D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio has experienced backlash from subscribers and free-speech advocates angered by its suspension of disc jockeys Opie and Anthony earlier this week.
Opie and Anthony came under fire after a guest on their show made remarks regarding violent sexual encounters with female government figures such as Condoleezza Rice.
The hosts apologized on-air for the remarks, but later received suspensions after they continued to joke about the matter following the apology.
Angry listeners also began posting photographs of smashed XM radios on Opie and Anthony-related Internet forums, such as Wackbag.com.
Two XM sponsors, Nashville Coffee Company and Adameve.com, pulled ads following the suspension, according to their company Web sites.
While XM provides some commercial-free content, it does air advertisements, particularly during talk radio programming.
Free speech advocacy group People Against Censorship sent an open letter to the radio company; organized a protest at the New York studios of CBS, which also broadcasts the Opie & Anthony show; and listed tips on its Web site on how to support the show, including urging fans to call and complain to XM.
XM spokesman Chance Patterson said Friday that the station received a number of calls from fans, but most calmed down after learning the group’s suspension was temporary.
He would not confirm how many subscribers canceled following the suspension, but said the number was small.
Richard Landensberg, an assistant professor of communications at Elon University in North Carolina, said XM is more beholden to its subscribers than to sponsor or government approval, though the company is hoping the Federal Communications Commission will sanction a pending merger between it and competitor Sirius.
Landensberg believed the Opie and Anthony suspension would offend more listeners to the show than it appeased.
“When you pay for a service, you expect whatever it is you’re paying for, and when you pay for Opie and Anthony, it’s not as if you think you’re getting Captain Kangaroo,” Landesberg said.
