Edition #44: The latest from SiriusXM.
Catching up on news from the past two weeks, plus this week's events and more.
Friday, June 9th, 2023
Hello everyone. I’m here and back at it again with another edition of the SeriousXM newsletter.
Forgive me for last week. I was sick and not feeling too well at all. My body felt knocked out and that’s what happened. Apologies for missing last week’s edition but this week, I am back. This time, I will do something a bit different but it will only be a week-long experiment.
I will be posting more links now to specific stores, events, etc. while still pretty much typing out the rest. It will only be done this week to see how it goes, so I encourage you that once you are done looking at this week’s edition to comment below or vote at our first-ever poll (its towards the end of the newsletter).
I hope you’ll continue to showcase your support for me and my work. I’d greatly appreciate it!
Now let’s catch up on last week’s and this week’s headlines.
Channel Changes
I actually have to start this week with the latest channel changes because… MY OH MY. This is one of the biggest changes I’ve had the chance to report on here since starting this newsletter over a year ago (can you believe that? I can’t).
Thanks to the new country channel Carrie’s Country that’s set to debut tonight (more on that in a bit), SiriusXM has decided to shake up its channel lineup with plenty of moves all around.
It’ll be broken down into four categories, the first of which is right now…
New Channels
Carrie’s Country is here!
Its been highly anticipated for quite some time and now, it has almost arrived. Carrie’s Country will debut TONIGHT at 7:45pm ET (4:45pm PT) on its new permanent home, SiriusXM Channel 60.
Eight-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood will launch her year-round channel with the company by doing so live and in person from SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cafe in Nashville, which by the way is where The Highway (SXM 56) is at for CMA Fest 2023 (more down below).
The Highway will carry a special four-hour simulcast of the new channel tonight from 8:00pm-12:00 Midnight ET (5:00-9:00pm PT). It will include a pre-recorded SiriusXM Town Hall done with Underwood from SiriusXM’s new Miami studios that’ll air at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) and will be rebroadcast throughout the weekend plus anytime on the SXM app.
And after that, it will air Underwood’s June 6th (this past Tuesday) performance from Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry.
Channel Moves, thanks to Carrie’s Country.
Since Carrie’s Country will be on Channel 60, it means that SiriusXM’s other Country channels will be moved around to accommodate it. Its actually set a plethora of other moves in different categories as well, and these moves took effect on June 7th, two days ahead of Carrie’s Country’s launch.
For starters, The Highway will remain on SXM 56 as one of ONLY two Country channels to remain in its place (Prime Country being the other on SXM 58). The rest are moving, including two channels that were previously in the Jazz/Standards/Classical category…
Y2Kountry, moving from 61 to 57.
No Shoes Radio (from Kenny Chesney), moving from 57 to 59.
Willie’s Roadhouse (from Willie Nelson himself), moving from 59 to 61.
Outlaw Country, moving from 60 to 62.
On Broadway, moving from 77 to 69.
Bluegrass Junction, moving from 62 to 77.
Escape, moving from 69 to 149.
Defunct
A quick note to mention that SiriusXM Channel 55, a placeholder channel that’s been around since the end of The Garth Channel, has been shut down. No more music or programming will air on that channel.
Moonbug Radio launches on SiriusXM.
Be honest. Have you heard of Moonbug before? I’ll wait…
Yeah. Neither have I. Regardless, there’s a new Kids channel now on SXM called Moonbug Radio. Located on Channel 307 and launched on Wednesday, June 7th, this new channel airs some of the most popular kids’ content in the world. It plays hit music from kids’ favorite shows produced by Moonbug such as CoComelon, Blippi, and so much more.
This channel is mainly aimed at preschoolers and toddlers. It focuses on programs around key moments of the day, such as slow instrumental tracks for bedtime and naps, routing and learning-based songs, upbeat tunes, and much more.
This channel is produced in collaboration with Moonbug Entertainment, a part of Candle Media.
Jeff Lewis gets his own SXM channel.
