SIRIUS will honor the achievements, unique history and legacy of African-Americans throughout the Month of February with a series of programming specials

Highlights of SIRIUS’ Black History Month programming, beginning on February 1st, include:

Mark Thompson will honor Black History Month by speaking with NAACP representatives about their grassroots efforts in addition to interviewing prominent African-American historians and authors about pivotal men and women in the civil rights movement. Thompson will also host a black history challenge based on the comprehensive reference book, Black Saga: The African-American Experience: A Chronology. Mark Thompson is the host of the daily political talk show Make it Plain, which airs Monday-Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET on SIRIUS Left channel 146.

Famous First by African-Americans will feature artists including Alicia Keys, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, and Jamie Foxx remembering famous first achievements by African-Americans throughout history. The special series will run on Heart & Soul channel 51.

Black History Month Spotlight: Great African-Americans will recognize the legacy of African-Americans by spotlighting people and events that have contributed to making a lasting and positive change in our nation’s history. The featurettes will run hourly throughout the month of February on Praise channel 68 and Reggae Rhythms channel 97.

Black History Month in Soul Town will highlight key African-American figures in politics, sports, arts and entertainment that have left lasting legacies in their respective fields. The special daily series will air on Soul Town channel 53.

My Life, My Music! will honor achievements and contributions African-American women in hip-hop culture every weekend throughout the month of February on Hip-Hop Nation channel 40. The channel will kick-off the month by featuring the queen of hip-hop, Missy Elliot.

Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson sits down for an exclusive interview with SIRIUS Satellite Radio to discuss his highly anticipated new album Sleep Through The Static. During the interview, Johnson shares with listeners his inspiration for the album, and touches on other subjects including his life as a parent and his new “green” studio where the album was recorded.

Jack Johnson also treats fans to an impromptu acoustic performance of the album’s title track, “Sleep Through The Static.”

Check it out: February 1 at 5 pm, February 2 at noon and February 3 at 3 pm and midnight EST exclusively on The Spectrum channel 18.

On daily afternoon show, Bosquez will take calls, welcome guests, discuss cooking, entertaining, gardening, pet care and more.

“Living Today” is exclusively on Martha Stewart Living Radio, SIRIUS channel 112. The show airs Monday - from 1:00 – 5:00 pm ET. Bosquez started on the channel on Monday, January 28, 2008.

Bosquez’s 30-year career in broadcasting spans television and radio. He was recognized by The City of New York for his contributions to the media. His work includes live coverage of the World Trade Center Disaster, and he was honored by President George Bush Sr. and Americares for his work covering the Columbia Earthquake.

His roommates are Forrest, a mixed-breed rescue from the San Antonio Pound along with Dusty and Becky: African Grey Parrot adoptees from Parrot Haven on Long Island. His home in San Antonio, Texas and loft in New York City’s Chinatown are where Mario keeps busy painting, decorating, and cooking for not-so-infrequent fiestas. He is the author of The Chalupa Rules, a collection of insights inspired by traditional Spanish proverbs. He is also a standup comic and a playwright and has appeared in “Latinologues” on Broadway as a featured guest and performer.

Representatives and supporters for Clinton, Obama, Edwards campaigns vie for the Gay community’s vote on SIRIUS OutQ

SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced today it will hold its first ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender presidential caucus on January 31, 2008 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET on The Michelangelo Signorile Show on SIRIUS OutQ, the nation’s only 24/7 LGBT radio channel. Representatives and supporters for Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards will share their candidates’ platforms and views, take questions from callers, and engage in an open dialogue with SIRIUS’ national audience.

Signorile’s show - spanning politics, media, and popular culture and how it affects the LGBT community – is further representation of SIRIUS’ broad, diversified commitment to covering the 2008 presidential campaign. The Michelangelo Signorile Show airs Monday – Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 pm ET on SIRIUS OutQ channel 109. The show features newsmakers, community leaders, and highlights the many voices of the LGBT community. In addition to The Michelangelo Signorile Show, SIRIUS offers multiple dedicated political talk and news channels.

