WASHINGTON and LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM Satellite Radio , the nation's leading satellite radio service with more than 7 million subscribers, announced today that it will replace now-defunct KZLA-FM (93.9) as sponsor for Los Angeles' largest country music festival "Country Bash '06," which is scheduled to feature Gretchen Wilson, Phil Vassar and SHeDAISY. The event will be held October 14 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Los Angeles.
KZLA recently abandoned its longtime country music format, leaving Los Angeles with no local country music radio station. XM is now the largest radio platform for country music in Los Angeles with a total of nine country music channels. Today's announcement ensures that country music fans in LA will still be able to enjoy the popular music festival.
Tickets for Country Bash '06 will be available beginning Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m.
"XM Radio's commitment to country music is more important now than it's ever been before," said Eric Logan, executive vice president of programming, XM Satellite Radio, and former board member of the Country Music Association (CMA). "By sponsoring Country Bash '06, XM is sending a message loud and clear to country fans in Los Angeles and across the country: XM Radio loves country music, and XM is the best place for you to hear country music."
In July, XM handed over creative reigns to country music legend Willie Nelson for its traditional country music channel, now known as "Willie's Place" (XM channel 13). In addition to that channel, XM's country music lineup includes:
* "America" -- Classic country on XM Channel 10
* "Nashville" -- '90s and today's country on XM Channel 11
* "X Country" -- Americana country on XM Channel 12
* "Willie's Place" -- Traditional country music on XM Channel 13
* "Bluegrass Junction" -- Bluegrass music on XM Channel 14
* "The Village" -- Folk music on XM Channel 15
* "Highway 16" -- New country hits on XM Channel 16
* "US Country" -- '80s and '90s country music superstars on XM Channel 17
* WSIX -- Nashville's premier country music station on XM Channel 161
A complete channel lineup can be found at http://www.xmradio.com/.
About XM Satellite Radio
XM is America's number one satellite radio service with more than 7 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2006 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: the most commercial-free music channels, sports, talk, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Porsche, is available in more than 140 different vehicle models for 2006. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-9-06. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department.
