NEW YORK, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today announced the launch of SiriusXM Progress, formerly SiriusXM Left, an expanded 24/7 channel dedicated to progressive politics offering a powerful, diverse lineup of original thought, nuanced opinions and inspiring political discussions.

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SiriusXM's Michelangelo Signorile—leading social/political/cultural commentator, Editor-at-Large, Huffington Post Gay Voices, author, journalist and longtime advocate for the most important issues facing the LGBT and progressive communities —will launch a new live, daily, call-in afternoon show on the channel. Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief, Huffington Post Media Group and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) are slated to be guests on Signorile's show the week of July 22. Leading progressive voice and Senior Fellow at Media Matters Ari Rabin-Havt will launch a new exclusive morning show dedicated to setting the agenda for the day's politics on SiriusXM Progress, with guests Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO, scheduled to appear during the launch week. SiriusXM's Mark Thompson, long known for activism on behalf of the African-American and progressive communities, will continue his early evening daily show. NAACP President/CEO Ben Jealous is scheduled to be one of Thompson's first guests during the launch week. Popular progressive hosts Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartmann will also continue to be heard daily. 

SiriusXM Progress will launch on Monday, July 22 via satellite on channel 127, and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.

"From sports to music to all perspectives of political talk, SiriusXM's non-traditional, groundbreaking hosts live their lives in their fields as much as on the air. We are very pleased to launch SiriusXM Progress with that spirit, expanding and enhancing the quality and depth of our diverse political lineup across multiple SiriusXM channels," said Jeremy Coleman, SVP, Talk and Entertainment Programming, SiriusXM. "Whether our audience agrees or disagrees, seeks out information or challenges what they hear, we now offer truly insider radio featuring progressive politics and perspective from veteran activists who have earned their stripes and are ready to take calls from listeners nationwide."

"I'm ecstatic about expanding my show and moving to the new SiriusXM Progress channel," said Michelangelo Signorile. "We'll inform and inspire listeners on all the big issues progressives care about, from the environment to gun violence, from immigration to the economy. And as always, I will take every opportunity to confront all forms of discrimination and give listeners the tools they need to fight back."

"It is a privilege to share the new SiriusXM Progress with hosts who have spent their careers creating change through action," said Ari Rabin-Havt. "Every morning on The Agenda we will seek to inspire our audience to rise up and take responsibility for moving our country forward."

"Our new name is SiriusXM Progress, but as Frederick Douglass said, 'If there is no struggle, there is no progress,'" said Mark Thompson. "So Make It Plain will join the other shows continuing in the struggle for civil and human rights on behalf of African Americans, women, Latinos, LGBTs, the poor, the working class seniors and youth, so that we can live up to the name SiriusXM Progress. We will no longer be simply talk radio, but do radio."                    

The SiriusXM Progress channel 127 programming lineup includes:

The Agenda with Ari Rabin-Havt
Monday – Friday, live 6:00 – 9:00 am ET
Ari Rabin-Havt—joined by political insiders, new voices of the progressive movement and other influential guests—sets the progressive agenda every morning and takes calls from listeners nationwide. Rabin-Havt, a Senior Fellow at Media Matters, was on the faculty of the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. He has served as an adviser to former Vice President Al Gore, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democratic National Committee. In addition, he worked on Secretary of State John Kerry's presidential campaign. Join the conversation via Twitter @TheAgendaSXM and @AriRabinHavt.

The Michelangelo Signorile Show
Monday – Friday, live 3:00 – 6:00 pm ET
Journalist, author, activist Michelangelo Signorile reports in-depth on the political, social, and cultural issues and headlines of the day, conducting hard-hitting interviews with major political figures, community leaders and pop culture icons and engaging listeners from coast to coast. Join the conversation via Twitter @MSignorile.

Make it Plain with Mark Thompson
Monday – Friday, live 6:00 – 9:00 pm ET
Longtime civil rights/NAACP activist Mark Thompson passionately and provocatively explores pressing political, social, economic, cultural and spiritual issues from an African-American perspective with newsmakers, nationally known leaders from the worlds of politics and entertainment and informed listeners nationwide. Join the conversation via Twitter @MakeitPlain.

SiriusXM Progress programming will be available on SiriusXM On Demand after it airs for subscribers listening via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices or online at siriusxm.com.

For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com.

About Sirius XM Radio

Sirius XM Radio Inc. is the world's largest radio broadcaster measured by revenue and has more than 25 million subscribers.  SiriusXM creates and broadcasts commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; exclusive talk and entertainment; and the most comprehensive Latin music, sports and talk programming in radio. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company in the U.S., from retailers nationwide, and online at siriusxm.com. SiriusXM programming is also available through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for Android, Apple, and BlackBerry smartphones and other connected devices. SiriusXM also holds a minority interest in SiriusXM Canada which has more than 2 million subscribers.

On social media, join the SiriusXM community on Facebook, facebook.com/siriusxm, Twitter, twitter.com/siriusxm, Instagram, instagram.com/siriusxm, and YouTube at youtube.com/siriusxm.

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The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: our competitive position versus other forms of radio and  audio services; our dependence upon automakers; general economic conditions; failure of our satellites, which, in most cases, are not insured; our ability to attract and retain subscribers at a profitable level; royalties we pay for music rights; the unfavorable outcome of pending or future litigation; rapid technological and industry change; failure of third parties to perform; changes in consumer protection laws and their enforcement; and our substantial indebtedness.  Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).  The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.

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SOURCE Sirius XM Radio