XM's Big Mistake: The Suspension of Opie and Anthony

On Tuesday May 15, XM Satellite Radio announced the suspension of talk show hosts Opie and Anthony. The suspension comes in the wake of comments made by a guest by the name of Homeless Charlie. However, according to XM, the comments themselves did not cause the 30-day suspension. Rather, the suspension was caused by comments apparently made in the aftermath of Homeless Charlie's appearance on the Opie and Anthony Show.

Last Wednesday, May 9, during the portion of the Opie and Anthony Show exclusive to XM Satellite Radio, Homeless Charlie made comments of a sexual nature about Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and First Lady Laura Bush. The segment only lasted a couple of minutes, and the hosts, other guests, and even we fans found it crass, yet humorous to a degree. It's true, the comments were viewed by some as offensive and over the line. However, the show is on a pay service, not regulated by the FCC as far as content is concerned, and the channel can easily be blocked, as can XM's other explicit channels. Most people listening were paying subscribers who chose to tune in to Opie and Anthony, knowing exactly the type of show we were going to hear. It's irreverent, edgy, funny, often informative, and always entertaining.

On Friday May 11, Opie and Anthony issued an official apology before the start of their show, which airs from 6:00 AM until 9:00 AM Eastern time on both XM and several terrestrial radio outlets, originating from CBS-owned WFNY (Free FM) in New York. After 9:00 AM, the show is exclusive to XM and is uncensored, broadcast from the XM facilities in New York. After the apology, most of the fan base thought that would be the end of this issue. Unfortunately, we were wrong.

Opie and Anthony were not suspended for the comments made on Wednesday's show, but were suspended for comments made on the Monday May 14 broadcast during the simulcast between XM and terrestrial radio. XM executives felt by their comments, which you can hear at the popular satellite radio blog Orbitcast, that Opie and Anthony weren't taking the issue seriously enough, and that the 30-day suspension would serve as a reminder to Opie and Anthony and other talent that with creative freedom comes responsibility. You can read XM's statement at the company's official website, at Opie and Anthony's website, as well as several other online sources. Type in "Opie and Anthony Suspended" in your favorite search engine, and you'll likely find the press release easily.

Like most fans, I was, and still am, shocked and outraged by the suspension. While XM Satellite Radio is a private company and has the right to do as it sees fit, as a consumer who pays $19.94 per month for two radios subscribed to the service, I have a right to be angry and to demand truthful answers. Having heard the audio which caused XM's executives to order the suspension, I can't see what Opie, Anthony, or comedian Jim Norton said to cause this to happen. Unfortunately, my emails to XM execs have gone unanswered, as they've been flooded with angry messages from fellow supporters of their most popular talk duo. Opie and Anthony did not address their own issue with regard to the comments of Homeless Charlie or their apology. They talked about the state of the radio industry in general, referring to CBS's firing of Don Imus as well as JV and Elvis for things which, five years ago, wouldn't have raised an eyebrow, or at least wouldn't have been fireable offenses. They did state that some of the rules broadcasters have to follow today are less than fair and asked other broadcasters to unite with them to take on the special interests and to push radio companies to support their talent. Listen for yourself and form your own opinions.

Now, if Opie and Anthony had made disparaging comments about XM specifically, or made a mockery of the apology they were forced to give the previous Friday, I could see a suspension maybe being in order, though certainly not 30 days. XM has made a serious mistake here, and should not have taken Opie and Anthony off the air for simply stating their views, which is what talk show hosts are generally hired to do. So, essentially, XM suspended Opie and Anthony for doing exactly what they are paid to do. I firmly believe that the suspension was uncalled for, and should never have occurred. Someone had to really be reaching to find the comments from Monday's show in violation of any agreement, or as not taking the Homeless Charlie matter seriously.

Thankfully, Opie and Anthony fans are not sitting idly by while this happens. As XM is learning, Opie and Anthony fans tend to be a bit more passionate about the show than fans of other radio shows. As soon as the suspensions were handed down, Opie and Anthony fans started temporarily cancelling their XM subscriptions en masse, stating that they would be back only when Opie and Anthony are returned to the XM airwaves. Those who have cancelled feel that this is the best way to send a message, by lowering XM's subscriber numbers, thus also lowering their revenue. Fans are also writing to XM's executives, calling them relentlessly via telephone, and writing to XM's advertisers to ask them to pull their ads from XM until Opie and Anthony are put back on the air. Finally, many are writing to the FCC, their own senators and Congressional reps, and the Department of Justice in opposition to the proposed merger between XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. The thought behind this is that the merger will not be a benefit to consumers as both companies claim, but it instead would create a monopoly, giving the consumer less choice, and thus making it less necessary for the combined XM/Sirius to offer as much compelling content as they currently offer.

The fan movements are primarily being spearheaded by the unofficial Opie and Anthony message board Wackbag.com as well as members of People Against Censorship. So far, The Nashville Coffee Company and an adult toy and video shop have pulled their ads.

Hopefully, XM Satellite Radio will see the light and bring Opie and Anthony back sooner rather than later. If they don't, I can guarantee it's going to be a long month for XM executives and their staffs. Opie and Anthony fans do not go away quietly.