ATR PROGRAMMING UPDATE: 'Premier' choice reversed; Back to square one
 

Here is the good news/bad news update regarding the Sirius side of the dial with ATR. Spoke Friday with Steve Cohen, (Developer/Producer of WFAN programming early on including Francessa and Russo, etc.), who heads up Sports at the network.

There does not appear to be an immediate solution to the 10a-7p overlap issue right now on Sirius Ch. 93. They are monitoring programming to find a new home for ATR and TVG from 10a-7p, but have no room as of right now. He also offered the option of going 7-10a to be 'live' on both Sirius 93 and XM 209, but I believe that will only make things more difficult for people to listen, particularly on the West Coast.

Until the network launches their new "2.0" Internet-based option for in-car units, it appears Sirius listeners will have to catch Hours 2/3 on the replay, via SportsZone on their SmartPhones through the App, or streaming from the ATR website. Or make the switch over to XM which remains unaffected by the ESPN programming on Sirius 10a-7p.

The good news is that SiriusXM has been stunned by the reaction of angry racing fans over the pre-empting of ATR and TVG 10a-7p on Ch. 93, and pledged that racing content, including ATR, is still high on the priority list for the network. I apologize to Sirius subscribers for the inconvenience and frustration, appreciate everyone's support, and will continue to try to find easier ways for Sirius listeners to get the 2nd and 3rd hours of ATR.

Steve

That's good to hear. I can only hope that they don't frig it up on XM next.

We racing fans might not be the brightest bunch, by we are loyal, vocal, and generally speaking, Very Angry!

To all of Steve's fans, Lets blow up the the in box for this guy and maybe they will get the point and leave are show alone!

Like it !! Of course never received any sort of promised "24-hour" response from the customer service link off their site - what's Mr. Cohen's email, anyone?? Will be nice, just to the point ...

Does anyone know if it's feasible to switch to XM using existing hardware? My vehicle came with Sirius, but I'm not sure if I can switch over on the fly or if hardware needs to be swapped out, which would make it a no-go.

They are not compatable I was told. :(

This is an epic shanda...

It's good to know that we might have gotten their attention. I think it's important to hit the programming e-mails again a little head of the Belmont Stakes just so they don't forget we're out here and are not happy.:mad:

Go Irish, it would take a hardware change.

Given the way ATR has been kicked around the clock and dial, I am hesitant to invest in any new package or equipment. I did send an e-mail to the customer service address, my contract is up July 1 and I asked to be given the Best of XM package FREE, until they can air all 3 CONTINUOUS, LIVE hours of ATR on Sirius. Once that is accomplished they can roll back the XM package from me -

We shall see if I ever get a response.

If they do it's the end of my three subscriptions to XM. I like some of the music channels, but I love ATR. There isn't reason enough for me to keep XM without the full three hours of ATR every morning.

I have three also, and I'm with you 100%. As it is, I only hear the replays (part of them) daily on XM. It's rare that I get to partake live on XM - usually if I listen live it's via the stream.

I'm lucky in that i listen I my droid. I do have an issue though. Why is it that the broadcast only comes through on 1 channel sound wise. I work and listen in a loud environment ( a brewery ) and its hard to hear. As soon as a commercial comes on (unless its a horse industry ad) both stereo channels come on and the volume is too loud. I know its not my phone. Anyone else find this incredibly annoying?

I listen on a regular Sirius radio and have noticed the same thing, that I have to turn the volume up way higher than normal to hear the show, and if I go to another channel it is way too loud. Perhaps there is a way KC could turn up the volume of the show? Thanks.

The commercials were blaring this AM this morning listening through my home computer! Holy Moly...interesting that when Steve comes back on the air after a break, his voice volume is the same as the commercials and then it goes down a bit! That might be KC lowering it in the studio?!? Thinking that maybe the commercials are done by Sirius/XM in their studios and not KC?

Hello All,

I'm looking these issues & will get back to you as soon as I have more details.

I have a lifetime subscription to Sirius. It doesn't include the XM package. Today, I called customer service and explained I only got satellite radio for ATR and although they were able to help at all with info about the programs future, they gave me 4 free months of internet radio that I can hear thru the iphone app. Will this enable me to hear the full show or does it just let me listen to the same format I get in my car?

Wow. Nice! 4 months free? That's cool. You're in.. The internet service has the full show on SportsZone (Ch. 860). And as Vince from CA explained today, there is equipment out there that will let you hook the phone up to your car radio too.