Sirius XM Pulls the Plug on BBC Radio 1
Although it has not officially been announced by Sirius XM, it has recently been confirmed that BBC Radio 1 has been dropped from the Sirius XM lineup. After their six year run, a recent announcement from the press office of BBC Worldwide confirms the fans worst fears.
“The BBC’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has been in partnership with SIRIUS Satellite Radio to broadcast Radio 1 on their main network, since 2005. This agreement has now unfortunately come to an end and BBC Worldwide are in current discussions with the satellite radio station to find ways to continue to bring popular music channel, BBC Radio 1, to the US audience. We will keep you posted.”
For the past 24 hours my inbox has been overflowing with irate fans who simply wanted an explanation or a little warning. Those same fans have since brought the fight to both twitter (#bringbackBBCR1) and the Sirius XM Facebook page (almost all the comments) to voice their displeasure. The good news here (if you believe the press release) is that all hope is not lost.
Obviously you can’t keep everyone happy all the time but, a little heads up to those loyal subscribers who were completely confused when they flipped on their Sirius XM radios on Monday morning, might have been nice. This isn’t the first time fans have had to tune in to learn their favorite station has been taken off the air but, I do hope it is the last.
cant believe no more Moyles in the morning.
customer service have no clue why the service has been cancelled and am still waiting for a reply to my email of tuesday last week which was promised within 3 business days.
will be cancelling all 4 subscriptions the family has unless they reverse their decision.
This makes me very sad too. I loved listening to Ferne Cotton in the morning on the way to work. I think I am going to cancel my XM service over this, and I have been a loyal customer for over 6 years. Too bad.
I would also like to say, that the alternatives that you have provided us are seriously subpar. The music that is offered to us on BBC Radio 1 is cutting edge, and most of the other stations may play 1 or 2 songs from time to time, 2 weeks after I hear them on BBC Radio 1. There is still a very large amount of music that never is played here in the USA, and it makes me think that XM is trying narrow down the market and not allow us the variety that I used to enjoy. The whole reason I got XM to begin with (6 +Years ago) was to avoid commercials and the same 10 songs that are played on most commercial radio. I also have to say that not only is XM becoming more repetitive, I have found these “alternative” channels on several occassions playing the exact same song on multiple channels at the exact same time. It is becoming very frustrating, and when you take away one of the only channels that has great DJs, great variety, and spankin’ new music this disappoints one of your most loyal listeners. I commute 400 miles a week for my job, and now I am seriously considering canceling my service and going back to the iPod. Thanks so much for taking this station away! Have you ever considered polling your customers to see what they want and not what meets your commercial interests? I am seriously doubting India is going to answer us on this one.
Being a British ex-pat I loved listening to BBC1 Radio – not only for the music, but also the DJ’s. I really enjoy their wit and banter and find myself laughing constantly while driving back and forth to work. I was so disappointed to find out they had been cancelled. I hope you come to a settlement soon and we can start enjoying the BBC once again.
That was one of the main reasons I had XM radio was BBC 1. I was shocked last week when it was gone. What crap.
Sadly I got XM for the bbc 1 Channel. Looks like I won’t be renewing at all.
How do I listen to BBC one on my Car radio?
This is the one radio station that actually utilize their dj’s and discuss music; give us back bbc one so I can listen in my car
I am considering cancelling Sirius over this. This was one of the only two channels on the system that I found worth listening to.
Have you all notice that Radio 1 is back on sirius? although is not in the car radios, they said that the content will only be available in the internet, Channel 812. The one that reads, limited engagements. I use the iphone app to listen to it in my car, it’a a solution so far, but they said they don’t think to return the channel to the radios any time soon.
Just cancelled my subscription…. Since the morning I got in my car, heard the recorded loop that some disco channel was replacing Moyles, Fearn, Mills, et al, I’ve been stewing over the bile and crap they serve up to appease a bunch of time warped numb skulls & red neck $41t kickers… Time to get on with my life minus the annual fee…
Some unfortunate call centre lady offered the usual, “Oh sorry to hear you’re leaving us” and a compensation of 2 months free service to listen along with the numb skulls and $41t kickers. Told her to stick it and call me when it’s returned to service… Hope my call was recorded for quality purposes
Ah that feels better!!!
My Crimbo Drive up north will be ruined this year due to not being able to laugh with the fun and festive antics that BBC radio are so good at serving up. Shame. What about radio two any chance of getting that on Sirius ? Would be very nice..