Edition #41: The latest news from SiriusXM.
Mercedes-Benz keeps SXM for a while longer, podcast news, specials, sports events, and more.
Friday, May 12th, 2023
Hello there once again! Welcome back to the weekly SeriousXM newsletter. This is your one and only shop for the latest news, notes, and events regarding the SiriusXM service. If you like what you see and want to support me, my newsletter, and my work, then follow these links…
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The Latest News
Mercedes-Benz and SiriusXM renew.
This week, SiriusXM and Mercedes-Benz came together to renew their agreement and extended a multi-year deal that’ll expand SXM’s usage to now be available as a standard on all Mercedes models starting with the 2024 model year. This will now include SXM’s 360L platform on future Mercedes models.
If you are unaware, SiriusXM with 360L combines satellite and streaming into a single platform. This allows traditional channels to be available, plus SXM’s online channels, their Xtra channels, and on-demand content and podcasts. Not only that, the Pandora Stations feature will be included as well.
For those looking to purchase or lease a Mercedes-Benz car that’s equipped with SiriusXM inside them, there are six-month (that’s right, half-a-year) trial subscriptions available to SiriusXM’s Platinum plan, which is their biggest package available.
A podcast leaves SXM’s Earwolf for Sony Music.
Jonathan Van Ness is moving his podcast from SXM’s Earwolf to Sony Music Entertainment.
This week, Van Ness signed an ad sales and distribution deal with Sony Music for his podcast, Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. The podcast, which began in 2015 before his rise to stardom on Netflix’s Queer Eye, has Van Ness exploring a wide range of topics with academics, activists, and other experts.
The podcast was previously part of Earwolf, one of SXM’s podcast network units that the company acquired in 2020. It also inspired a TV series spinoff with Netflix last year. With this move, he’ll now release two weekly episodes of the feed, a standard one and a second which will alternative topics between beauty (Pretty Curious) and topical news-based issues (Curious NOW).
A new podcast explores queer music culture.
However, as one podcast leaves, another one joins in. A new docuseries called Sounds Gay will join SiriusXM’s Stitcher, especially Stitcher Studios.
The new series, which is hosted by writer and producer Sarah Esocoff, debuts on May 24th and will air new episodes every Wednesday through June. This is an original podcast about queer music culture, telling stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music.
SXM Media, the ad group of SiriusXM Holdings, Inc., will have exclusive global ad sales rights for the new podcast docuseries.
Channel Changes
These are temporary limited-run ones. I don’t have many details to offer on this one. However, I can tell you that back on Wednesday, May 10th, SXM changed Channel 14, one of its Limited Edition channels, to become Prom Radio.
This channel has been around for a few years now, always on a limited-time basis. Its a channel devoted to remembering proms with music from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and beyond. Considering that prom season is here across the country, its not a total surprise that its around again. No word on how long it will last this time.
Another new channel that’s not really so new is Y’allternative which is a mix of country, alternative, and a combination of alternative country music. That one is available 24/7 on SXM 1157 as an Xtra channel but is available for a limited time now on Channel 55.
I also want to remind you that this Sunday is the final day of MasterClass and the programs and lessons that are available there on SXM 109.
Also, I talked about it last week, but Duran Duran Future Past Radio will begin its run next Thursday, May 18th, on SXM 105. However, something else is airing right now on that channel and I’ll talk about it in events…
Events
Welcome to the events section of the newsletter. Let’s get right to it.
SiriusXM celebrates AAPI this month.
This month, its Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and SiriusXM are celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — honoring the richness of their voices, cultural heritage, and impact they have on culture — with specials across music, sports, comedy, and more.
So, before Duran Duran gets their week-long limited-run channel on 105, this is what is actually airing now as we speak… SiriusXM K-Pop. In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, this Xtra channel is now airing for a limited time until next Thursday, May 18th on SXM 105 but because its an Xtra channel, its available year-round on the SXM app.
