Fox Business Has Passionate Fans
Channel changes create all kinds of reactions. Over the past month or so Sirius XM has made channel changes and subscribers have either loved or hated the result. Among the most vocal of subscribers have been those that dislike the direction the company has taken with any particular genre or content.
More often than not there is a huge outcry of dislike immediately after the change is made, but as time passes, the outcry diminishes, and eventually simply fades away. Sure, passionate fans will continue to complain, but typically the numbers are not large enough to generate a reaction from the company. After all, and as foolish as this may sound, satellite radio, with well over 100 channels, can not make all of the people happy all of the time.
At the end of 2008, XM subscribers lost Fox Business as part of their channel line-up. Interestingly, to this day, that article is still getting regular comments from subscribers indicating how big a part of their listening day Fox Business actually is. Unlike some other comments relating to content line-up changes, the response on the Fox Business article has had a majority of comments that are well thought out and well reasoned. In most cases, the stark difference between Fox Business and rivals such as CNBC and Bloomberg seems to be in the nature of the delivery of the shows. People like Fox Business because they say it is not dry and boring, and the show gives a fresh new flavor to what many times has been a boring subject.
Cathy stated, “I am terribly disappointed that Fox Business News has been dropped. There really is nothing else like it or as good in my opinion. I listen to xm primarily for news and this channel was one of the main reasons I have an xm subscription. Please bring it back!!!”
For his Part Peter said, “I also am extremely disappointed in this move. I have been a XM sub for well… just about since it started and ever since FBN started it is/was my wake up in the morning, my drive to work, my drive home, and any other time that I was not in reach of FBN on TV. I agree with numerous other posters here that they have a great and lively group of anchors in comparison to the alternative. Find a way to bring it back!”
What we seem to have here is a network that was more popular than many realized, and something that Sirius XM should give some consideration to. I don’t know the details of what Murdoch was seeking to make the channel become a fixture on the Sirius XM dial, but clearly there are listeners to this network. When I wrote the piece, I honestly did not expect the reaction I got. Perhaps part of my surprise is the fact that as a Sirius subscriber I did not receive Fox Business, so logically can not miss something that I never had.
Understanding that all of these comments come from the XM side of the subscriber-ship demonstrates to me that the potential for double the backlash would have been heard if Sirius subscribers had had this content all along. Perhaps the Sirius side of the subscriber spectrum, who have never had a chance to compare, were missing out on something compelling that the merger could have delivered, but because of a business decision never had a chance to hear.
This story has two distinct issues. First is that it would appear that some compelling content is no longer available to listeners. Second is that we have no idea what the details of keeping Fox Business in the line-up would cost. Clearly, there are passionate fans who are looking for an answer and in hopes that Fox Business can find its way back to the line-up. Hopefully the company can offer some explanation that will allow subscribers to better understand the decision.
Position – Long Sirius XM
I’ve never listened to fox business, but my question is this: Is there a plan at SXM to offer these channels on a one by one basis? Is this what they mean by a la carte?
I know with my cable tv access I can get basically any channel known to man, I just got to pay for it. SXM should be like this too. The channel’s just floating around out there, just ask fox how much they want per subscriber, at 20% for SXM profit margin, and offer the channel. Supply and demand will ultimately control the price that fox charges and everyone will be happy.
This is part of Sirius cost cutting, they will now start the negotiations with 20 million subs and get a better deal.
Now this ass hole chimes in. Coincidence, I don’t think so. Tyler,Brandon, would like to know what you get from all of this. Where are you generating revenue from. I can’t imagine you’re doing this out of the “labor of love” for all siri stockholders. It all seems so contrived. Please, enlighten me.
Geronimo….
I am not sure who you are calling an “asshole”, but you did direct part of your comment to me, so I will answer.
1. Coincidence about what exactly? I wrote about Fox News being dropped when it happened, and have seen the comments on that subject. this piece simply takes the next natural step.
2. What do I get from this? The answer is not very much. Is it a “lobor of love”? No. Not really. The site derives revenue from a few sponsors such as TSS Radio. We also get revenue from google ad-sense (they supply most of the ads that appear on the site). The revenue generated from this site is by no means substantial.
