According to conditions of the merger between satellite audio services Sirius and XM, it is providing long term leases to companies that will provide diverse programming on the SiriusXM channel lineup. Seven of those channels have now been assigned.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski commented, “This marks a valuable step in increasing the diversity of programming available to satellite radio listeners while promoting access for new entrants and independent satellite radio programming. I applaud Sirius XM for its new line up.”
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
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn also weighed in on the announcement. She said, “I wish to congratulate the five awardees selected as qualified entities by Sirius XM. I look forward to learning more about the content they plan to offer and the exciting programming sure to come. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a long undertaking, and I’m pleased that the roadmap the Commission and Sirius XM developed has achieved fruition. We worked together to create a diligent process that enables the company to select diverse programming via a thorough and transparent application and selection regime. Through this endeavor, groups that have been historically underserved will be able to enjoy a wider variety of creative and entertaining options on a national platform, and I am looking forward to the launch of these new stations as soon as possible.”