If you’ve ever heard of Jeff Lewis before, he’s the guy you’d hear mostly on Radio Andy (SXM 102). He has his own show on there as well and he mainly likes to dish about entertainment gossip and scoop. Now… he’ll have his own 24-hour channel for it.
Mainly online-only on Channel 789, The Jeff Lewis Channel will debut on Monday, June 12th.
His program, Jeff Lewis Live, will be aired constantly on the new channel plus three new shows…
Jeff Lewis Live After Show on weekdays at 1:00pm (10:00am PT).
Flipping Out Friday on Fridays at 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT).
Chumps Happy Hour on Fridays at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT).
His program airs on weekdays at 12 Noon on Radio Andy and on the new channel as well once it launches on Monday.
If you don’t know who he is, he is one of this country’s most successful house flippers, rising to fame with the Bravo docuseries Flipping Out as well as launching his own design firm in 2009.
Still around, but moved to Xtra.
The following channels are no longer available on online-only but are now available via its Xtra section…
Carolina Shag Radio (used to be on SXM 701)
ONEderland (used to be on SXM 702)
‘70s/’80s Pop (used to be on SXM 704)
‘80s/’90s Pop (used to be on SXM 705)
Elevations (used to be on SXM 706)
The Emo Project (used to be on SXM 713)
Celebrate (used to be on SXM 718)
The Latest News
There really isn’t that much news from the past two weeks but there is one new program, and one new podcast, to let you know about…
A new Business-related program.
A new program will soon debut on Business Radio (SXM 132) and it’ll happen this Monday, June 12th.
If you are into business, wall street, finance, all of it, then this is for you.
MRKT Call is hosted by Guy Adami and Dan Nathan who are two financial market experts and longtime contributors to CNBC’s Fast Money. Sharing insights on top market-moving business headlines of the day, its a surprise its only a weekly show and not a weekday show. Regardless, it will air on Mondays at 12 Noon ET (9:00am PT) starting this upcoming Monday.
Some of the hot-button topics they discuss include the state of the economy, breaking news from Wall Street, corporate earnings, economic data, interest rate decisions, and more. Its also a call-in show as SiriusXM subscribers can call in to ask the duo for advice on stock picks and more.
An SNL cast member gets her own SXM podcast.
SNL cast member and comedian Punkie Johnson is getting her own SXM podcast in partnership with Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio (SXM 96) on SiriusXM for a new show debuting June 19th. Love Thang with Punkie Johnson delves into the world of love, relationships, and steamy topics. Johnson, along with her best friend and co-host Dicey, will offer their advice on matters of the heart.
It will first premiere on Monday nights at 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT) on LOL Radio before being available as a free podcast every Tuesday morning.
Another new podcast, focusing on Black music.
Right in time for Black Music Month, David Dennis Jr. is hosting a new podcast for SXM that explores a deep dive into some of Black artists’ favorite albums called Rap Stories. A 12-episode run features Wiz Khalifa, Ja Rule, Bun B, Too $hort, Little Brother, and more.
They’ll talk about underrated albums in hip-hop history with nostalgic stories, and will also break down its backstory, cultural relevance, and its lasting impact. All 12 episodes are already available now on the SXM app.
Events
Time to get to all the events happening this upcoming week at SiriusXM.
Black Music Month across SXM and Pandora.
This month, SiriusXM and Pandora are celebrating Black Music Month with special programs and temporary limited-run channels.
I won’t mention them all here this time, but I WILL mention the limited-run channels that are available this month.
Billboard Top 500 R&B Countdown is Billboard’s Top 500 R&B hits by Black artists over the past six decades. Already played its week-long run on SXM 104, but is still available on the SXM app for the rest of the month.
So So Def Radio celebrates 30 years of So So Def Records. Its on SXM 104 from now until June 14th or now on the SXM app until June 30th. Starting June 16th, its also available as a takeover mode on Pandora’s Hip-Hop Forever station.
