93) airing multiple rebroadcasts of a special celebrating the month with Latino/Hispanic comedians, and a health special devoted to Hispanics the entire month on Doctor Radio (Channel 110).
Sports
Finally, its the sports section. Everything’s in full swing, except for two sports that’ll be coming back next month to entertain us once again. And here are details on one of them.
🏀: The NBA is slowly coming back.
Its almost that time for the start of the NBA season. Therefore, SiriusXM NBA Radio (Channel 86) will be providing a Season Preview episode for all 30 NBA teams for the upcoming season as they get into training camps.
Each episode will feature exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and general managers, plus live practice analysis. We’ll mention the schedules each week (as in Friday to next Friday). All episodes will also be on the SXM app after it premieres.
Already available on the SXM app…
Philadelphia 76ers (aired on Tue., Sept. 27th at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT)
Washington Wizards (aired on Tue., Sept. 27th at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT)
Dallas Mavericks (aired on Wed., Sept., 28th at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT)
New Orleans Pelicans (aired on Wed., Sept. 28th at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT)
Minnesota Timberwolves (aired on Thu., Sept. 29th at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT)
Scheduled to air this upcoming week…
Today, Friday, September 30th
Milwaukee Bucks at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT.
Toronto Raptors at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.
Denver Nuggets at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.
Monday, October 3rd
New York Knicks at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT.
Memphis Grizzlies at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.
Tuesday, October 4th
Chicago Bulls at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT.
Phoenix Suns at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.
Wednesday, October 5th
Golden State Warriors (defending champions) at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT.
San Antonio Spurs at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.
Thursday, October 6th
Brooklyn Nets at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT.
Sacramento Kings at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.
We’ll mention the rest in the upcoming weeks ahead. The NBA season gets underway on Tuesday, October 18th.
🏒⚾: Notes about other sports.
I also want to remind you that the NHL season gets going next Friday and we should have more details about this year’s SXM coverage by then so stay tuned.
Also, the current MLB season wraps up on Wednesday, October 5th, meaning that the upcoming playoffs are fast approaching. Again, once I have more details about SXM’s plans for Baseball Playoff coverage, I’ll be sharing them with you here.
🏈: NFL Schedule for Week 4.
But one that won’t get going or wrap up is America’s most popular sport that has been playing for about a month now… its still Football time!
Once again, Matthew Keys from The Desk delivers a handy-dandy guide to Week 4 in the NFL where you can find the national, Spanish, and hometown broadcasts for each game plus channels for post-game analysis.
But there is one game, in particular, I do want to mention and that is an early Sunday morning game in London. This Sunday, its the Vikings against the Saints from London on Sunday morning at… 9:30am ET (6:30am PT - sorry to the West Coast early-risers). The game is available nationally on its Sports Play-by-Play channels.
Nationally… Channel 229.
Minnesota Vikings hometown broadcast powered by 100.3 KFXN-FM Minneapolis-St. Paul on Channel 386.
New Orleans Saints hometown broadcast powered by AM 870 and 105.3 FM - WWL Radio New Orleans on Channel 228.
⛳🏁: Other Sports
Here’s where we mention the other sports featuring the other events that are taking place.
⛳
The PGA Tour is in Jackson, Miss. this weekend for the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson. Of course, SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio (Channel 92) will have it all. Coverage will be on today at 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT) and on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT).
🏁
NASCAR is at the heart of Racing Country this week and is considered one of the most dangerous… Talladega. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) will have it all.
Saturday, October 1st
NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series - Talladega 250 at 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT.
NASCAR Xfinity Series - Sparks 300 at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT.
Sunday, October 2nd
NASCAR Cup Series - YellaWood 500 at 1:00pm ET/10:00am PT.
This week’s in-race audio car drivers…
Joey Logano - #22 on Channel 980.
Ryan Blaney - #12 on Channel 981.
Christopher Bell - #20 on Channel 982.
🏁
SiriusXM is also going to be carrying an IMSA SportsCar Championship race, this one from the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
Its the Motul Petit LeMans - WeatherTech Championship and you can hear it tomorrow, Saturday, October 1st at 12:10pm ET/9:10am PT on Channel 207, one of SiriusXM’s Sports Play-by-Play channels.
🏁
One more motorsports event… Formula One! The international version of NASCAR (and a more popular one) is in Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore this week for the Singapore Grand Prix.
ESPN Xtra (Channel 81) will have all the action, starting with the qualifying at 8:55am ET (5:55am PT) on Saturday, October 1st, followed by the race itself at 8:00am ET (5:00am PT).
That’s it. That is it for this week’s newsletter.
Come back next week for another edition of the latest news, notes, and events taking place inside SiriusXM. That’s what I do here at the SeriousXM newsletter.
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Isn't Favre the football deflation guy? They seem to scapegoat him for everything, if so.