In simple terms, I invested in the company long ago. Shortly after the recap of Sirius. I was among the first 25,000 subscribers to the service, and was a fan. As time passed, my investment into the company became substantially more valuable. I did more and more research. I sold most of my holdings on the run up after Mel was hired in 2005. I began to write about SDARS in the spring of 2006. The rest is history.
If that makes me an ass in your mind, there is nothing I can do about that. At least you now have the answers to your questions.
The fact of the matter is that Sirius XM likely does not appreciate an article such as this. Signing Fox Buisness will cost money, and the company is trying to save money.
I am so curious as to what you think is going on. Do you think every blog in the “blogosphere” is being compensated by the companies in which it writes about? There must be thousands of apple/mac blog and fan sites, in your mind, are they all getting paid off by Apple?
Also, if you think we should be getting paid off by someone, who would that be? How much should we be charging? Do you think you could broker that deal for us?
No one, and I mean, no one, watches that channel on cable. Their ratings are so small, often times the ratings don’t even register. I’m sure there are 20 or 25 people who are upset about the loss of this channel, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. I can’t believe I wasted 2 minutes of my life reading about the loss of a cable channel simulcast on XM that no one watches.
Please, there must be something better to discuss.
We have received more comments and emails about this channel being dropped then any of the others. I wish you were right but, there had to be at least 26 listeners.
FBN is the only business channel I will watch
I long since left CNBC
I was looking forward to listen on SXM
The terms must not have been favorable.
I feel its only a matter of time before they bring FBC back.
I watch FOX Bus. ch. on tv. and CNBC, primarily because of their streaming ticker, and a very little Bloomberg.
On Sirius, I listen to CNBC but probably more Bloomberg Radio as they give the index averages every ten minutes.
On radio, I would prefer to listen to FOX. CNBC has too many people on at one time and they often degenerate into a cat fight with the result you don’t hear anything. But, I would continue to listen to Bloomberg for the reason given.
Nonethless, if Mr. Murdoch want megabucks for the service, let’s wait until the SiriusXM financial condition is healthier.
I hate EVERYTHING FOXNews.. They are Not Fair nor Balanced, unless you are a right wing-nut. They are practically begging cable companies to pick them up. Save money, there is CNBC and Bloomberg radio, how many financial channels do we need? Neil Cavuto?? Blah Blah
Thanks for the excellent article, and please update us on the status of Fox Business getting back on SXM as news warrents.
Who cares if you hate foxnews. The point of satellite radio is to appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners with programming that would never be available on broadcast radio. If bandwidth is the issue, I hope they consider dropping some of the foreign language channels which have a narrow segment of potential audience.
I wish they’d bring FBN back.. I’m on the road most of the day on sales calls and regularly tuned in.. I’ll listen to Bloomberg now, but miss the delivery and humor of FBN.
No FBN? You can’t be Sirius! Sat radio is about diversity of programming and choices. Bring back FBN!
FOX Business, I hate to admit, is the BEST business news out there. Unlike other FOX exploits, it consistently delivers the news I am looking for. It is a shame that Sirius XM clearly does not take quality in to account when making these types of decisions. Tell me where to sign and I will petition for the reinstatement of FOX business.
Ok How many here work on FBN? Admit it you work for the company and are pushing a Fox product.. Maybe they should dump FoxTalk or FoxNews.. they already have two channels, three if you count Patriot.. CNBC and Bloomberg is PLENTY of financial news.. Times are tough, deal with it.
btw… Comcast in Pittsburgh is not even offering FB, and the desperate begging of Fox Business to be picked up by Neil Cavuto is shameful.
Fox Business I feel has much better money managers and far better coverage of the world economics which effect ours. Its too bad that they didn’t cancel one of the other channels that I am sure had lower listening rates! I am not going to renew my subscription.
In the words of Neil Cavuto – “I DEMAND FOX BUSINESS” on Sirius XM. Far better than CNBC or Bloomberg, plus Imus in the Morning, Varney & Company, Cavuto, Stossel, and the rest. BRING BACK FOX BUSINESS ON SIRIUS XM!!!