Satellite radio service SiriusXM will launch the first-ever Beatles-backed radio channel on May 18.
The Beatles Channel will showcase all-things-Beatles with regular and special programming spanning the history-making careers of the band. The channel will explore the band's entire career – including their hits and deeper tracks, live recordings, rarities, and solo albums, while also spotlighting musicians who have inspired, and have drawn inspiration from The Beatles.
“I still remember the thrill of when we first heard our music on the radio,” says Paul McCartney, “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. The SiriusXM channel will have it all, 8 Days a Week.”
“Great news, The Beatles will have their own channel on SiriusXM,” adds Ringo Starr. “Now you can listen to The Beatles, Any Time at All. Peace & Love.”
The Beatles Channel will launch at 9:09 am ET on Thursday May 18, and will be celebrated as part of SiriusXM’s free listening preview program, offering 24/7 listening on inactive SiriusXM radios from May 17 to May 30.
The Beatles Channel will present a curated mix of music tailored to a wide range of Beatles fans, along with a variety of regular shows and specials, including:
• Breakfast with The Beatles: A daily morning show hosted by musician and lifelong Beatles aficionado, Chris Carter, featuring music, stories and all things Beatles.
• A Day in the Life: A daily feature noting milestones in the lives and career of The Beatles.
• My Fab Four: A daily guest DJ session, hosted by musicians influenced by The Beatles, celebrities, and super fan listeners, each playing their four favorite Beatles songs.
• Beatle Bites: A daily “name the song” quiz featuring a short snippet of a Beatles recording.
• Dedicated Phone: # 844-999-BEATLES, for fans to make requests and share their Beatles stories.
• The Fab Fourum: A live weekly call-in roundtable show hosted by veteran broadcaster Dennis Elsas; TV producer and author, Bill Flanagan; and panelists including authors, musicians and fans.
• Peter Asher: From Me To You: He sang Beatles compositions as a member of Peter & Gordon, was part of the formation of Apple Records and went on to become a multiple Grammy-winning producer and much more. Now, his stories come to life in this exclusive weekly series.
• 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 TV producer and author 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: A monthly show recorded in and around London and Liverpool that offers the UK perspective of the Beatles phenomenon, hosted by Geoff Lloyd.
The SiriusXM launch lands one week before the May 26 re-release of The Beatles’ landmark 1967 album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, in honor of its 50th anniversary.
The Beatles’ eighth album, “Sgt. Pepper’s” remains one of the best-selling albums in history with more than 32 million copies sold worldwide.
The revamped and expanded project will be available as CD, 2CD, 2LP, 6-disc Super Deluxe Edition and digital packages, all featuring a new stereo mix by Giles Martin and Sam Okell following the original work by the legendary George Martin.
Full track lists for all versions can be viewed here.
See also:
The Beatles stream unreleased outtake of Sgt. Pepper’s title track
The Beatles detail Sgt. Pepper’s 50th anniversary reissues
VIDEO: The Beatles preview expanded Sgt. Pepper’s 50th anniversary reissue
George Harrison vinyl box set announced
Search The Beatles at hennemusic
