Satellite Should Capitalize on WalMart’s Censorship
Green Day, a popular band with a huge following, recently got into a bit of a debate with WalMart. The result was that Green Day’s newest album, 21st Century Breakdown, will not be seen on the shelves of Wal Mart, the worlds largest retailer.
WalMart was willing to sell the album, but wanted wanted an edited version that “cleaned up” language and content. To their credit, Green Day refused and WalMart will not carry the album at all. Green day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated;
“Wal-Mart’s become the biggest retail outlet in the country, but they won’t carry our record because they wanted us to censor it. They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there. We just said no. We’ve never done it before. You feel like you’re in 1953 or something.”
WalMart’s move is something that Sirius XM should capitalize on. In the past Sirius XM has had special artists weekends or even channels. Artist weekend oft coincide with the release of an album. Sirius XM should consider a Green day weekend. They can highlight the fact that Sirius XM Radio is a safe haven for artists to express themselves through their music, as well as the fact that listeners do not have to be subjected to a watered down version of a song or an album.
Even if a Green Day special is not in the cards, Sirius XM can still capitalize on what has transpired with WalMart. DJ’s should make mention of the event prior to playing Green Day songs from the album. With DJ’s speaking out about the issue, the perceived value of SDARS goes up in the mind of the subscriber. Satellite radio is all about commercial free music and no censorship. The company needs to capitalize on this whenever possible.
Position: Long Sirius XM Radio, None WalMart.
BRILLIANT ARTICLE. Too bad SiriusXM has no clue what to do, or how to “capitalize” on anything.
But, how many XM/ Sirius radio units does Walmart sell? Would mentioning Walmart’s censorship of artist’s on an XM/ Sirius radio show jepordize the the placement of these radios on Walamart’s shelves? I don’t agree with Walmart’s censorship, but the radio sales should be a consideration.
ABSOLUTELY! Censorship is un-american. SXM is a safe haven for artists.
I have noticed many artist interviews where the artists are shocked when they get to play their original content on the air at SXM studios.
Then they get real comfortable and the interviews get “REAL”
SXM is a blessing for the music lover…
Great ideas, but they should have been working on a Green Day weekend before this Wal Mart thing. Also, I would think SiriusXM would want to be very careful about calling out WalMart for censorship (DJ’s making mention of it) when WalMart sells SiriusXM hardware.
Tyler,
Honestly, and with all due respect you’re are wasting your time in suggesting SIRI Marketing Department need to Capitalize/Leverage on the censorship issue with Walmart. Look at the number of Suggestions,Free Advise/Consulting that you and many other serious contributors to this Post/Blog and all of the others that have been posted for the past 18 months plus, and have you or anyone else seen Real Action taken by the company. I’ wonder if their investor relations department is a Virtual one. I would like to hear from anyone out there if you have spoken witrh their Marketing, Investor Relations or any Department for that matter that deals with opportunities that SIRI could have Capitalized/Leveraged to their advantage in the past.
Question: Why waste money on marketing? If a bigger company with better name “brand recognition” is already in the cards. Yes speculation but Sirius is getting ready for a buy out. My personal opinion, I believe very soon many shares holders will finally get their pay day! I guess we will just have to wait and see!
Getting ready for a buyout? I think the timing would have been better when their shareprice was in the toilet and they were willing to sell their soul for a few bucks… which is why they had to take the Liberty deal. IMO, they are in the most unlikely spot for a buyout, unless someone like Apple/MSFT who has a lot of cash, is willing to fork up a lot for long-term profits.
I was almost positive when the share price was sub 10 cents that Apple and several others were making offers, but looks like that didn’t happen. If they didn’t want it when it was a super-bargin, why would they want it now?
Hitler censored what his people read and heard too. If parents (are their any left?) are concerned about what is in your album then they need to encourage their children to listen to other things until they are mature enough to have your music.
Thanks for preserving freedom of speech and not buckling to the almighty Wal Mart dollar.
At .36 cents, it still not a bad “buy out” share price the next couple of weeks will be interesting.
I agree that its still a “bargin” at $0.36. I just think if someone was remotely intrested, they would have tried to snag it at $0.05 – $0.10. Now they would have to offer much more, and either buyout Liberty’s stake, or make them a great deal.
This is the reason a buyout is unlikey.
Right now SIRI’s biggest asset is 6 billion in carry forward losses that will offset 6 billion in profit from a tax standpoint. If there is a change of control, those carry forward losses are taken away.
Liberty gets to enjoy the benefits of these carryforwards, but a new suitor would not.
This is why liberty insisted on a poison pill.
This is the same Sirius that got rid of their fantastic punk channel after the merger, telling subscribers to turn to Faction instead. Faction?? Really, that’s your answer??? Faction???? Please.
LOVE Green Day and 21st Century Breakdown – would be overjoyed to get them & the punk channel reinstated.
Good for Wal-Mart!!!