Opie And Anthony suspended from XM, most likely fired...

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Really blows if you're a serious fan of the show. CBS will still be airing their 3 hour show but their XM gig is done.

O & A

Press Release:

WASHINGTON and NEW YORK, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM Radio announced today that the company has suspended Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia, hosts of "The Opie & Anthony Show" and ceased broadcast of the show for 30 days, effective immediately.

XM Radio deplored the comments aired on "The Opie & Anthony Show" last week. At the time, the company strongly expressed its views to Opie and Anthony, and they issued an immediate apology.

Comments made by Opie and Anthony on yesterday's broadcast put into question whether they appreciate the seriousness of the matter. The management of XM Radio decided to suspend Opie and Anthony to make clear that our on-air talent must take seriously the responsibility that creative freedom requires of them.

As a company, XM provides customers with tools to control what they listen to on XM. "The Opie & Anthony Show" appears on one of XM's explicit language channels (XL). Whenever a radio is tuned to an explicit language channel, the letters "XL" continuously appear on the screen. XM frequently mentions on its explicit language channels that the content may be inappropriate for certain listeners and tells how to "block" channels that feature this type of content. Channel blocking is available through xmradio.com or by calling 1-800-XMRADIO.

Controverstial Comments Work Safe

****NOT WORK SAFE******

[Chadd 916]

People actually listen to these morons?

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

People actually listen to these morons?

As oppossed to what?

[Vapor 0]

People actually listen to these morons?

They suuuuure do.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

People actually listen to these morons?

Totally agree. Can't believe they're still around, but hey...

[Vapor 0]

Whats wrong with them? While they have gone down hill lately, they do some compelling radio. How much have you guys listened to them to have made this opinion?

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Most of their critics get their opinions from CNN, Foxnews or MSNBCs sensationalistic broadcasting. O & A didn't even make the comment, a homeless guest did. Secondly, its on XM Satelite Radio. Its the HBO of radio, not to mention its an XL channel on XM. Which means the channel can be blocked by anyone with a simple phone call to XM.

Only reason it isn't headline news right now is because Jerry Falwell passed away. Apparently we need to step away from our lives and mourn the life of one of the biggest hypocrites in the world while we lose our right to free speech on a daily basis.

[nyhockey6 1]

I never could get into them, my buddies used to talk about them all the time and play tapes of them in the car as we would go to our hockey games. Personally I think the whole "Shock Jock" genre is gone, Stern is a shell of what he used to be and now these 2 idiots (and I call them idiots for the sex stunt they pulled in the church and now this) are going downhill really fast.

[Chadd 916]

Most of their critics get their opinions from CNN, Foxnews or MSNBCs sensationalistic broadcasting. O & A didn't even make the comment, a homeless guest did. Secondly, its on XM Satelite Radio. Its the HBO of radio, not to mention its an XL channel on XM. Which means the channel can be blocked by anyone with a simple phone call to XM.

Only reason it isn't headline news right now is because Jerry Falwell passed away. Apparently we need to step away from our lives and mourn the life of one of the biggest hypocrites in the world while we lose our right to free speech on a daily basis.

First rule in broadcasting YOU are responsible for your guests. If they can't meet whatever standard has been set, you shouldn't have them on the air. I've been there and I've been reamed for having guests say "naughty" things, though I did manage to avoid any fines.

The free speech argument doesn't apply, this has nothing to do with the government. Your employer can punish you for saying inappropriate things, the government can't unless you do it on public airwaves and it is obscene or profane.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Most of their critics get their opinions from CNN, Foxnews or MSNBCs sensationalistic broadcasting. O & A didn't even make the comment, a homeless guest did. Secondly, its on XM Satelite Radio. Its the HBO of radio, not to mention its an XL channel on XM. Which means the channel can be blocked by anyone with a simple phone call to XM.

Only reason it isn't headline news right now is because Jerry Falwell passed away. Apparently we need to step away from our lives and mourn the life of one of the biggest hypocrites in the world while we lose our right to free speech on a daily basis.

