XM + Opie and Anthony Suspension

As a "lurker" of many blogs and boards, I am not one to be out-spoken about a specific topic. This departure from my standard online personality is completely based on a single topic, but hopefully I will find some constructive outlet of mental energy by utilizing this blog. So without further ado, I present my thoughts on the XM Opie and Anthony Suspension.

May 17, 2007

There are three things that had driven me to cancel my account yesterday:

After three years of being a somewhat satisfied customer of the XM service, I have come to appreciate it for only four things: Opie and Anthony, Ronnie B and Mr. W, Electronic Music, and sports.

After the CBS/XM deal to have Opie and Anthony move to FM radio in Detroit (FM97.1), I was debating the value of having XM. Music is downloadable and sports can be found on AM radio or 97.1 depending on the venue, so where does that leave the value of my $12.00 per month. Just talk radio. Strike one to XM.

After three years of listening to the various music channels on XM, I believe that my taste of music is not well represented. No one channel has become my favorite and no one channel can be left on my radio during a 3 hour drive. Being 26 years old, I enjoy a mixture of college jam bands, 90's grunge, new alternative, and some mainstream music. (I do loathe current pop radio!) So, there is not much there for me besides Lucy, which I find annoying 30% of the time. The count is now 0-2.

Finally, the crux of what I believe caused me to cancel my subscription even after being offered 3 months free: XM Radio has been advertised as a sanctuary for free speech. The comments made by a HOMELESS PERSON were completely offensive to those who are not fans of the Opie and Anthony show, but how can anyone punish Opie and Anthony on a channel where "anything goes" for a guest who had no script. If FM had done something about this I would have understood, but for XM to believe that they need to take action to protect the upcoming merger of XM + Sirius from anti-trust issues is just completely absurd. Strike three, your out XM.

I have heard ranging reports of cancellations from 15,000 to 35,000 subscriptions which should affect XM's bottom line and hurt the merger more than leaving the guys on the air with just a verbal warning. I am upset with Opie and Anthony for making a public apology, as I believe it has brought more press attention to a situation that would have gone away rather quickly.

Sorry to say, but my next car will not be GM just so I can avoid XM.

Comment 2: Ron and Fez are by far my favorite talk radio hosts, and I hope they are syndicated to 97.1 as they are currently doing afternoons for FM radio in NY. I will miss you boys.