Here's Hoping XM-Sirius Merger Doesn't Continue Trend of Shrinking '80s Playlists
Now, I'm the first to say that the difference between the musical variety featured on terrestrial radio and that of satellite radio remains striking, to say the least, but I have been among those concerned that this merger might promote some of the atrophy in creativity that has plagued your average FM pop/rock radio station for years. After all, it's difficult to deny that even with the vast catalogue of '80s songs available in the Sirius/XM libraries, there are hundreds more that deserve the light of day and whose only chance to be heard lies on the shoulders of satellite radio programmers. An unfortunate trend toward homogeneity seems to accompany almost all commercial enterprises these days, but I certainly hope this merger doesn't cause the only genuine music-programming DJs left on the airwaves to rest on their expert laurels.
So, if you'll allow a brief example, when the XM/Sirius consolidated '80s music channel opts in the future for a tune from post-punk/new wave artists from the U.K., please let it be, more often than not, a selection from a band like the Undertones rather than yet another spin of Dexy's Midnight Runners' deserving but overplayed favorite, "Come on Eileen." I only hope that's not too much to ask.
Comments
The programming merger, while anticipated, is unfortunate. Fan sites from both services are pretty much disappointed with the end result.
I subscribed to Sirius for about a year before switching to XM for the last three – mainly because Sirius 1st Wave was awful. The same tracks played over and over (at times I heard the same track on the way to work, at lunch, and on the way home), with no depth to the playlist (artist or track wise).
For a fan of Classic Alternative music, Fred on XM was considerably better, playing the well known, but also going deeper into an artists catalog, and playing more rare/obscure tracks. 1st Wave is like listening to the Top 40 of Classic Alternative music.
Also, Sirius in general has a much more FM feel to it – with DJ’s talking way more than they ever did on XM, more station Id’s, and more cross channel promotion. Plus, the DJs and Ids talk over the first 5-10 seconds of every track – just like FM radio, which we are PAYING to avoid.
While Sat Radio is still worlds better than anything on the FM dials, your comment “After all, it’s difficult to deny that even with the vast catalogue of ’80s songs available in the Sirius/XM libraries, there are hundreds more that deserve the light of day and whose only chance to be heard lies on the shoulders of satellite radio programmers” is not true. These tracks are heard on a daily basis on Internet Radio Stations everywhere – tracks long forgotten by FM radio, and never remembered by Sat Radio. Internet Radio stations like Flashback Alternatives (Full disclosure – I run Flashback Alternatives as part of the 1.FM network), Generation 80s, and a host of others have playlists and libraries that can compete with and in some cases, exceed anything that Sat Radio can offer.
The only thing holding back Internet Radio is the lack of portability – and that obstacle is lessening by the day. With Wi-Fi car devices now offered by some car manufactures, high speed data services for your cell phone, and devices like the iTouch, it is becoming easier and easier to listen to Internet Radio on the go. This technology continues to improve and will become ubiquitous within the next few years.
With the ‘FM’inization’ of Sirius/XM sure to drive away listeners, and with Satellite Radio’s future already in doubt anyway (look at the massive amounts of debt being racked up), Internet Radio is and will continue to be a music fans salvation.
DJ Ed
Flashback Alternatives