November 2004

Expanding Into a New Universe

GW Launches Two XM Satellite Radio Programs

By Greg Licamele

GW’s national broadcast presence has expanded farther on the dials of XM Satellite Radio as listeners across the country can now hear two new programs, From the Nation’s Capital and Beyond Category, which join the University’s growing portfolio of radio and television endeavors.

“These programs are designed to educate, as well as inform and entertain,” said Michael Freedman, vice president for communications and executive producer of GW’s broadcast content. “The mission remains the same for all of the shows insofar as we have the opportunity to create excellent radio programming, offer new skills to students who are involved with the projects and to expand GW’s positive visibility locally, nationally and globally.”

From the Nation’s Capital highlights those people, places and events of Washington, DC, that make living, working and playing here a unique opportunity. Airing each Sunday at 6 pm on XM Public Radio, channel 133, veteran broadcaster Sam Litzinger has led one-hour tours of the World War II Memorial with journalist Richard C. Hottelet, the International Spy Museum with a former CIA agent, and the traveling National Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit with legendary pitcher Bob Feller. From the Nation’s Capital joins an impressive lineup of radio programming on the XM Public Radio station, which includes The Bob Edwards Show, Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know? And Garrison Keillor’s The Writer’s Almanac.

Freedman said University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, current chair of the DC Chamber of Commerce, was seeking ways to promote the District’s cultural contributions and visitor attractions. Trachtenberg found an ally in the immediate past chair of the Chamber and president of XM Radio, Hugh Panero.

“As a result of the missions and shared interests of XM, GW and the Chamber, we have been able to launch a program that highlights for the nation the best exhibits, the most impressive archives and outstanding programs in Washington,” Freedman said.

GW’s other new program on XM, Beyond Category, takes listeners on a two-hour journey through diverse programming that profiles artists, writers and others who have made a difference in the world. GW, XM and legendary singer Tony Bennett’s Exploring the Arts foundation have partnered on this project, hosted by veteran radio broadcaster Dick Golden. The program airs on Thursdays at noon, Fridays at 8 pm and Sunday’s at 1 am (10 pm on the West Coast).

“Since receiving an honorary degree from GW in 2001, Tony Bennett has guest lectured classes and participated in our American Jazz program, also heard on XM,” Trachtenberg said. “With Beyond Category, we take our relationship to a new level, combining resources and expertise to educate and enlighten our own students and XM listeners across the country.”

“GW is not simply a sponsor or supporter of these programs, we are the creative force and the producing entity,” Freedman added. “We brought these partnerships together. We oversee production and are responsible for the quality and content of these programs. These are GW broadcast productions, as part of a growing entity within the University involving both professionals and students.”

Students from WRGW, Freedman’s Journalism 190 radio news course, the School of Media and Public Affairs and others interested in radio broadcast production and programming, are contributing to and learning from these partnerships, Freedman said, while GW staff members also contribute to the three broadcasts on XM, as well as The Kalb Report public affairs series, the GW Washington Forum and CNN Crossfire.

“It is a thrill for GW to be part of this next generation of radio and for our students to become exposed to and enlightened by this new technology and the career opportunities it presents,” said Freedman, a former general manager of CBS Radio Network News who believes satellite radio is the future of the industry. By the end of this year, XM could have three million subscribers, while its competitor, Sirius, could have more than one million.

“It’s carving a new path for radio very similar to the path carved by HBO, Showtime and Cinemax when cable television was coming into its own,” Freedman said. “I don’t see satellite radio replacing AM or FM at any point in our lifetimes, but I do see it providing a viable alternative or a complement to terrestrial radio.”

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