The Country Classics
Sirius XM places the blame on listeners while ignoring Arbitron
With the merger of Sirius and XM satellite radio Arbitron ratings seem to mean very little. Relative to Willies Place I see almost no listeners tuning in Howard Stern instead. Arbitron said: “XM does a little better as far as eclectic offerings go. Its best AQH number is for ’80s/’90s/now Mainstream AC “The Blend,” and Modern AC “Flight 26.” But the next highest numbers are for the Classic Country “Willie’s Place.”
We know for a fact that Eddie Kilroy and Gary “Catfish” Hightower built Hanks Place and Willies Place. Both are gone now. Catfish was gone shortly after the merger. However, Sirius/XM said in an email:
“The channels selected to create our new channel line up are those which have been requested by popular demand to our programming department. The recent merger between XM and SIRIUS has allowed us to give our subscribers better choices in music, news, sports, talk and entertainment. We are sorry that you are not happy with our removal of a few of our personalities, found on Willie’s Place; we have taken your comments into consideration, please note that this information will be escalated to the relevant department for further review.”
Does this place the blame right back on us, as faithful listeners? I though Arbitron carried some weight, and jammed phone lines for Kilroy and Hightower’s shows said it all. Putting the blame back on the listeners is a thin excuse that carries no weight. It is childish. Yes, we all know that things change. When changes make no sense they should be questioned. Here is what Sirius/XM said next:
“Unfortunately, Eddie Kilroy is no longer part of the Willie’s Place on-air team. Eddie was integral to the launch of the Willie’s Place channel, and his morning show will be missed by many fans. However, Clarence – whom you have heard for years on Willie’s Place – is now keeping the nickel jukebox full of genuine country music each morning, and Dallas Wayne will continue to broadcast live every weekday afternoon from our studios at Willie’s Place in Texas and take your calls and requests.”
I was born about 60 years ago, not yesterday. When Eddie Kilroy built Willies Place there were no guarantees, but good executives and intelligent people everywhere know that Arbitron ratings say a lot. Removing Hightower and Kilroy is a cost-saving measure. It shouts “We don’t care what you – our listeners – really think.” Some people think Howard Stern is a superstar. Personally I do not. However, if Sirius/XM fires Stern the move will be blamed on listeners. Intelligent people would see it as a cost-saver, and once again Arbitron will mean little or nothing.
Not willing to let the issue go, in part because Sirius/XM answers are a pat on the head with no real substance, I decided to stay with it like a bulldog on a ham hock. Then the company said: “Also, keep listening for some very exciting additions to the Willie’s Place lineup, which will be announced very soon.”
I’m sorry, but fans of Willies Place regard Eddie Kilroy and Gary “Catfish” Hightower as friends and family. You just don’t treat family like that. Nor do you try to defend yourself with rhetoric, excuses, and ‘you’ll get over it.’ We are too old and too smart for that.
I’m sure Sirius/XM wants to tell me to listen to “The Roadhouse”, learn to love it, and shut up. They are missing the point. They are also forgetting that we pay for the service, which is what Arbitron was saying in the first place. Investors should be concerned about bad decision making that will result in lower earnings.
The economy is bad enough, and subscribers see satellite radio as a luxury. With more bad decisions, like removing Eddie and Elizabeth Kilroy, or Gary Hightower, the decision makers at Sirius/XM can run a good company right into the ground. Simply look to the financial sector to see how it’s done.
This morning, Thursday, I received an answer from Sirius/XM that said:
“Dear Mr. Blake, Thank you for contacting XM.
We are sorry to hear that you are not pleased with the changes made to “Willie’s Place”. We appreciate all of our subscriber’s comments. We understand your concern in this matter. However, at the current time no updates are planned.”
No updates are planned? Yesterday a fan received this from Sirius/XM: “Also, keep listening for some very exciting additions to the Willie’s Place lineup, which will be announced very soon.”
I did publish that information yesterday. It seems like Sirius/XM tells us what they think we want to hear. No updates, exciting updates. Stay tuned for more.
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I used to love Willies place, but it is ruined by all this chit chat of the DJ an his followers in the booth. I have nothing against them personally but this type of thing needs to be over the regular airwaves on a more local level. We aren’t paying for this insincere yapping. Please change it it back as I like it going through my home as I carry on my day. P.S. I do enjoy the Roadhouse. Sorry Mr. Mack.
I used to love Willies Place too. It is ruined by all the chit chat. After Eddie and his gang were run off I turned My X-M Sirius Radio off and do not intend to renew Subscription again. I just found this site today thanks for the info. I e-mailed XM right after I found out Eddie was gone and was told to mind my on business and to listen to Roadhouse. I can get talk and chit chat on local stations. I listen to my CD’s now.