SiriusXM launched Sebastian Maniscalco's Comedy Radio in April, replacing its long-running Raw Comedy channel. Raw Comedy had showcased uncensored stand-up from a broad roster of talent, while the new channel is "curated and headlined by Sebastian himself," according to the satellite radio provider. The programming now features Maniscalco's own show alongside stand-up from well-known acts.
A report from Stand Up for Standup, a nonprofit supporting comedians, found that spins on the channel have narrowed from more than 800 artists to 275, largely favoring celebrities. Comedian Dan Soder said the channel features "very famous comics who are dead or who don't necessarily need the money." The organization argues the shift is "bad for comedians, and bad for the future of comedy," because emerging talent relies on both visibility and royalties from SiriusXM.
Patton Oswalt and Margaret Cho are among the comics who posted videos calling on Maniscalco to keep Raw Comedy's legacy alive by highlighting newer performers. Oswalt said roughly 500 comedians have been "booted off" the channel and depend on the checks they receive from Sirius. Others, including Liz Miele, Kyle Kinane, and Michelle Wolf, also criticized the change.
SiriusXM told Deadline that Maniscalco's channel "introduced a new creative direction and a regularly evolving programming mix," adding that the company "continues to invest in comedians more than any other audio platform." Neither SiriusXM nor representatives for Maniscalco immediately responded to The Verge's request for comment.