EXCLUSIVE: Radio One to sever ties with XM

Jan. 1, 2008, 6:20 p.m. - Radio One next week will end its more than six-year relationship with XM Satellite Radio.

Lee Michaels, national program director for Syndication One News/Talk and XM 169, told Redding News Review that Washington, D.C.-based XM will take over programming at Black-oriented talk Channel 169 The Power on Tuesday.

“It has nothing to do with the programming, it has nothing to do with the people that work here,” Michaels said. “It was strictly a business decision.”

He said Lanham, Md.-based Radio One had not made money on advertising for the joint venture with XM, where the chief focus is selling subscriptions.

Radio One has been selling stations in non-core markets and blames "a challenging radio industry environment," for a 40.2 percent decline in third-quarter earnings.

Redding News Review first reported in October that changes were forthcoming at XM 169. (See story)

The new arrangement means all of the weekend talent at the channel and all weekday programming after 4 p.m. is scheduled to be suspended, Michaels said.

Shows featuring Al Sharpton, Joe Madison and Warren Ballentine will remain on the network until further notice, he said.

XM 169 could not be immediately reached for comment.

“GW on the Hill” will be moved to WOL-AM in Washington, D.C., he confirmed.

On-air talent at XM 169 the Power were told of the change in programming during a Friday conference call.

Redding News Review, which is owned by Redding Communications, Inc., is heard on XM 169.