Full Breakdown
SiriusXM Replaces Raw Dog Comedy with Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio, Prompting Backlash from Working-Class Comedians
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
In April, SiriusXM announced that its Raw Dog Comedy channel would be discontinued and replaced by “Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio.” The company said the change was driven by the former channel’s underperformance.
Core Change and Immediate Impact
The new lineup centers on high-profile names such as Chris Rock, Jim Gaffigan, Jamie Foxx, Whitney Cummings and Kevin Hart, plus archival recordings from Joan Rivers and Bob Hope. Comedians who previously received regular airplay on Raw Dog—many earning roughly $15 per play—were removed from rotation.
Data & Statistics
- Stand Up for Stand Up reported the active roster fell 66 %, from 812 comedians in April to 275 by September.
- Over 75 % of the remaining plays now go to the top 50 comedians, concentrating royalty income among a small elite.
Official Statements & Responses
SiriusXM said the decision preceded Maniscalco’s involvement and was based on performance metrics. A spokesperson stated:
> “While the challenges facing working comedians are bigger than any one person or decision, we remain committed, as we have for more than two decades, to making SiriusXM a place where comedians at every stage of their careers can be heard.”
Maniscalco added:
> “Comics, we’re together on this. We want it to change.”
Criticism & Opposition
Comedians and observers condemned the shift as harmful to working-class performers.
- Patton Oswalt: “The fact that you and I still get to tour… is because comedy is dynamic… but 500 of them have been booted off of Sirius.”
- Liz Miele: “Because of this action, hundreds of comedians will no longer be able to have these royalties… they depend on this money to just survive.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “While the challenges facing working comedians are bigger than any one person or decision, we remain committed, as we have for more than two decades, to making SiriusXM a place where comedians at every stage of their careers can be heard,” — SiriusXM spokesperson
- “The fact that you and I still get to tour and still get to work and still get to be as funny as we are is because comedy right now is so dynamic and has so many new, young voices that are coming up. But 500 of them have been booted off of Sirius,” — Patton Oswalt
- “Calling SiriusXM’s move “devastating,” comedian Liz Miele said, “Because of this action, hundreds of comedians will no longer be able to have these royalties.” — Liz Miele
What’s Next
No timeline or concrete steps have been disclosed, leaving the future of royalty income for many working-class comics uncertain.