Art Bell Quits Dark Matter

[DanTSX]

It's over people... after considering this...

Sirius won't back off.

The only way to deal with it for them is to let Art go and paint him as a loon in quiet whispers. It's the only short term smart move... and corporate weenies are all about short term smart moves.

My conclusion: Stick a fork in.... it's done.

Unfortunately this

Weenies have no vision
Weenies hold the keys

[onan]

Who, besides myself, is a tad miffed at witnessing a couple of millionaire divas parading through our (well, MV`s) little...thing, and pissing and fucking moaning to people who are just able to scratch out a paycheck - some not even able to do that - and act like THEY are  being treated unfairly?

Folks...it`s just GD nauseating. Over.

Could not have been stated better by anyone.

[Kolchak]

It's over people... after considering this...

Sirius won't back off.

The only way to deal with it for them is to let Art go and paint him as a loon in quiet whispers. It's the only short term smart move... and corporate weenies are all about short term smart moves.

My conclusion: Stick a fork in.... it's done.

Unfortunately, this looks to be the case. Sirius has removed DM from next week's schedule and it'll be gone from OD in a few days. They're clearly doubling down.



Can't we all just get along?

[IcicleTrepan]

Who, besides myself, is a tad miffed at witnessing a couple of millionaire divas parading through our (well, MV`s) little...thing, and pissing and fucking moaning to people who are just able to scratch out a paycheck - some not even able to do that - and act like THEY are  being treated unfairly?

Folks...it`s just GD nauseating. Over.

I'm not so sure that he ever said he felt he was being treated unfairly.  He basically said that the current situation wasn't, in his opinion, making for a good show.  He didn't want to do a bad show (again in his opinion), and thought of this alternative to solve the issue.  But the problem is that there's no meeting of the minds here and so the deal is at risk.

[Marc.Knight]

Who, besides myself, is a tad miffed at witnessing a couple of millionaire divas parading through our (well, MV`s) little...thing, and pissing and fucking moaning to people who are just able to scratch out a paycheck - some not even able to do that - and act like THEY are  being treated unfairly?

Folks...it`s just GD nauseating. Over.

Excellent wake up call and perspective. 

[maren]

Yeah I saw that after I posted and it was too late to delete. I searched "expire" and didn't find anything, jumped the gun on the question.
Now I will forever hate myself for wasting my first post on BellGab. 
I do hope he continues with a stream, but I did like the On Demand feature. Working nights means I can't really listen to the live show, and the stream made it easy to record the show the next day with no commercials and have them on my iPod. Great way to archive.
I'm sure there will still be a ton of recordings.

Well, I'm the only one who seems to have noticed.  

I'm hoping, if he doesn't kiss and make up with Sirius, that he has something where we can subscribe to his site for previously aired shows.  Not sure if that's what Noory does or not.  I'm not an "Insider".  If he does continue with Sirius, I'll re-up so I can hear the replays.  Jeez.  It's the not knowing, you know?

[FallenSeraph]

http://artbell.com/testing-a-potential-live-streaming-solution/

Oh hey - this is cool and news to me - why are we all fighting and stuff if it looks like he's for real with this? Have we moved on to the philosophical question "To listen or not to listen?" if he in fact moves forward with this?

I guess I can try to go back and catch up on the last 25 pages.

BTW - looks like Sirius is going to delete all of his On Demand DM shows in three days, so if you want to download any of them (which will then self-destruct in 30 days, I guess), do it soon. Or, could someone please PM me and let me know if you have any copies that are downloadable. Even though I'm still a little miffed at Art, I want the GIS show and the Fukushima guy.

[maren]

Didn't Art say something about "...if I have to finance it myself I will"?? 

[Stan_Holeman]

It's over people... after considering this...

Sirius won't back off.

The only way to deal with it for them is to let Art go and paint him as a loon in quiet whispers. It's the only short term smart move... and corporate weenies are all about short term smart moves.

My conclusion: Stick a fork in.... it's done.

This is probably all about money. Art's original contract depended on splitting profits and the audience draw turned out to be much less than anticipated. He quit citing some nonsense about streaming.

His latest position seems to be that he wants to produce his own show which broadcasts at least over the net, and then contract with Sirius to simulcast and/or rebroadcast the show (presumably for a cut of the profits...however that is determined). This sounds like a syndication deal. If so, Art would then independently sell his show to over-the-air terrestrial broadcasters...essentially getting play on both Satellite and AM.

Why would Sirius go along? Their whole business model (which they created) was/is EXCLUSIVE content...not syndication.  If Art were to get away with this, all their talent would become independent broadcasters and they'd have to restructure their entire multi-billion dollar company. Not going to happen...and I assume Art is well aware of this.

So, the fallback is that Art will finance his own show. Ok, but when? The non-compete would be enforced...so no time soon.

TL;DR Art isn't coming back.

