Radio Classics is a
US old time radio network owned by RSPT LLC. It provides the programming content for
Sirius XM Radio's 24-hour
satellite radio channel of the same name. Radio Classics also syndicates the Radio Spirits-branded program ''
When Radio Was'' to over 200
terrestrial radio stations. In addition, Radio Classics has a monthly online subscription service, providing subscribers with unlimited streaming and twenty hours per month of downloads of old time radio shows that have appeared on past ''When Radio Was'', ''Radio Super Heroes'', ''Radio Movie Classics'', or ''Radio Hall of Fame'' (special edition of ''When Radio Was'' that focuses on
National Radio Hall of Fame inductees) installments.
Shows broadcast by Radio Classics include ''
The Jack Benny Program
''The Jack Benny Program'', starring Jack Benny, is a radio-TV comedy series that ran for more than three decades and is generally regarded as a high-water mark in 20th century American comedy. He played one role throughout his radio and televi ...
'', ''
Abbott & Costello
Abbott may refer to:
People
* Abbott (surname)
* Abbott Handerson Thayer (1849–1921), American painter and naturalist
*Abbott and Costello, famous American vaudeville act
Places Argentina
* Abbott, Buenos Aires United States
* Abbott, Arkansa ...
'', ''
Gunsmoke
''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...
'', ''
The Mysterious Traveler
''The Mysterious Traveler'' was an anthology radio series, a magazine, and a comic book. All three featured stories which ran the gamut from fantasy and science fiction to straight crime dramas of mystery and suspense.
Radio
Written and directed ...
'', and ''
The Shadow
The Shadow is a fictional character created by magazine publishers Street & Smith and writer Walter B. Gibson. Originally created to be a mysterious radio show narrator, and developed into a distinct literary character in 1931 by writer Walter ...
''. Hard-boiled noir detectives such as
Philip Marlowe,
Richard Diamond, and
Johnny Dollar Johnny Dollar may refer to:
* '' Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar'', a radio drama
* Johnny Dollar (musician) (1933–1986), American country and rockabilly musician
* Johnny Dollar (blues musician) (1941–2006), American Chicago blues guitarist, sin ...
are also featured.
The Sirius XM channel, carried on channel 148 on
XM (where it was on channel 164) and
Sirius (where it was on channel 118), is hosted by Greg Bell, who had previous radio experience as a program director, news director, sports director, anchor, and reporter.
Shows are played in two-hour blocks of programming which are rotated in different time slots during the week. This allows the audience in various time zones to be able to hear a show at convenient times. Commercials and Sirius XM promos are played before, after and during the old radio shows, though the amount of advertising time does not exceed eight minutes per hour. Occasionally, the original vintage commercials are broadcast, though the majority of the spots are modern commercials provided by Sirius XM and/or their sponsors.
Prior to February 1, 2009 XM and Sirius had separate Radio Classics channels, with different programming on each. They were combined as part of the larger merger between the two satellite radio services.
Notes
External links
Radio ClassicsOld Time Radio Blog
maintained by Sirius XM programmer Greg Bell
Weekly Schedule for Sirius XM's Radio Classics channel
{{Sirius XM Channels
American radio networks
XM Satellite Radio channels
Sirius Satellite Radio channels
Radio stations established in 2002
Sirius XM Radio channels