For the LGBT Caucus, Hilary Rosen will support Senator Clinton. She is the President of OurChart.com, an active public speaker, and a regular on-air political and business commentator on national television. She is the former Chairman and chief executive officer of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Stampp Corbin will represent Senator Obama. Corbin is the National LGBT Liaison for the Obama campaign, and Co-Chair of the National LGBT Leadership Team, Obama for America ‘08. He served on The Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign from 1996-2003, and served as HRC Finance Committee Co-Chair from 1998 to 2003. He is also a successful high-tech entrepreneur. Eric Stern will represent Senator Edwards. He is a Political Advisor to the John Edwards for President Campaign. Stern is an attorney, educator, and social activist who worked for more than a decade on numerous Democratic campaigns and in the movement for social justice and equality. In the 2004 election cycle, Stern served as the Director of LGBT Outreach at the Democratic National Committee where he developed a voter mobilization plan that helped to turnout more than 3.5 million LGBT votes for Democratic candidates nationally.

Multi-platinum and Grammy® winning artist Sheryl Crow will take over SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s The Spectrum channel. The exclusive five-day special will feature Sheryl playing her favorite music including a track-by-track preview and in-depth discussion of her new album Detours (A&M/Interscope) in stores February 5th.

Among the many tracks on the album, Sheryl discusses how “Lullaby for Wyatt,” a song about her son, “…really informed this album. There’s an urgent feeling about what’s going on in the world. This song is really about, as a parent, you just want to protect your children from the pain that they’re going to ultimately experience in their lives.

During the take-over Sheryl also performs songs from Detours and some of her classic hits at SIRIUS’ studios. Sheryl Crow’s Spectrum will kick-off on February 4th at 7 am ET and run through February 8th on The Spectrum channel 18.

Sheryl Crow catapulted onto the global stage in 1993 with her debut solo album Tuesday Night Music Club. The album sold over six million copies and won Sheryl three Grammy awards including “Best New Artist.” Since then Sheryl Crow has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, received nine Grammy awards and collaborated with renowned artists including Kid Rock, The Rolling Stones and Willie Nelson. Detours is Sheryl Crow’s sixth studio album and was recorded on her farm in Nashville.

The greatest punk bands of all time play the greatest punk songs of all time on SIRIUS channel 29.

The world’s greatest punk bands of all time: The Sex Pistols, The Misfits, The Dead Kennedys, The Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, Henry Rollins, NOFX, Dropkick Murphys and more.

The who’s who of punk royalty will play their hand-selected favorite punk anthems exclusively on SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s Punk channel for five straight days. The Punk All-Stars will share personal stories and experiences from behind-the-scenes of one of rock’s most celebrated genres.

Monday, January 28, 2008 beginning at 7 am ET through Friday, February 1, 2008.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s unique commercial-free music and action sports lifestyle channel, Faction, will provide comprehensive behind-the-scenes coverage of the 12th Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

Faction’s coverage will be hosted by former Olympic skier Carrie Sheinberg and Faction staples Bryan Cullen and Michael Tully, with commentary from eight time winter X Game medalist, extreme skier, Jon Olsson. Fans will hear the latest results, breaking news and exclusive interviews with winter sports superstars. The wall-to-wall coverage can be heard January 24 through January 28 on Faction, SIRIUS channel 28.

In what some are seeing as a surprise move, the US Copyright Royalties Board actually ruled against SoundExchange, and in favor of Sirius and XM in deciding not to re-open a hearing on the royalties that the satcasters pay for the playing of music.  As you may remember, the CRB had previously ruled that Sirius and XM should pay 6-8% of ”gross revenues” (narrowly defined) to SoundExchange.  This latest ruling is in response to SoundExchange wanting the CRB to broaden the definition of gross revenues to include some items that the judges felt were unsupported by any evidence.

Ruling is here.

Coverage from BetaNews is here.

Political talk programming from all corners can be found on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio delivers in-depth and diverse coverage 24/7 of all the action in Iowa and New Hampshire with political talk, analysis and opinion spanning liberal, conservative, African-American and GLBT perspectives.

Highlights include:

• SIRIUS Left’s Alex Bennett reporting live from Iowa and New Hampshire. Bennett goes “inside” two actual Iowa Caucuses for a firsthand account of the debate, discussion, and procedure. In Manchester, Alex Bennett broadcasts live inside the legendary Red Arrow Diner to speak with “everyday Americans” to gauge their interest, passion, and opinions. [SIRIUS Left channel 146, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm]

• Also on SIRIUS Left, Mark Thompson hosts Make it Plain, a political, human rights, and current events based program focusing on issues from an African-American point of view. [SIRIUS Left channel 146, 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET].

