Oh-oh, O&A
Pittsburgh, National News: XM Satellite Radio has suspended shock-talkers Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia for 30 days, effective immediately, over a segment in which a guest (supposedly a deranged homeless man, though some reports suggest it was an act) discussed raping Condoleezza Rice, Queen Elizabeth II and other women.
According to an XM press release, "Comments made by Opie and Anthony on yesterday's broadcast put into question whether they appreciate the seriousness of the matter." (Wired magazine's Epicenter blog has speculated that XM was quick to act over fears the controversy might jeopardize its proposed merger with the competing Sirius satellite service. The merger must be approved by federal regulators.)
No word yet on what might happen to O&A's simulcast over more than 20 conventional broadcast stations, including Pittsburgh's "The Zone" WTZN-FM (93.7). The offending remarks were carried only on XM, not on the simulcast, but given how quick CBS Radio was to throw Don Imus under the bus, one suspects O&A could be the next casualty.
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“XM was quick to act over fears the controversy might jeopardize its proposed merger with the competing Sirius satellite service. The merger must be approved by federal regulators”
XM/Sirius really want to merge, but they need the Fed’s to give their blessings before it’ll happen, so standards and ideals (we’re on satelite we can do what we want – no censorship) go out the window on a whim. Once again, Money trumps all.
meanwhile…
“The offending remarks were carried only on XM, not on the simulcast, but given how quick CBS Radio was to throw Don Imus under the bus, one suspects O&A could be the next casualty.”
Nah, won’t happen O & A weren’t even suspended by CBS so I doubt they’ll be “fired” by CBS.
If XM does “fire” O & A over this, expect XM subscriber rates to start dropping as listeners/customers realize that XM satradio isn’t as wild, free and crazy as it was so hyped to be. To many, this could weaken XM’s credibility (and perhaps provide yet another “reason” for their merger with Sirius).
Richard Allen - May 16, 2007 at 11:02 am
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