SiriusXM satellite radio will soon have an entire channel dedicated to a little band called The Beatles. The appropriately titled Beatles Channel launches May 18 at 9:09 a.m. -- a nod to a track off Let It Be -- and will feature exclusive programming including a daily morning show, weekly call-in roundtables and more exploring the legendary band's unrivaled influence on modern music. The new destination will live exclusively on SiriusXM channel 18.
"We are so proud to announce the most popular band in history has joined us for their own SiriusXM channel," said Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer of SiriusXM. "We’ve worked with The Beatles and Apple Corps Ltd. to create a channel that is as vital today as when the band’s music was first recorded. The channel will be all-things-Beatles, 24/7. The soundtrack of our world, made by John, Paul, George and Ringo."
The band's two surviving members both lauded the impending launch. "I still remember the thrill of when we first heard our music on the radio, but I don't think any of us would have imagined that we'd have our very own Beatles radio channel more than 50 years later," commented Paul McCartney, with Ringo Starr adding "great news... Now you can listen to The Beatles, Any Time at All. Peace & Love." (FYI: that's a deep cut off the British version of A Hard Day's Night.)
On June 1, the channel will play a new stereo mix of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to mark the landmark album's 50th anniversary. The event -- dubbed "Pepper Day" -- will include commentary from the late George Martin and his son, Giles Martin, who helmed the fresh mixes for upcoming Sgt. Pepper special editions.
The Beatles Channel lineup:
Breakfast with The Beatles: A daily morning show featuring all things Beatles and hosted by Chris Carter.
A Day in the Life: A daily feature of notable milestones of the band.
My Fab Four: A daily guest DJ session.
Beatle Bites: Daily "name the song" quiz..
Request Hotline: Fans can call a dedicated number (844-999-BEATLES) to make requests.
The Fab Fourum: A live weekly call-in roundtable show hosted by Dennis Elsas and Bill Flanagan.
Peter Asher: From Me To You: A weekly series featuring Asher, who was half of Peter & Gordon.
Magical Mini Concert: A weekly fantasy concert featuring live music from The Beatles and their solo works.
Northern Songs with Bill Flanagan: A regular show from Flanagan, focusing on themes that tell the story of The Beatles, their music and the effect it had on generations of fans.
Get Back: The Beatles in Britain: Monthly show hosted by Geoff Lloyd and recorded in and around London and Liverpool that offers the UK perspective of the Beatles phenomenon.
SiriusXM also hosts artist-specific channels for Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Kenny Chesney and Pitbull, among others.