There are some takeovers taking place during this run, including a takeover from Agust D, also known as SUGA from BTS (now until Sunday, May 14th), a FIFTY FIFTY takeover on Monday, May 15th, a Tomorrow X Together takeover on Tuesday, May 16th, and an ENHYPEN takeover on Wednesday, May 17th, and Thursday, May 18th.
Next up, you got Asian American DJs with hour-long mix shows, favorite music, inspirations, and more with Steve Aoki’s Remix Radio, available year-round on SXM 735 (online only).
Then you have specials that are already available now on the SXM app that you can check out including…
An hour-long AAPI Heritage Month-themed music playlist from Disney Hits (SXM 302).
An AAPI Heritage Month comedy special from Raw Dog Comedy (SXM 99), featuring comedians Aziz Ansari, Jo Koy, Ali Wong, Russell Peters, and more.
An AAPI Baseball roundtable featuring host Jon Morosi interviewing players like Kurt Suzuki, Kolten Wong, and more from MLB Network Radio (SXM 89).
A special on the history of Polynesians in the NFL from SiriusXM NFL Radio (SXM 88).
An AAPI Heritage Month-themed special on the importance of the month, plus music from AAPI artists including Jay Park, Keshi, Saweetie, Gryffin, and much more.
Wolf Van Halen has a special guest for his next episode…
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Bet you didn’t know that.
Anyways, Wolf Van Halen, the son of the late and great Eddie Van Halen, has a monthly program on Classic Rewind (SXM 25) called Wolf Van Halen’s Top of the Pack and for his next episode, he’s going to celebrate Mother’s Day with a special edition of the program. No surprise, he’s gonna co-host it with this mother. The surprising part that you probably didn’t know… is that his mother is Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress Valerie Bertinelli.
It first premiered back on Wednesday, May 10th, but Classic Rewind will air the episode all week long and on the SXM app on-demand featuring Wolf and Valerie. Oh, and in this episode, Valerie gets to pick the songs, so tune in and check it out.
The Grateful Dead’s final tour has begun.
This week, the Grateful Dead kicked off their final tour live from Baton Hall at Cornell University, on the anniversary of their legendary concert there in 1977.
It premiered back on Monday on The Grateful Dead Channel (SXM 23) but is repairing twice more on Saturday, May 13th (tomorrow) at 12 Midnight ET (9:00pm PT) and again on Sunday, May 14th at 12 Noon ET (9:00am PT).
Proceeds from the concert, a charitable event hosted on the Cornell University campus, will benefit the Recording Academy’s MusiCares organization, which provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music industry, and Cornell University’s 2030 Project, in which researchers combine science, scholarship, and innovation to develop climate-change solutions.
Sports
Time to find out what SiriusXM will be airing in terms of sports this upcoming week. I still can’t tell you the Conference Finals in both the NBA and NHL playoffs just yet because we still don’t know the teams that will be in them. As of the release of this edition (7:00am ET on Friday, May 12th, 2023), there are still three Conference Semifinals series left in both sports’ playoff runs.
I’ll break it down once they both get into the Conference Finals which for sure will be there by next week. Until then, I have some golf, motorsports, and more to talk about.
⛳: This week, the PGA Tour is in Texas, y’all.
SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio (SXM 92), covering the PGA Tour like always, is in Texas this weekend for the AT&T Byron Nelson, which is a tune-up to next week’s PGA Championship (details to soon follow).
For this weekend, catch all the golfing action with LIVE coverage every day starting at 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT), including today.
⛳: Next week, the PGA Championship.
This week, SiriusXM announced its plans for next weekend’s LIVE coverage of the 2023 PGA Championship, which will be Thursday, May 18th through Sunday, May 21st at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y.
