Poll for XM Subscribers only please - Ed Schultz or Thom Hartmann?

[XOKCowboy]

I sent a letter to XM radio complaining about replacing Thom Hartmann's show on Air America Radio with Ed Schultz. I mean it really sucks now when I travel with my XM. Not only do I have to listen to the insipid Lionel in the morning (not XM's fault and I've let AAR know of my displeasure with his replacing Sam) but instead of Thom I get Ed Schultz in Al's old time slot! Below is XM Radio's reply. It begins with the usual thank you for contacting us, your opinion is important, yada yada and then this...

Due to the recent changes with Air America's programming, Al Franken has
decided to leave the network and pursue other ventures. Air America has
replaced Al Franken with Thom Hartmann on their terrestrial radio
network. In place of Al Franken, XM has decided to bring back the Ed
Schultz show weekdays LIVE from 12p-3p ET with replays at midnight ET.
XM put Ed Schultz in this time slot due to the fact that he has a
passionate fan base among our subscribers (emphasis mine).


Ed Schultz was the first progressive talker on the XM lineup when he
launched his show in January of 2004. When Air America launched two
months later as America Left we continued to air Ed Schultz weekdays as
a supplement to the 24/7 Air America lineup. We are proud to welcome
him back to the XM Nation live each weekday from 12-3PM ET. XM
continues to be supportive of Air America broadcasting 21 hours of
content and is the exclusive satellite radio provider of their
progressive talk shows.

We currently are airing the Best Of Thom Hartmann Saturdays from 6a-9a
ET and Sundays from 10a-1p ET. The daily replays of Thom's show will be
airing soon from Midnight to 3a ET.

We do use subscriber feedback and e-mail as a part of our decision
making process when making these programming changes. I apologize that
you are not pleased with this decision. Please don't hesitate to
contact me directly in the future if you have questions or need
additional information on XM's talk programming.

Thanks,
The XM Programming Team

Note that XM thinks that Ed has a "passionate fan base" among their subscribers. I was just wondering what DU members who have XM think of that decision. I'd like to ask that only XM subscribers vote in the poll but feel free to comment if you're not a subscriber.

The question for XM subscribers is simple. Who do you prefer in Al's old time slot? Thom Hartmann or Ed Schultz?

[tridim]

1. Easiest poll ever! Thom. nt

[XOKCowboy]

2. My thoughts also.

What's funny is that if I'm in Denver I have to listen to the local AAR affiliate for Thom in the morning then switch to XM to hear Randi in live (the local has Big Eddie instead of Randi). The things we do for our progressive radio. :shrug:

[Maat]

4. I'm not an XM subscriber, so I didn't vote, but I'm in the same boat.

I'm with Sirius. I enjoy listening to the local program, Stacey Taylor and Co., before Thom, on KLSD 1360 San Diego, since Sam is no longer on - in any case. Then I listen to the initial hour of Thom on Sirius. Then I switch to either KLSD or NovaM (streaming) for the other two Hartmann hours.

[tridim]

10. Yep, I'm in Denver and do much the same.

AM760 for Jay and Thom in the AM, then switch to the online AAR stream for Randi at 1:00, then switch again to the online NovaM stream at 7:00pm for Malloy.

It's a skill chasing down all the good progressive radio shows. RW'ers have it way too easy.

[XOKCowboy]

11. Jay Marvin......

When Sam was on AAR and XM I always tried to listen to him but Jay Marvin beats the heck out of Lionel any day.

We'll figger this radio stuff out one of these days! :)

[hlthe2b]

16. Ditto.. Glad the Boulder affiliate was smart enough to go with Thom

But, since I'm paying for XM, it irks me they are not going with the full AAR schedule on the AAR channel. Especially to pick Schultz over Hartman...

I'm not advocating for Ed Schultz NOT to be on--different strokes for different folks and all that. Just not on 167.

[hlthe2b]

3. If XM is so determined or committed to have Schultz...

why can they not broadcast on another channel other than 167 AAR... For heavens sakes they have both FOX TALK Channel AND Talk Right, yet we on the left get AAR 167 period.

I'm pretty neutral on Ed Schultz-- I know he has a following. But, he doesn't want to be on AAR and he shouldn't be.
Give us Thom Hartman, who with his calm intelligence and dignity will bring an incredible new listening audience to both AAR and XM.

[Pale Blue Dot]

5. I'm cancelling my XM in part due to Schultz.

I wasn't a huge fan of Hartmann (I find him a little dry, and I don't like the airtime he gives to conservatives), but he is miles better than Schultz.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. I canceled too after they replaced Sam Seder with LIONEL (puke) and got rid of Mike Malloy.

I have XM for another month and then I'm finished with AAR. If anyone wants to buy 2 XM receivers and 2 boom boxes...PM me.:)

[XOKCowboy]

9. I really hate to cancel....

I have to drive frequently though Mt, Nv, Ks, Ut, Wy, Ne. Not a lot of stimulating radio out there and XM still has CSPAN, Top Tracks, Willie's Place, XMPublic Radio, etc.

I just think that if they're gonna call it Air America they ought to use AAR programming!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. Thom is a real scholar.

I can't get ANY liberal radio in Houston, the 4th largest city in the country, other than Pacifica where I get Beeb news and Amy Goodman, so I have to have XM to get Air America.

ARGGHHH!!!

[XOKCowboy]

12. I feel your pain. It must be rough in Houston...

I just learn more from Thom's shows than I do from Big Eddie's. Thom has the Progressive Movement at heart and it just seems to me that Big Eddie is out only for Big Eddie. I don't listen to AAR as much to be entertained as to be educated.

OK and Ed's voice and laugh really grate on me.

[shenmue]

8. I have XM, but I don't like either of those people.

I listen to AAR for Randi and Rachel. That's it.

[XOKCowboy]

13. Thanks for everyone's replies and votes...

It seems many think as I do. Maybe I'll forward this thread to "The XM Programming Team".

[marmar]

14. Thom Fucking Hartmann, no fucking contest!!!!!!

I almost cancelled my XM subscription when they announced Ed Shultz was taking over that slot - I'd gone to the website and logged on to my account .... Ring of Fire, Sam Seder and Thom Hartmann's weekend rebroadcasts (along with Air Musique and The Joint) were the only things that made me reconsider.

[vogonity]

15. I never listen to XM ch 167 until 3pm now.

I love Randi & Rachel though.

[TheUnspeakable]

17. I want Thom!!

I called and emailed when they started this, but to no avail. To those cancelling XM-Nova M is supposed to be on XM-at some point. First they announced it would be last March, then it got changed to May, now it says "coming soon" ???

[Liberal In Texas]

18. I've sent XM e-mails, but it was pretty apparent that their minds were made up

before Frankin left to run his campaign. I would much rather have Thom than Ed.

Ed's a wheeler-dealer, and who knows what kind of kick-back he offered them to carry his show.

If I'm next to a computer I listen to Thom, but most of the time I'm out going to or from a job, and more and more I'm listening to XM-133, XMPR, instead of Ed. (Or Lionel, for that matter, but that's another story.)