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Comics Call on Maniscalco to Reverse SiriusXM Channel Changes
Developing
In Short: Patton Oswalt and Michelle Wolf have called on comedian Sebastian Maniscalco to reverse changes to SiriusXM's Raw Comedy channel, which they say are harming up-and-coming talent.
In an Instagram post, Oswalt said, 'Get those young comedians back on the SiriusXM channel.' He argued that the channel's current roster of 300 comics, mostly well-known names, does not support the dynamic and diverse comedy scene.
Wolf echoed Oswalt's sentiments, telling Maniscalco, 'Everyone can see that comics, we’re together on this.' She emphasized the importance of the channel supporting comics who have worked local clubs for decades.
Stand Up for Standup, a comedy industry advocacy group, reported that comics earned $15 in royalties per 'spin' of their set on the channel, aiding in supporting their comedy careers. However, the group noted that the channel no longer draws from the wider pool of 800-plus comedians and instead rotates a narrower roster.
SiriusXM launched Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio in April, which is 'curated and headlined by Sebastian himself,' according to the satellite radio provider. The channel replaced the long-running Raw Comedy channel, which featured uncensored stand-up comedy shows from a range of talent.
Maniscalco's channel has faced widespread criticism from fellow comedians, including Patton Oswalt, Margaret Cho, Liz Miele, Kyle Kinane, and Michelle Wolf, who have posted videos online calling on him to carry on Raw Comedy’s legacy.
A spokesperson for SiriusXM said, 'SiriusXM works together with our creative partners to program the best possible experience for our listeners.' They added that many of the comics heard on Raw Comedy/Raw Dog will be heard on their many other comedy channel offerings.
Despite the backlash, Maniscalco has shown little concern over the pleas from fellow comics to restore the channel's original programming.
The criticism comes as Stand Up for Standup published a report about the channel’s shift away from emerging talent, who rely not only on the visibility they receive from appearing on the station but also on the royalties they earn from SiriusXM.
What this adds
The shift in programming has led to a significant reduction in the number of comedians featured on the channel, from over 800 to around 300.
Maniscalco's channel has been criticized for focusing on well-known comics rather than supporting newer talent.
The controversy highlights the importance of satellite radio channels in providing exposure and financial support for emerging comedians.
What's confirmed
- “Listen, there’s a lot of up-and-coming comedians who are depending on the money and the checks that they get from Sirius, and the fact that you and I still get to tour and still get to work, and still get to be as funny as we are, is because comedy right now is so dynamic and has so many new young voices that are coming up,” Oswalt said.
- “But 500 of them have been booted off of Sirius,” he continued.
What's still developing
- “SiriusXM Radio on their Raw Dog channel used to play like 800 comics — you could turn that on and find a comic that would be your absolute favorite, who you’ve never heard of before,” she said.
- In September 2024, he set four records during a run of five sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden as part of his “It Ain’t Right” tour, including the highest gross for a single tour stop at $10.7 million.
- But this time, instead of turning on each other over Saudi paydays, the focus has turned toward A-list comic Sebastian Maniscalco, who has so far shown little concern over pleas from some famous comics to restore the lucrative programming that once filled the SiriusXM channel now bearing his name.
- Maniscalco is certainly counted among that elite group.