The dynamics of media are changing drastically. TiVo has changed the way we watch TV and satellite radio has changed the dial on AM/FM, maybe for good. Regardless of what you believe or don't believe relative to the staying power of satellite radio, one thing is for sure. The power the consumer now has to tune out commercials and have access to hundreds of stations cannot be understated and will likely change radio forever. There are two giants in the satellite industry. XM Radio and Sirius Satellite radio currently dominate the scene. Each boasts a steady stream of music and talk, but XM it would seem, tops out at having the most stations (including talk). Sirius has 125 while XM has 160 to their credit. Sirius is probably best known for their coup of luring Howard Stern away from traditional radio to the satellite world, but they also have Martha Stewart and several other talk programs. To compete, XM announced in 2005 that it had closed a $55 million dollar deal to get Oprah on their nationwide airwaves. "Oprah and Friends" is set to debut in September of 2006, and Good Morning America just launched the radio version of their morning show too, giving XM quite a bit of buzz. When satellite radio first came on the scene it seemed like a novelty, something that would fade in time. But now, some three years into the satellite craze the listener base seems to be widening and with more and more new cars being sold with satellite radio already built in, the choice for many is clear. Most consumers will listen to a mix of traditional and satellite radio so pitching both makes sense. How do you pitch this type of radio? The same way you'd pitch traditional radio. Listen to their show, get a sense of their format and then contact the producer or host (depending on who takes pitches). If you're not a subscriber to satellite radio and wonder how you can listen to a show you might want to check their individual web sites. Often you can subscribe to their webcasting that will allow you to listen to programming via the Internet, this way you can listen to the shows a few times without incurring the cost of the sign up and equipment. You can visit their respective websites at: www.xmradio.com and www.sirius.com. Here is a sampling of the shows on both stations that welcome pitches from authors. The XM Radio Lineup The Bob Edwards Show 1500 Eckington Pl NE, Ste 2 Washington, DC 20002-2164 Phone: (202) 380-4800 Fax: (202) 380-4801 Bob Edwards provides listeners with insightful, entertaining and provocative programming produced by some of the most respected names in public broadcasting. Partners include Public Radio International (PRI) and its station partners Chicago Public Radio and WGBH Boston; American Public Media (the production and distribution arm of Minnesota Public Radio); and Boston public radio station WBUR. This show airs daily at 8 a.m. EST and then rebroadcasts at 9 a.m. EST, 10 a.m. EST and 8 p.m. EST. Their target audience are listeners ages 18 through 34. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individual: Ms. Andy Danyo, Producer Phone: (202) 380-4822 Fax: (202) 380-4801 Email: andy.danyo@xmradio.com Pitching tips: Danyo is responsible for booking guests, conducting preliminary interviews, screening listener calls, researching show topics and reviewing all press submissions as Producer. Life Love & Health 741 Tehama St San Francisco, CA 94103-3822 Phone: (415) 663-8428 Email: info@lifeloveandhealth.com Homepage: www.lifeloveandhealth.com Life Love & Health provides health and wellness information with celebrity stories and human drama. Life Love & Health requests that those interested in the program first listen to samples at the website before submitting pitches. Their segments run 90 seconds on various channels at various times throughout the day. They do not like phone calls and strongly encourage authors to listen to the show first before pitching. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individual: Mr. Christopher Springmann, Host/Producer Phone: (415) 663-8428 Fax: (202) 380-4500 Email: info@lifeloveandhealth.com Mimi Geerges Show PO Box 267 Oakton, VA 22124-0267 Phone: (703) 251-3002 Email: info@mgshow.org Homepage: www.mgshow.org An independently produced talk radio program that features interviews with the country's leading experts, authors, scientists and entertainers. The program presents a diversity of views on a wide array of topics. It strives to provide listeners with the information and insight to form their own views and opinions. Note that their lead times for news items are often 30 days prior to the air date. The show airs on Sunday from 9 to 10 p.m. Send your press releases, books or products to the following people: Ms. Mimi Geerges, Host/Executive Producer Phone: (703) 251-3002 Fax: (202) 380-4500 Email: info@mgshow.org (m) Homepage: www.mgshow.org Ms. Doris Abdel Messieh, Producer Phone: (703) 251-3002 Fax: (202) 380-4500 Email: info@mgshow.org Homepage: www.mgshow.org The Sirius Satellite Radio Lineup The Business Shrink 999 Bayhill Dr, Ste 165 San Bruno, CA 94066-3069 www.allbusiness.com Join Peter Morris for sound advice to help your business be a success. He'll not only give you advice on business strategies, he'll offer his advice on the psychology of business. This show airs daily from 3 to 4 p.m. and covers anything related to business or finance. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individual: Mr. Peter Laufer, Executive Producer Phone: (212) 584-5100 Fax: (212) 584-5300 Pitching Tips: Lauer oversees the entire production as Executive Producer. He is also host of National Geographic World Talk on PRI. Whatever 1221 Avenue Of The Americas, Fl 26 New York, NY 10020-1001 Email: whatever@marthastewart.com While the Ask Martha show on Sirius does not accept pitches, Martha's daughter's show will. Join Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppleman Hutt for a woman's kind of talk show. They'll talk about anything and everything from books to music, from personal relationships to whatever's in the news today. Alexis' mother Martha Stewart may even join the discussion. This show airs daily from noon to 2 p.m. Send your press releases, books or products to the following individuals: Ms. Jennifer Kopplemann Hutt, Host Phone: (212) 584-5100 Fax: (212) 584-5300 Email: whatever@marthastewart.com Pitching tips: Jennifer prefers to be contacted via US Mail.
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