XM facing subscriber, sponsor backlash over Opie & Anthony suspension
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 17th 2007 3:39PM
posted May 17th 2007 3:39PM
It looks like XM's suspension of Opie & Anthony earlier this week is causing a few more headaches than the company may have anticipated, with customers apparently canceling their subscriptions in droves and a number of sponsors now reportedly pulling their advertising. While it's not clear exactly how many customers have jumped ship, anecdotal evidence suggests that hundreds if not thousands of subscriptions have already been canceled. Orbitcast is also reporting that those trying to cancel their service are facing up to a 1.5 hour wait while they're on hold (a few have also taken the extra step of actually smashing their XM radios). The sponsors pulling out seem to be equally displeased with the move, with one of them, The Nashville Coffee Company, saying that XM "is beholden to crybaby special interest groups who cannot separate humor from reality." Of course, all of this is also happening in the midst of a little merger, although it's not clear what impact, if any, it may have on that.
[Photo courtesy of AP/KTVU, thanks Chris]
Read - Orbitcast, "XM subscribers backlash over O&A suspension"
Read - Orbitcast, "Sponsors pull advertising over O&A suspension"
[Photo courtesy of AP/KTVU, thanks Chris]
Read - Orbitcast, "XM subscribers backlash over O&A suspension"
Read - Orbitcast, "Sponsors pull advertising over O&A suspension"
Damnit! Their coffee mugs are sold out. I want one!
I bet I'm not alone...
(which is, actually, awesome)
Holy crap! I called them (Nashville Coffee Company).
I am, indeed, not alone. They are sold out of mugs because people have been buying them all for exactly the same reason I wanted one.
/and again, I don't even like O&A.
See, this is why your rantings hold no merit. I detest Hillary, as well as her stupid husband. Just because 'chances are' that 'most' women are fat hos, does not, by any means, make me one. I'm not overly sensitive, nor am I overly sensitive to 'any' criticism about women. As a matter of fact, I honestly don't get along well w/most women (and dish out my own criticisms of ones I -know- frequently), which is a plus for me in the IT industry, because I don't have to deal with the catty, manipulative ones. I also don't like chick flicks, don't like 'feminist' movements, and don't really care for shopping much. I don't even have any idea who those women you mentioned are, because [read above statements]. But I am not misogynistic just because I don't like feminists. THAT 'logic' is absurd. Any REAL man/person should be able to think and act for himself, and treat people like human beings, no matter what. Someone else's actions do not dictate your reactions; you do.
I apologized for the server issues my system had, but you had to be rude and dismissive about it. Classy.
And yes, I do know women that voted for guys because they were 'cute'. I am pretty sure most guys will not be voting for Hillary because of her hotness. But making a statement that 'all' women are sexist is pretty ironic, dontcha think?
Who cares??? 100s of cancellations?? HA!!! Where's the news int that??
Methinks those people cancelling were already switching to SIRIUS anyway....
Like Bentsen said Quayle was no Kennedy.....O&A as they may try....will never be HOWARD STERN.
Don't like it???....don't listen to it. ..or concern yourself with the content. Some people(myself included) enjoy crude humor. If ya don't like to fish...don't go fishing thats your choice, but don't punish fishermen because thats what they enjoy. Everyone should grow up and realize we live in a free society and let it be like that. I'm sure most of the bitching is coming from people who wouldn't let their poor ears hear such a show.
Everybody needs to just calm down.
Opie and Anthony will be back in 30 days, after XM takes the weak move of stashing them for 30 days to play nice w/ the FCC.
They will feel the pressure of XM subscribers and advertisers who think that free speech matters. They will be back - or so this optimist hopes.
O&A are still on CBS radio, so lucky Philadelphians and others can still hear them be funny (yes, EVEN UNDER FCC RULES).
In the meantime, I want to encourage the O&A newcomers to give a chance on Ron and Fez. Those guys are pretty damn funny.
Fire away. Peace.
O&A was my main reason for keeping XM. Screw this im going to sirius, at least they don't have censorship there.
former XM subscribers are smashing their radios en mass in protset of Opie & Anthony's suspension..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NuB6YVBjcg
Don't you know that it wasn't O&A that said it, and NO ONE ever said RAPE! That's what the News Media outlets just assume. It could have just as easy been Ruff Sex, some people are into that. Even if it RAPE is what you assume. It was a Homeless Guy Fantasy being talked about on a Comedy Show, that is ADVERTISED as UNCUT and UNCENSORED. What, is he really going to do that? No this is about it looking BAD for the Merger.
There's a lot of things I don't like people saying, but you know what, I don't care what they have to say and change the channel, Leave, or whatever. XM is a PAID service unlike Regular Radio. You can't accidentally tune it in. Not only that O&A is on a XL channel. XM Also advertises that you can have any channel BLOCKED at any time buy calling their 800 number. This isn't rocket science here. I'm Glad that some Advertisers are also taking a stand for once and supporting O&A. O&A did nothing wrong. They shouldn't have had to apologies, let alone be SECONDED to talking about it.
Why not XM just get rid of ALL of the XL channels? I hear far worse on 150 the Adult Comedy channel for example. Lots of Raciest, Sex, and worse being talked about. Lets also get rid of Shows like the Soprano's on HBO, that would be the SAME THING, were will it end? Living in a Humorless, G Rated country? Will it all just go Underground and end up far, far, far worse?
I say we should ban all Religious Stations, because they're Brainwashing people to believe in a Imaginary GOD, which has caused all kinds of so called HOLLY WARS. You have the Priests playing with little boys. Let's just BAN IT also, you may not like to see that happen, but I DO! How's that.
Banning things just works out so well doesn't it. Prohibition on Alcohol, that didn't work. The War on Drugs is a complete Failure and should just end. When it comes to free speech, so many people seem to be all for it, how sad. Slowing loosing our rights all in the name of Protecting the Children or Terrorists, or you just don't care as it doesn't concern you.
I agree that XM has set a bad precedent in Ssuspending O&A. This knee jerk reaction shows how fragile the uncensored airwaves are. To be honest the problem is that O&A have no sense. They are 2 guys that who should not be on the airwave period. XM now has to figure out what to do with this flawed show. As for comparing them to Howard Stern, the biggest difference is that Howard is a true professional who understands that even in uncensored radio there are limits. He self polices his show in a manner that is completely transparant to the listener. Yes, I will say he tiptoes that fine line between completely offensive and just crazy. O&A are just sad excuses for Radio personalities. They have horrible ratings on terrestrial radio and on SAT they are just impotent. They should be suspended for having a bad show..not for the rape comments.
Cancelled my 2 subs yesterday as well. I'm not the biggest O and A fan, but I like the channel on long drives and if I'm paying-- it should be uncensored.
Like all technology company history so far the second one to come to the market will win in the end. Microsoft comes to mind. All hail Sirius.