Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Did Sirius-XM Shut OutQ to Pay for Radio Andy?


Many in the LGBT community are lamenting the death of OutQ, the queer station that began in 2003 on Sirius Satellite Radio. Given that Sirius-XM recently launched Andy Cohen's high-profile Radio Andy, it's hard not to see a cause and effect in play, but one with a big fat asterisk. While OutQ featured actual LGBT people on the air -- like Frank DeCaro, Doria Biddle, Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson -- aimed at an everyday LGBT audience, Radio Andy feels more like a "gay" channel for straight people ... not unlike like Bravo.


Has the LGBT community evolved so much that we don't even need a station for us and by us? Derek Hartley, whose show was a victim in the run-up to the station's demise, had this to say about the news:
“Nothing lasts forever in media, but this loss is hard for me personally. More than just a radio channel, OutQ was a way for people both within and outside the LGBT community to feel connected, be entertained and informed. While the larger LGBT community is closer every day to full equality in this country, I believe there is still a need for our unique perspectives to be heard and our issues addressed. Even after our show was cancelled, I still hoped the channel could continue for the sake of the listeners, the commuters, the truckers, everyone that depended on it.”
Derek and Romaine have found a second act HERE, but it remains to be seen what will happen to the other on-air talent. Here's hoping they all land on their queer feet. We still need to hear from other LGBT voices besides celebrities.


10 comments:

Blobby said...

did anyone find Derek & Romaine the slightest bit entertaining? I know it was painful for me. I did like the finance / lifestyle show that was on Saturdays, though the name I forget. But when I cut back on my Sirius package, they cut OutQ with all the other stations I never tuned into.

Matt said...

Well I'm glad I canceled my SiriusXM subscription last month. I used to like Andy but anymore he and his shows are all self-centered pop trash. Poor Frank, Doria, Derek and Romaine.

Danny said...

Awww... Frank DeCaro let me say "boobies" on the radio. I sad to see OutQ go frown emoticon.

Bill Nelson said...

Then Andy needs to bring Frank and Doria over to Radio Andy!!!

Unknown said...

I did and do Blobby. They are funny as hell and smart. I subscribe to their new internet radio and enjoy every minute!

JF said...

You can still hear Derek and Romaine.https://www.derekandromaine.com/

Shy Boy said...

I am so over Andy and his gay station for straight people BRAVO sucks. safe cookie cutter ...

Unknown said...

Uhhh, I did and still do! I listened to their show nearly every day when they were on Sirius and since the 2.0 relaunch online now I've subscribed and canceled Sirius. I can't stand listening to idiots like Andy Cohen that have absolutely nothing of substance to say.

Radio Ed said...

I blame Larry Flick for this. The channel went way downhill after they let him program it. He's the worst broadcaster in the history of radio and it's a travesty that he still has a show on SirusXM. The day that that obese talentless a-hole loses his job will be the best day of my life.

Unknown said...

Andy Radio? No thanks. who cares he fucked Lance Bass. How many times are we going to hear that shit? I love Frank and Daria! I love Larry Flick. I like the sports show. I like Lance Bass without his friend. The girl was cool. But they missed out on a whole or part of entertainment. Why wouldn't you get Jonny McGovern? That dude is hilarious. He has lived a quite a life and his humor is great. I am not really into drag but give them a main stay as they are part of the gay lexicon. Just as Andy has whitewashed gay life, so has outQ. There are gay Black, Latino and other minorities who would like their cultures represented also on outQ. That would of been so awesome than to play some music that was shitty during your club days and even shittier now. So yes we need a channel but it needs to represent all. Not just who some programmer who thinks what his queer agenda is.