District-based XM Satellite Radio announced that shock jocks Opie and Anthony would resume broadcasting Friday after a month’s suspension.
The two hosts — Gregg “Opie” Hughes and Anthony Cumia — were suspended after a guest described the desire for violent sexual encounters with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and first lady Laura Bush.
“Opie and Anthony will be back on XM live at 6:00 a.m. ET on Friday, June 15,” the company said in a message posted on its Web page.
XM and the duo immediately apologized after the incident. However, the company — which is in the process of being acquired by Sirius Satellite Radio — suspended the hosts after they continued to joke about the matter.
The suspension angered listeners — paid subscribers to the XM service — who argued the two
did not have to follow public broadcasting standards.
They posted photos of smashed XM radios on Internet message boards.
The suspensions also prompted free speech advocacy group People Against Censorship to send an open letter to XM and organize protests of the company’s decision.
Company officials largely dismissed the protests, telling The Examiner the suspensions were temporary.
Staff Writer Melissa Frederick contributed to this report.