• SIRIUS Patriot channel 144 features the conservative voices of Bill Bennett, Andrew Wilkow, Sean Hannity, Mike Church, Mark Levin, and more. [SIRIUS Patriot channel 144, see below for full programming schedule].

• On SIRIUS OutQ, America’s first and only 24/7 radio channel for the GLBT community, Michelangelo Signorile fearlessly takes on the right wing, the media and the homophobes with hard-hitting and humorous talk. [SIRIUS OutQ channel 109, 2:00 – 6:00 pm ET]

Visit www.sirius.com/politicaltalk for the latest headlines and a daily lineup of guests for all SIRIUS political talk shows. Online media listening passcode available, please let us know if you are interested.

Complete programming lineup for SIRUS Left channel 146:

The Alex Bennett Program

∙Weekdays 9 am - Noon ET
∙”If I wanted a president who spits, wears cowboy boots, and can’t pronounce words correctly, I would have voted for a guest on Springer!” Alex Bennett is a self-proclaimed radio gadfly who brings unmistakable opinions, celebrity interviews, and great entertainment to SIRIUS Left.

The Bill Press Show

∙Weekdays 6 am - 9 am ET
∙Bill Press - former co-host of CNN’s “Crossfire” and MSNBC’s “Buchanan and Press” - brings his liberal agenda to SIRIUS for a brand new “liberal way” to start every weekday. Bill keeps the right wing in check, tells it like it is, and tackles all the hot issues with prominent and powerful guests from Capitol Hill and beyond.

The Thom Hartmann Show

∙Weekdays Noon - 1 pm & 1 am - 3 am ET
∙Thom Hartmann’s progressive approach uncovers corporate lies, rampant confusion in the offices of politicians, and exposes the “con” in conservative. Thom takes on pop culture, enthusiastically promotes democracy, and helps listeners make sense of the news.

Lynn Samuels

∙Weekdays 1 pm - 3 pm ET
∙Lynn Samuels, the fiercely liberal NYC talk radio legend, now speaks her mind five days a week…exclusively on SIRIUS Left. Lynn’s loyal audience knows her as a neighbor, the one who spouted liberal, smart opinions — with her signature Queens accent — as passionately to customers at her job at a Greenwich Village laundromat as she does to listeners on the radio.

The Ed Schultz Show

∙Weekdays 3 pm - 5 pm ET; Sundays 5 pm - 7 pm ET
∙Ed Schultz goes toe-to-toe with conservatives while injecting common sense, intelligence, and humor. Ed energizes the debate with razor-sharp views on life, politics, and people in America.

Mark Thompson’s Make It Plain

∙Weekdays 5 pm - 8 pm ET
∙Make It Plain, hosted by Mark Thompson (Matsimela Mapfumo) is a political, human rights, and current events based program focusing on issues from an African American point-of-view. Thompson passionately and provocatively moderates discussion with well-informed listeners and nationally known leaders and celebrities on pressing political, social, economic, cultural and spiritual issues.

The Stephanie Miller Show

∙Weekdays 8pm – 9 pm ET
∙Forty years after her father accepted the nomination to run alongside GOP Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (and lost) Stephanie Miller embarks on her own crusade. With her background in stand-up comedy, political satire, even late night TV, Stephanie Miller proudly accepts the duty of balancing out the “right-wing wackos” by joining the ranks of the “left-wing wackos.”

The Mike Malloy Show

∙Weekdays 9 pm - Midnight ET; Sundays 10 pm – Midnight ET
∙Mike Malloy is a traditional Democrat – working to return the party to its historic liberal roots.

Mike Feder

∙Saturdays 5 pm – 8 pm ET
∙For Mike Feder, freedom of speech is a religious principle. In more than 25 years on the air, he has tackled everything from politics to culture to religion from a liberal-left point of view. His interviews, critiques, rants and sermons on the state of the world are personal, compelling and transforming.

Complete programming lineup on SIRIUS Patriot channel 144:

Bill Bennett’s Morning in America

∙Weekdays 6 am - 10 am ET
∙Former Secretary of Education, best selling author, and respected commentator Bill Bennett hosts a fast-paced, issue-oriented talk show that tackles news, politics, culture, sports, media, and more. From influential guests to everyday citizens, Bill Bennett is having a conversation with America.

