Radio Classics

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Radio Classics
Radio Classics.svg
Broadcast area United States
Frequency Sirius XM Radio 82
First air date 2002
Format Old-time radio
Class Satellite Radio Station

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.[1]

Shows broadcast by Radio Classics include The Jack Benny Program, Abbott & Costello, Gunsmoke, The Mysterious Traveler, and The Shadow. Hard-boiled noir detectives such as Philip Marlowe, Richard Diamond, and even Johnny Dollar[2] (technically not a detective so much as the man with an action-packed expense account) are also prominently featured.

The Sirius XM channel, carried on channel 82 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.[3] 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.


  1. ^ "Radio Classics FAQ". Radio Classics Subscription Center. Retrieved 2007-02-07. 
  2. ^
  3. ^ "Meet the Hosts of Radio Classics". XM Radio Classics Channel 164 Page. Retrieved 2007-02-07.

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