11/12/2008 7:45:45 PM

I'm very, very happy you are still around. I subscribe to both XM and Sirius, and I was anticipating that OTR would be combined and simulcast over both systems like so many of the music streams--but that isn't the case as of now. Will they be combined? Thank you and keep up the good work.

Keith

11/12/2008 8:09:16 PM

I am so glad you are still part of the lineup.

What can we do to support Radio Classics on XM/Sirius?

Chuck

11/12/2008 8:41:31 PM

I was waiting for the changeover last night and fell asleep. I woke up about 12:20 and was relieved to hear OTR was unchanged and I started to explore all the other channels as well. However I see Sonic Theater has become Book Radio and it sounds like that is all they are going to be is books. I heard a message on XM shortly after I started looking at the new channels and renamed channels and it basically said that Book Radio will be focusing on books, while OTR will have old time radio shows AND things like the Twilight Zone which used to air on Sonic.

Greg, is this true, is the Twilight Zone hosted by Stacy Keech moving to 164 or was I just hearing things in the hazy stage between sleep and awake?

Matt Pelc

11/12/2008 10:29:10 PM

Quite frankly, if they'd have dropped the Radio Classics, I would have dropped XM. Glad others are enjoying as much as me.

Chris Carrier

11/12/2008 10:45:07 PM

If there is one thing I'd like to see on 164 that isnt currently being aired now, it would be Classic Bob and Ray Episodes..Don't think I'd cre for the newer Twilight Zone though..

Tim Lones

11/13/2008 12:08:50 AM

Hurray for XM Channel 164! I'm happy that so far, so good. I'll echo the sentiments about "The Twilight Zone." I enjoyed it often on Sonic Theatre, but it would be a little jarring on Radio Classics. Personally, I've always liked the way you structure your channel. Every time I looked at the Sirius OTR channel, I thought it looked boring. So, hang in there, Greg. You're the one who makes 164 such a great channel!

G

11/13/2008 12:52:07 AM

I guess I must have been dreaming, I just heard the Twilight Zone on Book Radio so obviously its not coming to 164 anytime soon.

Matt Pelc

11/13/2008 7:16:46 AM

It looks like Book Radio will be about the same as Sonic Theatre . I just heard Sherlock Holmes and Harry Nile .

Rick

11/14/2008 1:11:16 AM

I caught an announcement from Maggie Linton on Sonic Theatre (between programs) that the channel name would change but the programming remain the same "at least until January". We'll cross our fingers that Harry Nile, Sherlock Holmes, New Frequency, Twilight Zone and others still have a home.

Personally, Radio Classics and Sonic Theatre are the main reasons I became an XM listener and changes to either channel would disappoint me greatly. I'm so glad that things are continuing on here with Greg Bell! The classic radio shows get me through my workday and commute.

Lisa

11/14/2008 4:55:52 AM

Over-heard in Radio Heaven this week from the Little House half way up in the next block.

VIC: Say, our buddy Greg Bell is still
on the Radio!

SADE: I love his Lux Radio Theater

RUSH: And the Lone Ranger, Gov. Hi Yo Silver.

VIC: Quiet kumquat! Jack Benny is starting.

UNCLE FLETCHER: Greg Bell? Remember him well,
he was Valedictorian at the Everett Dirksen academy
back in 19 and ought 2. Spotless record too....
except for the time he poured a Gallon of creosote
into the faculty swimming pool. He cleaned it up and
was forgiven, but the Principal there has a distinct
aversion to Creosote to this very day. Distinct.

SADE: Uncle Fletcher...

VIC: Dennis Day is singing now.

UNCLE: OK Vic Honey, OK Sadie honey....

james sills

11/14/2008 8:04:00 AM

Thank goodness they left Radio Classics and Greg Bell alone! I hope they also keep the XM 40's 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's the same. I really don't like how Sirius has their OTR and a lot of their music. That is why I chose XM in the first place. Too bad about Sonic Theatre. I will miss Harry Nile, and Twilight zone.

Donna

11/14/2008 2:40:50 PM

So I wasn't crazy! At least not on this! I heard that same promo while I was fully awake. And yes the lady says that RadioClassics will carry classic radio drama like Dragnet and the Twilight Zone. So apprently their promo is wrong or its things to come.

