[Swprograms] OT: Sirius Dropping C-SPAN

[jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

I have just learned that starting tomorrow, February 14, Sirius 
Satellite Radio is dropping C-SPAN (channel 139) from its service.  A 
response to my inquiry about this matter received from C-SPAN explains 
that although C-SPAN was a charter network on the satellite service, 
it could not come to a new contract agreement with Sirius because of 
the latter's demands that C-SPAN agree to have its programming pre-
empted at will for coverage of sporting events.  In effect, Sirius 
wanted to C-SPAN to agree to become a secondary channel on its service.

The promise of satellite radio--at least the Sirius version of it--is 
rapidly fading away, in my view.  Of over 150 channels, to have one 
full time channel for the unbiased presentation and discussion of 
important public affairs events and issues should not be too much for 
a subscriber to ask.  With the loss of PRI World a few months back and 
now this, Sirius takes a further step back from providing a place for 
intelligent, thoughtful radio.  

If you are a Sirius subscriber and disagree with Sirius's stance on 
this matter, I urge you to call and/or write to them at 
customercare@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and 1-888-539-7474 and to C-SPAN at 
radio@xxxxxxxxxx   According to the CSR I spoke with at Sirius's 888 
number, they are receiving a number of calls in protest already.  The 
phone number may be the better route.  And since Sirius has yet to 
post the changes to its web site or officially notify its subscribers, 
we can only hope that this chorus increases in intensity with time.  

Of course, whether complaining will have any effect is problemmatical.

John Figliozzi
Halfmoon, NY
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