[bateman]

The only way Sirius will acquiesce is if they want Art THAT BADLY. Rest assured, no other broadcaster, save for Stern would be able to pull this stunt and have any hope of it working out in their favor.

[DesertFox]

Don't consider Art pissing and moaning.  Did he handle this badly--Yes.

[Kolchak]

It's the not knowing, you know?

It's a bit like mom and dad loudly fighting behind a locked door and then, in an instant, everything going silent and not being able to decipher a winner.

[Catsmile]

I just joined this board and I like you read through this whole thread. I can't say I'm impressed with all the bashing that goes on. I understand people being upset about Art's decision. I am too, but I sure don't think bashing people is any way to act. People who are supposed to be adults yet act like school children. All I can say, is grow up. This is not the first forum I've been in where I've seen this kind of behavior. I'm here to get news about Art and not to read a bunch of haters. I hope Art will come back to do a show for all his fans but I'm not ever going to bash people if he doesn't and all you Noory haters are just as bad. If you don't like him, then don't listen to him. Simple as that. I don't go to forums of people I don't like just to bash them. I just don't bother with them. That Richard Hoagland post took the cake for bad taste.

Thanks mom.
Can you get off your soap box for a minute, and bake us some cookies, let's spread some warm fuzzies around.

[FallenSeraph]

Can anyone summarize the "huuuuuuu" thing for me? I saw it in the corner but I don't know where it came from.

According to that husband/wife dream team or whoever they were, inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth with a "huuuuuuuuuu" to release stress, relieve anxiety, cure your insomnia, and clear your mind in preparation for amazing magical dreams.

Let's all do it together.

"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

[Coz]

Unfortunately this

Weenies have no vision
Weenies hold the keys

Weenies taste best wrapped in yellow cheese.

[Rhucus]

Mr Art Bell
Your show was swell
Until streaming went to hell

You had a fix
And took a risk
By throwing free shows in the mix

Now Sirius are mad
They think you're bad
And all of your fans are so sad

But I do not blame
Or want to shame
The guy with Art as a name

So just fix it now
Then get Linda Howe
To talk about more of those cows

[Bigfoot]

This is probably all about money. Art's original contract depended on splitting profits and the audience draw turned out to be much less than anticipated. He quit citing some nonsense about streaming.

His latest position seems to be that he wants to produce his own show which broadcasts at least over the net, and then contract with Sirius to simulcast and/or rebroadcast the show (presumably for a cut of the profits...however that is determined). This sounds like a syndication deal. If so, Art would then independently sell his show to over-the-air terrestrial broadcasters...essentially getting play on both Satellite and AM.

Why would Sirius go along? Their whole business model (which they created) was/is EXCLUSIVE content...not syndication.  If Art were to get away with this, all their talent would become independent broadcasters and they'd have to restructure their entire multi-billion dollar company. Not going to happen...and I assume Art is well aware of this.

So, the fallback is that Art will finance his own show. Ok, but when? The non-compete would be enforced...so no time soon.

TL;DR Art isn't coming back.

Art could fork up his own money to pay for a contract breach and possibly to get rid of the non-compete.  That probably is not going to happen.

[Stan_Holeman]

Mr Art Bell
Your show was swell
Until streaming went to hell

You had a fix
And took a risk
By throwing free shows in the mix

Now Sirius are mad
They think you're bad
And all of your fans are so sad

But I do not blame
Or want to shame
The guy with Art as a name

So just fix it now
Then get Linda Howe
To talk about more of those cows

Fucking cattle mutilations, goddamn you aliens! Stop fucking with our cattle you extraterrestrial dicks!

[Mels-hole1984]

What kind of shit storm did I just walk into?

[Marc.Knight]

What kind of shit storm did I just walk into?

...a boiling pit of sewage.

[shell88]

That's the last Deja vu roller coaster ride for me. Whatever. It's not a pretty sight. I'm still in shock really.  WTF

[samysam1313]

I almost hate to see this thread wind down, in life you almost never get to see such unmitigated hate
accross your screen. Long ago because of fast blast I learned to ignore it. When you do a show and have a
guest people think they hate you will see "dump this ass hole and go to open lines" and a lot more just
like it and much worse, in the end you have to do what you think is right and act on it. For the most part
by the end of the show you are getting messages like"best show I've ever heard". Once in a while you
do have to "dump the asshole" but if you follow the advice of a mob it almost always goes wrong.

This board is a lot like that. decisions that we are forced to make or make because we think they are the
right thing to do are just that, and if they turn out well your a genius, if not your dead to the World or at least
some posters on this board, but it is always fun to watch.

We are currently in talks with Sirius/XM which really knows how to deliver to vehicals very well. The idea is to
become Independent Broadcasters which means no pay from Sirius while still keeping it exclusivly Sirius/XM in
the Broadcast World, however we would then be free to stream free at artbell.com. Another words the best of
both Worlds. In the long run I think it would benefit all including Sirius/XM. I think this will work but if not we will
stream the show at the first opportunity, either way it will happen if I have to finance it myself, I will.

