Continuing with its ongoing arrangement with XM to offer a few channels due to its original investment stake in the company, Clear Channel Radio is now offering up (as of Noon 6/8) five of its top stations, covering five different formats. They replace current Clear Channel programming on XM, although only one involves a change in format. These stations and 750 more are also available on CC’s iHeartRadio digital radio service.
The stations include:
KIIS-FM, a Top 40 station based in Los Angeles, CA is now simulcasting on XM Channel 11;
Z100, the nation’s largest CHR/Top 40 station based in New York City, is now simulcasting on XM Channel 12;
WLTW Lite FM, an adult contemporary station in NYC, is now simulcasting on XM Channel 13;
WSIX, a country station based in Nashville, TN is now simulcasting on XM Channel 57; and
WGCI in Chicago, an urban station, is now simulcasting on XM Channel 163.
The simulcasts will not appear on Sirius satellite radio. The previous CC-programmed channels on XM played ads (3–4 minutes an hour), and were sold by Premiere Radio Networks. They included Today’s Mix playing Hot AC; Nashville!; KISS-XM; The Music Summit; and Extreme XM.
Meanwhile, according to FCC conditions placed on the merger between Sirius and XM, in April, they provided long term leases to companies that will provide diverse programming on the SiriusXM channel lineup. According to the FCC, the winners are:
* Howard University (licensee of WHUR-FM and WHUT-TV): One channel each on Sirius and XM – Music and talk programming for the African American community; One channel each on Sirius and XM – Music and talk programming for the African American community, with programs from Historically Black Colleges and Universities
* BYU Radio (licensee of KBYU-FM and KBYU-TV): One channel each on Sirius and XM – Music and talk programming for the Mormon community
* Eventus/National Latino Broadcasting: One channel each on Sirius and XM – Spanish language talk programming; One channel each on Sirius XM – Spanish language music programming
* WorldBand Media: One channel each on Sirius and XM – Spanish language talk programming
* KTV Radio: One channel on XM – Korean language music and talk programming
RBR-TVBR observation: The deal will bring more ad revenue to both XM and Clear Channel, whereas other XM music formats do not allow spots. Simply simulcasting the stations may be a better idea for CC and terrestrial radio in general, rather than just programming a music channel. Loyal station fans will be able to hear their favorite stations across the nation, and other XM listeners will be able to hear how top big market radio is done—and how it compares to satellite.