The 2PAC Channel celebrates 2PAC and his iconic career. Its on SXM 104 from June 15th to June 28th or now on the SXM app until June 30th.
Hip-Hop Top 500 are the biggest songs in hip-hop from three-plus decades. Its on SXM 105 from June 23rd to June 29th or now on the SXM app until June 30th.
For more programming specials and more details, click on the link here.
Its also Pride Month at SXM and Pandora.
Its also Pride Month and SiriusXM has special programming for that as well.
Andy Cohen’s Kiki Lounge (SXM 312) will have special music crafted for the month.
A PRIDE! with Adam Lambert special from The ‘10s Spot (SXM 11) that’s now available on the app.
Country Pride celebrates LGBTQIA+ in Country music. Its available now on SXM 105 until June 22nd.
SiriusXM Urban View (SXM 126) hosts a special called Black and Transgender in America: An Urban View Town Hall. It debuted yesterday but is available now on the SXM app.
Disney Hits (SXM 302) held a special Extra Magic Hour that features Disney’s Pride Concert. That’s available now on the SXM app.
MLB Network Radio (SXM 89) has an interview with MLB’s only openly gay player, Billy Bean. That’s also available now on the SXM app.
SiriusXM Progress (SXM 127) has a special that discusses LGBT issues with several members of the House LGBT Caucus and discusses attacks on the Queer community. That special is also available now on the SXM app.
A Counting Crows special on SXM.
The band Counting Crows has kicked off their Banshee Season Tour with a special one-night-only performance at the Troubadour on Monday, June 5th. SiriusXM Presents: Counting Crows marked the first time the Counting Crows performed at the storied venue.
While the performance has already happened by this point, the concert will be available for the first time in its entirely on Lithium (SXM 34) on June 12th at 11:00am ET (8:00am PT). Additional airings will be aired on ‘90s on 9 (SXM 9), The Spectrum (SXM 28), and PopRocks (SXM 12) throughout the week with Howard 101 (SXM 101) also carrying it next Friday, June 16th at 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT).
If you wanna know other times when you’ll be able to hear it, then click here.
The Highway is celebrating CMA Fest!
The Highway (SXM 56) is celebrating CMA Fest 2023 with appearances and shows hosted by SXM host Buzz Brainard. They’re having fun with appearances from Lauren Alaina, Russell Dickerson, Elle King, Carly Pearce, and much more. Plus, Carrie Underwood as well since its where she’s kicking off her new channel Carrie’s Country on SXM 60, in which The Highway will carry a four-hour simulcast of (see above).
Music Row Happy Hour, from Nashville, is underway and its on until Sunday, June 11th.
Gov Ball 2023
This weekend, SXM’s TikTok Radio (SXM 4; XL) and Hip Hop Nation (SXM 44; XL) are gonna be broadcasting from the Gov Ball 2023 up in Flushing Meadows, New York. Performances, artist interviews, and much more will be aired on both channels.
To see who’ll perform and be there for the festival weekend, click here.
Sports
Time to get to the sporting happenings of the upcoming week.
🏀: NBA Finals are still at it.
The championship hasn’t been decided yet, as its only been three games thus far. However, as of this edition, the Denver Nuggets lead the Miami Heat two games to one in this best-of-seven series.
Here’s where things stand as of right now and you can listen to every game on SiriusXM NBA Radio (as described before), plus on other broadcast channels I mentioned in the last edition so go there for more details. All games start at 8:30pm ET (5:30pm PT) except for Game 7 at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT).
Game 4: TONIGHT, Friday, June 9th
Game 5: Monday, June 12th
Game 6: Thursday, June 15th (if necessary)
Game 7: Sunday, June 18th (if necessary)
🏒: NHL Stanley Cup Finals are in progress as well.
As of this edition, the Vegas Golden Knights have a two-game-to-one lead over the Florida Panthers in this series, but its far from over.
SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (SXM 91) has all the games plus on the other broadcast channels as mentioned in the last edition.