I know all this seemed very sudden to most of you but there was much going on behind the scenes you do not
know about and because it was said to me in confidence I am not free to discuss publicly, however I feel this is
the right decision. If I am wrong I am sure I will be dead to the World and some who post here.

I want the show to work at least as much as all of you but I have been at this for a while and I know what it
takes to be viable and when I say that I mean not just as a niche type show, viable Worldwide. I understand
that some of you are sooooo angry that you will not listen to the free steam and I will just have to find a way to
live with that.

                                                                                                                             Rage on,

                                                                                                                             Art

Thank you Art. Appreciate you letting us know you're working on it. Whether it ends up working or not, you'll never be dead to me or your real fans. The haters on here are all now eating crow and paddling hard to get back in your good graces. Hope it works and thanks for trying. That's all you can do. Keep on riding Art and us real fans will be riding right along side. 

[DanTSX]

Weenies taste best wrapped in yellow cheese.

Weenies usually wear monogrammed dress shirts

[lightningline]

If art gets his way can he and sxm sell his show to am stations like premier does c2 c? If so they rule

[Coz]

Coz....I want to know why Obama didn't have you Creat a website instead of Michelle's BF from college & some tasty Canadians.

Pretty simple really. I'm smart enough not to take government contracts- they are a pain because getting on the "approved list" is political. I'm not very political.

However, if I had quoted the contract... the system could have been built for under 5 million using open source. That does not include the hosting infrastructure.

Most people will not tell you the truth about that debacle- because most people or companies see a government contract as a way to get unlimited money.

I would have done it simply for the challenge.

[jazmunda]

With the onDemand disappearing and Art being erased from the Indie website it appears that the dream is well and truly over.

Our last best hope now is for a loophole in the NC clause.

[Bigfoot]

Thank you Art. Appreciate you letting us know you're working on it. Whether it ends up working or not, you'll never be dead to me or your real fans. The haters on here are all now eating crow and paddling hard to get back in your good graces. Hope it works and thanks for trying. That's all you can do. Keep on riding Art and us real fans will be riding right along side. 

Oh, the "real" fans. Right.  As opposed to the fans who bought radio equipment and satellite subscriptions to hear this man show up and put out a 4-day workweek? The fans who apparently were calling too much, not calling enough, calling on cellphones, calling on bad landlines, calling while on the road, not calling on Skype, calling on Skype, wormholing, not wormholing enough, etc. etc.? The fans whose quality wasn't up to snuff in Bell's opinion, for a "caller-driven" show?

I don't know about that. 

[Coz]

With the onDemand disappearing and Art being erased from the Indie website it appears that the dream is well and truly over.

Our last best hope now is for a loophole in the NC clause.

Yea... I'm still holding my Sirius subscription for the moment.

Tomorrow I've got a meeting at about 1pm, if there's no positive movement on the situation, I'll call and cancel once finished with the meeting.

Sad sad sad.

[Falkie2013]

Oh yeah. Looks like it is a done deal boys, girls, and looneys.

I don't know if AB is coming back or not but please you two stop with the frigging flaming !
This is bellgab where we normally only throw brickbats at $noory, not each other.

[samdean]

I see the question over and over and well, over again... why would Sirius give in.

I am left thinking.  Why wouldn't they?

First, this is being played out different in the "media" then it is in this world.  The portrayal I have read has been more along the lines of "lots of people have complained about Sirius shitty streaming service and now someone quit over it".  As an Art Bell fan, my reaction was more along the lines of "oh crap, he's quitting on me again", but the outsider perception is much different.

Second, if Art is actually offering what he says he is... forgo salary AND carry the cost of the live stream, likely still keeping his 50/50 split on ad revenues, WTF does Sirius have to lose?  Nothing.  They have done syndication style deals before, where programs are available BOTH on Sirius and regular radio.  In this case, it would be ONLY a live stream on the web and then Sirius would have exclusive rights to the archives, etc.

If you check out the facebook page you will see many MANY people saying that they dumped Sirius over losing Art Bell b/c they were listening to the archives, so there are a number of people who would pay the $14.95 per month b/c they can't listen from 7-10 PT.  I know I fall into that category and sent an e-mail into Sirius to let them know that I would happily resubscribe if they picked the show back up, whether it is live streamed or not.

This is a company BARELY making money, with a stock price that has been relatively stagnant for years.  (Well, its gone up the last several years, but that is down drastically still from 10 in 2002 and 60 during the height of the boom.)

They wind up in a nothing to lose and everything to gain scenario if they let Art give up his salary AND shoulder the cost of streaming.

The caveat here is that the offer isn't what is seems and Art isn't actually willing to forgo salary AND carry the streaming costs.  Maybe I read his messages wrong, but that was my takeaway of his offer.