Beech Tree News Network

Changing The Channel

Wednesday November 3, a change will have taken place for SiriusXM.  “Same awesome programming, different home”, SiriusXM says.  Although, that’s not entirely true, as SiriusXM Love will become an online-only offering, at channel 708.  A flurry of shifts will have occurred by the time you read this.  The Pulse (formerly channel 15) will be at channel 5.  The Coffee House (formerly channel 14) will be at channel 6.  Siriusly Sinatra (formerly channel 71) can now be found at channel 70.  40’s Junction (formerly channel 73) will be at channel 71.  On Broadway (formerly channel 72) will now be found at channel 77.  Kidz Bop (formerly channel 77) will be channel 79. 

The biggest moves will be the rebranding of a few channel names.  ‘50’s on 5 will now be ‘50’s Gold and will be on channel 72.  60’s on 6 will be rebranded 60’s Gold. Their new home will be channel 73.  70’s on 7 remains at channel 7.  The remaining decade-specific channels remain (80’s on 8, 90’s on 9, etc.).  Channel presets on SiriusXM radio should automatically change, the satellite radio company says.  (www.rbr.com)

NBC Sports Audio moves from 211 to 85.  Caliente moves from 158 to 151.  CBS Sports Radio moves from 206 to 158.  SportsGrid moves from 204 to 159.  (www.radioInsight.com)

My favorite station, Little Steven’s Underground Garage, stays at channel 23 but Steven Van Zandt has another channel upcoming.  In addition to Underground Garage and Outlaw Country, Steven introduces Coolest Songs In The World at channel 723.  Are you confused yet? Me too.  When I first heard of these changes late last week, I immediately asked why.  They’ve done this before.  There used to be a channel called Utopia.  They moved that music to Studio 54 Radio.  (www.siriusxmcommunications.com)   Seems they do it just to shake things up.  Good to know.

Your radio presets should automatically change when you start your car.  Basically, the listener shouldn’t have to do anything out of the ordinary.  That’s good to know.  I was envisioning having to look all over the place for my favorites.  I’d say if you have an Alexa, forget about saying “Alexa, play SiriusXM 60’s on 6” and say “Alexa, play 60’s on SiriusXM.  It’ll take a little getting used to.    Shouldn’t be too bad, though.  The more things change, right?