Matt Pelc

11/14/2008 8:50:48 PM

Greg-

Very glad to see that you're still on XM, and that the channel is still there as well! I noticed that my XM display changed the name of the channel from "Old Time Radio" to "RadioClassics" (is there supposed to be a space in there?).

Anyway, I hope things continue to be business as usual for the channel going into the future. Keep up the great work.

Kevin Nagle

11/14/2008 10:44:43 PM

Greg;

Thanks for getting back to me, and congrats on being a survivor. So, far the change has been bearable. Keep up the great work, I spend a lot of time on the road, and you keep me company for many hours of the day. Love "Gunsmoke"
Bob Conrad

bob conrad

11/16/2008 7:51:40 PM

Greg,
I'm glad to see that you have survived the mass executions so far. I have noticed one bad change to 164 already. I couldn't believe it when I heard over 15min of commercials and promos for Sirius XM touting how wonderful they are.I know that the channel is supposed to be a commercial channel, and that sponsors such as the NY Times help to justify its existance to the new bosses, but, I really don't need to hear over and over again about AT 40 or NPR or how Sirius is now giving the XM listener more variety. I don't have Sirius, but, from what I have heard, I hope that they keep you and our XM OTR channel as the channel for both services.

Alan Kamen

11/16/2008 10:11:56 PM

Add me to the long list of fans of 164 -- and your hosting of it.
I subscribed more than three years ago, primarily because OTR was offered, and I play the channel many hours a day (many shows are far better than today's TV and infinitely better than today's radio).
Years ago, I used to be a loyal fan of "When Radio Was" with its previous host and creator, but the need to hunt down WRW stations disappeared when I subscribed to XM. (I still keep up with Max Schmid's Golden Age of Radio on WBAI-FM in New York, mostly because he is such an amazing enthusiast. That program, by the way, is among the top three most listened-to on that station's 24/7 lineup of shows, which demonstrates the popularity of OTR.)
This weekend, I noticed a strange phenomenon that perhaps you can explain. Virtually all of the "commercials" and promos disappeared. There are no "half-time" breaks in the shows, and one show slides into the next (consequently, shows are more than a tad off schedule). Did the promo computer break down or are we blessed with a new format?
Keep up the great work -- and, if possible, more postings on this blog.
=jack

Jack Sanders

11/17/2008 1:54:31 AM

I noticed the same thing..No commercials..Shows starting as much as 5-7 minutes off the hour scheduled

Tim Lones

11/17/2008 1:58:59 AM

I think the commercials all running together are a synching error. it happened briefly once before any of the merger stuff happened.

Pam D.

11/17/2008 2:58:19 AM

Yep, about 15 minutes of commercials now...I am so sick of that golf commercial...ugh!

KMarie

11/17/2008 3:24:18 AM

Wow... Crime & Peter Chambers ran for about 10 minutes, now more commercials, American Top 40, NPR, Small Business Minutes, over and over. Greg what are they doing to your channel?

KMarie

11/17/2008 7:39:33 AM

It looks like each 2 hour block starts with 15 minutes of ads but then once the shows start , they run non-stop . The announcer says " Lets Pause " but the show comes right back on .

So if you can skip the first 15 minutes, then you get the shows after that with no ads .

Rick

11/22/2008 6:25:21 PM

I enjoy XM's radioclassics more than Sirius and I have both services. I do like Superman which Sirius plays, but they just air the same 20 episodes or so it gets annoying. I love the amazing play list on the XM's channel, but I like the music changes so far, so hopefully Sirius will let Greg handle RC and that will be that.

Joe

12/5/2008 10:05:26 PM

Will XM's Radio Classics replace the corresponding Sirius program on Sirius (Channel 118)? Having the same show day after day at the same time is frustrating with Sirius. If it is not a show you enjoy, the channel is useless for the daily commute. I enjoyed your show on the XM in my old vehicle but Sirius came with the new one.

Robert

12/28/2008 8:19:10 PM

Hey again Greg,
I`ve told you on several occasions how much I not only enjoyed the programming on 164 but also your ability to answer many listener questions. Tell me please, back when radio was in it`s heyday before the rise of television, how much were the stars of note paid to appear on radio? And how about the character actors, were they paid well also?
Keep it up, good friend. We love the entertainment.
Dennis Haskell

Dennis Haskell