LIVE coverage will be co-produced by SiriusXM and Westwood One next Thursday and Friday at 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT) and next Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT). There’ll be live looks-ins during its programming on those days and there’ll be Championship Week programming starting LIVE at 7:00am ET (4:00am PT) each weekday and at 8:00am ET (5:00am PT) on the weekend.
On the broadcast, you’ll hear Hunter Mahan, and Johnson Wagner as analysts plus play-by-play sportscaster Brian Katrek. You’ll also have reports from on-course reporters Maureen Madill, Mark Carnevale, and John Maginnes. Taylor Zarzour will contribute as host and play-by-play and Jason Sobel will have pre- and post-round interviews with players on the field.
During the week, you’ll have special programming, including…
A new podcast debuting the week of the tournament called The Smylie Show, hosted by Smylie Kaufman, making its debut on Monday, May 15th at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT) on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, airing every Monday on that channel, and debuting new podcast episodes on Mondays and Thursdays.
Fred Couples with a new episode of The Fred Couples Show on Tuesday, May 16th at 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT).
Rocco Mediate with a new episode of The Rocco Hour on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:00pm ET (3:00pm PT).
Annika Sorenstam with a new episode of her new SXM show, Annika, airing right after The Rocco Hour at 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT).
SiriusXM’s PGA Championship Pregame Show starts at 10:00am ET (7:00am PT) on each tournament day, featuring live coverage, interviews, commentary, and more.
On the weekend, David Marr III will host PGA of America Radio live from 9:00-10:00am ET (6:00-7:00am PT). This focuses on expert instruction, golf events, and programs designed to grow the game.
Next week’s PGA Championship-themed episode of Backstory (Wednesday at 10:00pm ET - 7:00pm PT) will focus on Craig Harmon who’s worked at Oak Hill (the site of the tournament) for 42 years, and focus on Justin Thomas’ victory at the tournament last year, and the anniversaries of Shaun Michael’s 2003 win and Hal Sutton’s 1983 victory.
After every round’s play for the day, there’ll be a two-hour wrapup of the day’s events, hosted by Gary Williams and Drew Stoltz.
🏁: South Carolina for NASCAR this weekend.
This weekend, NASCAR is in Darlington for its series of events and of course, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (SXM 90) has it all covered for you.
TONIGHT, Friday, May 12th
7:30pm ET (4:30pm PT) - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Truck Series Race at Darlington
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 13th
1:30pm ET (10:30am PT) - NASCAR Xfinity Series: Shriners Children’s 200
Sunday, May 14th
3:00pm ET (12 Noon PT) - NASCAR Cup Series: Goodyear 400
This week’s Driver2Driver in-race audio channels (online only)…
Joey Logano - #22 on SXM 980.
Denny Hamlin - #11 on SXM 981.
Chase Elliott - #9 on SXM 982.
🏎️: The Indy 500 Tuneup Event is this weekend.
For the rest of this month, the IndyCar series will be at its most prestigious home, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the end of the month on Memorial Day Weekend, will bring us the Indianapolis 500.
But for now, that’s still two weeks away so this weekend, its a tune-up event to get hyped and ready for it. Its the GMR Grand Prix and you’ll find coverage over on SiriusXM IndyCar Nation (SXM 160).
You’ll have IndyCar and Indy NXT Practice and Qualifying starting later this morning at 9:30am ET (6:30am PT), followed by some warm-ups and NXT racing tomorrow morning at 11:15am ET (8:15am PT), leading up to race time for the GMR Grand Prix at 3:30pm ET (12:30pm PT).
Within the next two weeks, we should have more details regarding live coverage of the Indianapolis 500. You’ll more than likely hear a majority of the coverage on SiriusXM IndyCar Nation but the race itself will more likely be on NBC Sports Audio (SXM 85). However, nothing is set in stone as of yet so as soon as those plans come out, I’ll be sure to let you know here in the newsletter.
Well, that’s all I got to offer for this week. Thanks for stopping by, opening up that email, and reading this week’s edition of SeriousXM!
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