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XM Satellite Radio channel history

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This is a list of former channels on XM Satellite Radio, in addition to information on format changes of existing channels. Also included is information on temporary channels and seasonal channels.

Format Changes and History

These XM channels still exist on the lineup, but have made changes to its presentation method or playlist.

  • Fuego - Was Spanish Hits until August 14, 2005. This channel titled Alegria until April 17, 2006.
  • Sunny - Simulcasted WLTW in New York City, New York until December 1, 2003. Formerly titled Lite. Its format was Beautiful Music until May 1, 2006 when it changed to Nostalgic Music. Sunny again changed to AM Gold music in June 2006.
  • Highway 16 - Was 90s and 2000s Country on channel 15 until December 1, 2003. Formerly titled Highway 15.
  • KISS - Simulcasted KIIS-FM/KVVS in Los Angeles, California until December 1, 2003. Flipped to hits of the 90s and today in June 2006.
  • Mix - Simulcasted KHMX in Houston, Texas until December 1, 2003. Changed again May 1, 2006 to play wider array of hit music from 1970s onward.
  • Nashville - Simulcasted WSIX in Nashville, Tennessee until December 1, 2003. Formerly titled WSIX.
  • The Verge - Was Unsigned Artists until November 17, 2005. It is now a channel programmed by Canadian Satellite Radio. Its original name was Unsigned, and after that, (un)Signed.
  • Top Tracks - Played Classic Rock until shifting to Early Classic Rock on March 1, 2006. Later Classic Rock was spun off into Big Tracks.
  • XM Live - Was Live Musical Performances.

Former Stations

These channels are no longer part of the XM platform.

  • BET Uptown (XM62) - Urban Adult Contemporary station from BET. Brought in-house and changed to Suite 62.
  • C|Net Radio (XM130) - Was news and information regarding technology. (Removed on 2/1/04)
  • C-Wave (XM105) - Outsourced Chinese language music channel. Was deleted when XM decided to move more programming in-house. (Removed on 8/26/02.)
  • CNNfn (XM128) - Complete coverage of business news. The network was shut down in 2002. (Removed on 12/2/02.)
  • CNN/Sports Illustrated (XM141) - Sports News and In-Depth Features. The network was shut down on May 15, 2002. (Removed around 5/12/02)
  • USA Today (XM121) - News from USA Today and its staff in collaboration with XM. (Removed on 12/2/02.)
  • Discovery Channel Radio (XM161) - Discovery Channel programming. Originally programmed 24/7, then during nights and weekends. (Was removed on 9/1/05)
  • Babble On (XM168) - Talk channel geared towards teenage audience, deleted for low listenership. One of the first programming casualties of XM. (Removed on 12/2/02.)
  • Playboy Radio (XM205) - Premium channel provided by Playboy for an extra $4.99 a month. Was deleted due to low subscription turnout. (Added to lineup on 8/26/02. Removed on 9/1/05.) It has now resurfaced on Sirius Satellite Radio. It is available without an additional fee, but subscribers must "opt in" to receive the channel.
  • MTV Radio (XM155) - MTV audio simulcasts and pop hits. Also included Headbangers Ball and various MTV award shows. (Original channel that was on 25. Moved to 155 on 2/1/04. Removed from satellite lineup on 9/30/05.)
  • VH1 Radio (XM156) - VH1 audio simulcasts and pop hits. Also included Behind the Music. (Original channel that was on 24. Moved to 156 on 2/1/04. Removed from satellite lineup on 9/30/05.)
  • Buzz XM (XM166) - Hot Talk station provided for Clear Channel terrestrial talk shows, renamed "America Right" to complement Air America (originally callled "America Left" but changed when Air America signed an exclusive deal with XM) (Was removed on 4/5/04)
  • XM News (XM120) - In-house news service. Third party channels defeated its purpose. (Was removed on 8/26/02.)
  • Tejano (XM93) - Tejano music channel owned and produced by Univision. When XM went to commercial free music, Univision pulled out.
  • Radio Taj (XM104) - Outsourced Indian language music channel. Was deleted when XM decided to move more programming in-house. (Removed on 8/26/02.)
  • Red Cross Radio (XM248) - A temporary channel used to aid victims of the Hurricane Katrina crisis.
  • NASCAR 2 (XM145) - Second NASCAR channel for pit crew audio. Added on 9/4/04. This station ended after the 2005 racing season and has not returned.
  • FIFA World Cup 2006 (XM148) - Was the home for english World Cup Soccer Commentary and Play-by-Play. Added on 3/24/06. This station left the day after the completion of the 2006 World Cup. (Removed on 7/10/06.)
  • Ngoma (?) - "World" music.

Channels cancelled before launch

  • XM announced in April 2006 that in late spring/early summer six regional News & Talk channels (XM 134-XM 139) would be added and provide regional news coverage for every area of the continental US These channels were to have been provided by Clear Channel Communications and were to have been located in "Regional News, Talk & Music Channels." According to Jon Zellner via a subscriber email [1], Clear Channel decided to forego the launch of these channels. The category still exists for the 5 music channels and WLW. The original plan was to create a set of regionalized, five-minute newscasts. Each newscast was to carry 90 seconds of advertising, with the 3:30-minute balance devoted to regionally targeted news.

The channels were to be titled:

    • Northeast News and Talk
    • Southeast News and Talk
    • Midwest News and Talk
    • Middle America News and Talk
    • Southwest News and Talk
    • Northwest News and Talk

Channels of unknown status

  • XM Announced in 1/31/06 that they would be adding Traffic & Weather channels for Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver-Boulder, Milwaukee-Racine, Portland, Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, Sacramento, San Antonio and Wilmington, DE to their NavTraffic product during the first quarter 2006. NavTraffic requires a subscription separate from the regular XM service. More information can be found here. Rumors are reporting that a Traffic & Weather station could be dropped for Cincinnati due to the recent addition of WLW on XM channel 173.

Seasonal

These channels are season and holiday based, and are only around for a part of the year. It is not uncommon that they take the place of an existing channel.

  • Holly - Holly is one of XM's annual month-long holiday channels that plays all the holiday musical hits. Its playlist is similar to what one would find on an FM Adult Contemporary station that has switched to Christmas music.
  • Holiday Traditions - Another one of XM's holiday channels, Holiday Traditions focuses on more holiday standards music.
  • Nashville Christmas - This temporary XM holiday channel featured country themed Christmas music.
  • A Classical Christmas - This XM holiday channel played classical music with a Christmas theme. If this channel returns in 2006, it's assumed that it will be presented in XM HD Surround, since it replaces XM Pops. This channel is titled XMas Pops on the XM satellites.
  • Special Xmas - The most unique of XM's holiday channels, Special Xmas features novelty holiday music. From songs by the likes of Alvin and the Chipmunks and Barney, to the more grown-up xL tastes from punk rock bands. Special X also plays this channel online and on DirecTV.
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