The Mike Church Show

∙Weekdays 9 am ET; Weekends 5 pm ET
∙Mike Church fearlessly skewers liberalism and the people that practice it. Its conservative analysis of today’s top issues with a biting, satirical wit… peppered with Mike’s original parody creations.

Andrew Wilkow

∙Weekdays Noon - 3 pm ET; Weekends 9 am - Noon ET
∙Raised during Reagan – suffered through Clinton… Andrew Wilkow - the next generation of conservative talk and undisputed leader of the “new school.”

The Sean Hannity Show

∙Weekdays 3 am & 3 pm ET; Weekends 3 am & 2 pm ET
∙There’s a new generation on the right side of the political spectrum. Every day, they exert more influence on American political, fiscal and social policy.

The Mark Levin Show

∙Weekdays 6 pm ET; Weekends 8 pm ET
∙Mark Levin is one of America’s preeminent conservative commentators and constitutional lawyers. He’s in great demand as a political and legal commentator, and has appeared on hundreds of television and radio programs. Levin is also a contributing editor for National Review Online, and writes frequently for other publications. Levin has served as a top advisor to several members of President Ronald Reagan’s Cabinet - including as Chief of Staff to the Attorney General of the United States. In 2001, the American Conservative Union named Levin the recipient of the Ronald Reagan Award. He currently practices law in the private sector, heading up the Landmark Legal Foundation in Washington DC.

The Michael Reagan Show

∙Weekdays 8 pm ET; Weekends 10 pm ET
∙Michael Reagan aggressively confronts issues affecting the nation with his sharp, unyielding opinions. The eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, Michael cuts through the spin and brings perspective to everything from news to cultural matters.

Cam Edwards’ Cam & Company from NRANEWS.com

∙Weekdays 9 pm ET
∙ Cam Edwards covers breaking stories and current events as well as lively debate and discussion with lawmakers and newsmakers engaged in the battle to preserve American freedoms.

The G. Gordon Liddy Show

∙Weekends 6 am ET
∙While others may talk about the military, the FBI, the White House, and topics ranging from government to guns — G. Gordon Liddy has been there. Hear Gordon’s smart perspectives on the world today and the fascinating stories of his life experiences.

Cigar Dave

∙Weekends 12 pm ET
∙Often referred to as the Sultan of Smoke, the Professor of Puff, the Cigar Sommelier, and the Connoisseur-in-Chief. Cigar Dave caters to cigar lovers far and wide. Loyal followers known as “Cigar Lieutenants” tune in for news and information about cigars, spirits, and other lifestyle diversions.

Political programming on SIRIUS OutQ channel 109:

Michelangelo Signorile Show

∙Weekdays 2 pm - 6 pm ET
∙Columnist and rabble-rouser Michelangelo Signorile fearlessly takes on the right wing, the media and the homophobes with hard-hitting and humorous talk. Michelangelo sits down with all the big names — authors, newsmakers, and icons from pop culture to politics — while breaking down all the stories of the day.

….And to New Hampshire on Primary Day.

Audio highlights from inside actual Iowa Caucuses give listeners across America rare exposure to grassroots politics

SIRIUS Left host Alex Bennett talks to everyday voters at legendary Red Arrow Diner in New Hampshire

NEW YORK – December 26, 2007 – SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that SIRIUS Left host Alex Bennett will broadcast from the 2008 Iowa Caucuses and the 2008 New Hampshire primary, delivering breaking election news, voter reaction, and analysis straight from the center of two of the nation’s biggest political events.

The Alex Bennett Program, which airs Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET exclusively on SIRIUS Left channel 146, will be at the heart of the Iowa and New Hampshire political action.

In Iowa, Bennett will take listeners across America “inside” two actual Iowa Caucuses, bringing a firsthand account of the debate, discussion, and procedure by which America’s first political choices are made for the 2008 presidential campaign. Bennett will share Caucus results and all the late breaking news from politically influential Iowa on January 3rd and January 4th.

In New Hampshire on primary day, January 8th, and the morning after, January 9th, Bennett will broadcast his show live from the iconic Red Arrow Diner in Manchester. The Red Arrow Diner has become a focal point for many presidential candidates to visit during their campaign stops. Inside the diner Bennett will talk with “everyday Americans” and gauge their interest, passion, and opinions on the ever-important New Hampshire Presidential primary.