First rule in broadcasting YOU are responsible for your guests. If they can't meet whatever standard has been set, you shouldn't have them on the air. I've been there and I've been reamed for having guests say "naughty" things, though I did manage to avoid any fines.

The free speech argument doesn't apply, this has nothing to do with the government. Your employer can punish you for saying inappropriate things, the government can't unless you do it on public airwaves and it is obscene or profane.

I totally agree on the guest issue. I just don't believe the facts are being led on by most news agencies. O & A didn't make the comments and they didn't even apologize. They read XMs apology live and Fox News mistook that as a formal apology from the boys.

Regardless, I believe its a free speech issue.

Its unbelievable that a small minority of people can bring a radio show loved by millions to its knees. Special interest groups are killing this country, not only in entertainment but in politics too.

I know its up to the discretion of the company but its getting ridiculous. This country is heading in a scary direction...

[Chadd 916]

Regardless, I believe its a free speech issue.

Believe whatever you want but you're not right.

[starscream 0]

Regardless, I believe its a free speech issue.

Believe whatever you want but you're not right.

You're not even in this country.... what gives? How can you say that?

[Drewhunz 3]

Since when is PA not part of America?

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

Chadd moved to Aruba. Didn't you know? LOL

[mack 44]

I'm giving all the retards we have on-board here now a slow clap. You deserve it kids, you really do.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd moved to Aruba. Didn't you know? LOL

I wish I could still have that view out my back door. I'm working on raising some money to build a rink and start the national hockey program.

[Miserable 6]

Not really a free speech issue at all. They were fired from a private company for not meeting that company's standards, the government had no hand in this issue.

If you are a fan of O&A or Stern you know the real reason behind the firing is the merger between the companies and the History between the shows and the new Sirius management. It's pretty lame but you knew something was going to happen to them before or right after the merger. My only issue is call it what it is; a quick opening to get rid of them to make Stern and co happy with the new merger.

XM is going to hurt themselves with this since O&A's channel was the highest rated channel they have and their fans are pretty rabid so I can see them losing a decent chunk of subs over this move.

[Jason Harris 31]

They weren't fired. They were suspended for 30 days: article.

What's interesting is one of paragraphs illustrates this isn't about free speech (per the legal definition). Apparently, O&A claimed FCC laws allowed them to say what they did, but said that XM's "dumb rules" did not. XM used their lack of contrition as reason to suspend them, although the article said some analysts think XM is making a public showing of discipline in an attempt to gain approval for the merger.

Personally, from the few times I've heard them, I think they take a funny concept but push the envelope too far and lose the humor. Is it amusing to have a homeless guy give political commentary that the Secretary of State is uptight and needs extracurricular activities to relax? Sure. Is it funny when the political commentary is the Queen lost the war and is a horse-faced old woman? No.

[Miserable 6]

They were fired after a meeting about the suspension. It's being reported on all of their fan sites. I won't link any due to the content on some but you can get to them from their homepage.

[Vapor 0]

It IS about free speech, but not from a government level. Satellite radio claimed that it gave everybody the right to say whatever they wanted. It was suppose to be a place where you could say whatever you want... BUT, they are a public company and they are at the service of their share holders.

One Theory on why they did this is because in about a month congress is voting on a bill on whether The FCC should police Sat. Radio or not. They want to prove that they can police themselves.

[chippa13 1844]

They haven't been good since they got kicked off WAAF in Boston.

[Vapor 0]

listened to them since?

[chippa13 1844]

Yes, for a while they were syndicated on another station in the area.

[starscream 0]

It IS about free speech, but not from a government level. Satellite radio claimed that it gave everybody the right to say whatever they wanted. It was suppose to be a place where you could say whatever you want... BUT, they are a public company and they are at the service of their share holders.

One Theory on why they did this is because in about a month congress is voting on a bill on whether The FCC should police Sat. Radio or not. They want to prove that they can police themselves.

BINGO.

I'm giving all the retards we have on-board here now a slow clap. You deserve it kids, you really do.

insightful post, no wonder they made you a mod. ;)

[mack 44]

No one made me anything and thank you for clarifying what side of the fence you're on.