Here’s where things stand in the series as of right now with all games starting at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT)…
Game 4: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 10th
Game 5: Tuesday, June 13th
Game 6: Friday, June 16th (if necessary)
Game 7: Monday, June 19th (if necessary)
⚽: USL and SiriusXM re-up ‘till 2025.
This week, the United Soccer League (USL) and SiriusXM got together to re-up their agreement to carry USL’s games through 2025. This means that all important games in its calendar, including the Final matches, will continue to be heard on SiriusXM F.C. (SXM 157).
This will include USL All-Access on Tuesday nights at 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT) on the channel, plus select games of the inaugural 2024-2025 USL Super League season, which is the Women’s side of USL Soccer, a USL Game of the Week, and more.
Broadcasts have started up again on Wednesday, May 7th but the next scheduled one for SiriusXM F.C. will be the San Diego Loyal and the Sacramento Republic at 10:00pm ET TONIGHT, Friday, June 9th (7:00pm PT).
🍁🏈: CFL Season is underway!
It began yesterday and now runs until December… the 2023 CFL Season has officially kicked off another year of Canadian football.
If you care about the Canadian Football League (CFL), then this is your time. Nine teams are battling it out for the chance to play in the 110th Grey Cup, this year’s in Hamilton.
All the action from this season in the league can be heard on Canada Talks (SXM 167).
⚾🏎️🏇⛳🏁: Other Sports
Here are some of the other sports events SiriusXM has available for the upcoming week.
Today, Friday, June 9th
⚾: 12:00pm ET (9:00am PT) - Duke Blue Devils vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Duke’s Hometown Broadcast on SXM 371.
⛳: 12:00pm ET (9:00am PT) - PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open Second Round.
SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio on SXM 92.
⚾: 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT) - Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. Oregon Ducks
Oregon’s Hometown Broadcast on SXM 373.
Tomorrow, Saturday, June 10th
🏎️: 8:25am ET (5:25am PT) - 24 Hours of Le Mans at the France Circuit de la Sarthe.
SXM 202.
⚾: 12:00pm ET (9:00am PT) - Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue Devils
Duke’s Hometown Broadcast on SiriusXM College Sports Radio - SXM 84.
⛳: 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT) - PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open Third Round.
SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio on SXM 92.
⚾: 3:00pm ET (12 Noon PT) - Kentucky Wildcats vs. LSU Tigers
LSU’s Hometown Broadcast on SiriusXM College Sports Radio - SXM 84.
⚾: 6:00pm ET (3:00pm PT) - Texas Longhorns vs. Stanford Cardinal
Texas’ Hometown Broadcast on SiriusXM College Sports Radio - SXM 84.
🏇: 6:30pm ET (3:30pm PT) - The Final Triple Crown Race of the Year (no Triple Crown winner this year though): the 155th Belmont Stakes from New York State.
FOX Sports on SXM 83.
🏁: 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT) - NASCAR Xfinity Series: DoorDash 250 from Sonoma Raceway.
SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on SXM 90.
⚾: 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) - Oregon Ducks vs. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
Oregon’s Hometown Broadcast on SiriusXM College Sports Radio - SXM 84.
Sunday, June 11th
⛳: 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT) - PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open Final Round.
SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio on SXM 92.
🏁: 3:30pm ET (12:30pm PT) - NASCAR Cup Series: Toyota Save Mart 350 from Sonoma Raceway.
SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on SXM 90.
This week’s Driver2Driver in-race car audio channels are (online only)…
Kyle Larson - #5 on SXM 980.
Martin Truex Jr. - #19 on SXM 981.
Daniel Suarez - #99 on SXM 982.
As I write this to you, I’m done curating this at 2:00am ET after having worked on it for the past four hours on a body that’s been awake for 21 straight hours. Yeah… I’m very uber-tired and need some sleep, PRONTO. That’s what I’ll do to catch some zzzzzzz’s 😩😫🥱. So I’ll make this part quick…
Have a great weekend.
SeriousXM is a newsletter service of TheRolyPoly Productions.
