Fans of Sirius XM’s Channel 52, Electric Area, are not happy at the moment. It was announced this month that the channel would be replaced by Diplo’s curated “Diplo’s Revolution,” and would feature “global rhythmic music hand-selected by Diplo,” as well as regular original shows hosted by him, Dillon Francis and Major Lazer members Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. The channel officially launched last week, March 22.
Electric Area was home to many weekly radio shows including Group Therapy, Birdhouse Radio, A State Of Trance, and Wonderland Radio. Some of those programs have left the channel completely, others have been rescheduled to fit the new programming,
“I’m so stoked to be starting my own channel with SiriusXM. Back in 2012 I had a show with them called ‘Blow Your Head,’ and it’s awesome to be back in the family launching this project together. I’m excited to share my favorite music from all over the world, and can’t wait to have tons of friends on to do the same,” said Diplo.
Not everyone agrees.
Comments and tweets directed at Sirius XM show intense criticism for the change in programming, but the station says the change is permanent.
https://twitter.com/garethemery/status/977375167390216194
I loved electric area as well! I had a show on the channel for many years. I think you might be interested in giving my station a chance. we are keeping may of the same dj shows and just diversifying the range a bit to differ from BPM, we still getting a groove, so just wait 🙏
— diplo (@diplo) March 28, 2018
What the hell Sirius?! You change the best EDM station, Electric Area, and replace it with “Diplo Revolution”? If I wanted to listen to the same 10-20 songs every hour on the hour I would’ve just put on BPM. #bringbackelectricarea
— Brian Sabogal (@WiseGarbageman) March 22, 2018
Dear @SIRIUSXM, why the fuck would you remove the central station for all things EDM. Electric area is being replaced by Diplo and will be the same repetitive bullshit as Tiesto’s channel. How am I supposed to listen to Birdhouse, Toolroom radio, or Night owl? Want to lose money?
— (S)Lime Boy (@ZiggyZerda) March 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/KingNickyThe1st/status/976133577787232257
A HUGE mistake and one they are regretting i’m sure, but will never admit. It’s not that Diplo is bad, actually very talented, but when you take the one channel away that plays the the best EDM, underground dance tracks, shows, and festival shows, well you get lash back. We miss our channel, and as paying customers we should have a say. #bringbackelectricarea Do know there are options you can stream. http://www.10001tracklists.com and https://www.futuregroovefm.com to name two. I hope they reconsider…
the only reason I have five radios. …bring it back or gone
When Sirius joined XM back in 2009 they did the same thing to “The System”. This was on XM Channel 82. In my opinion “The System” was better than Electric Area or BPM but you can’t tell SiriusXM that. They think they know everything.
xm
WHY DID YOU GET RID OF ELECTRIC AREA…DIPLO RADIO IS NOT THE SAME, ELECTRIC AREA IS THE MAIN REASON I HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION
I WILL NOT RENEW MY SUBSCRIPTION
Seems like their narrowing down the DJ’s again. They did this before when Boombox switched to Electric Area. When I asked why they pulled the other DJ’s I was told to try the Hip Hop station. They were never brought back and Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto was on way too much. I like Diplo; but, 14 hour sessions? C’mon Sirius, what are you thinking?
I hope I’m not the only one that complains to Sirius about this. This has got to stop.
I hope others complain to bring back the 1 hour music sessions. Also, the quality could be a lot better if they got rid of some stations. They have so many stations dedicated to rock, pop and country which we can get elsewhere for free in much better quality. I think we deserve at least a bit rate of 128 (cd-quality). I complained before when they removed Boombox and replaced good djs with 12 hour music sessions. Now its even worse, Electric Area is gone and replaced with Diplo mixing 14 hour sessions. Also, Armin Van Buuren is still there playing his 12 hour sessions. I miss Dj Icey (Boombox), Black Ghosts (Boombox), Pretty Lights (Electric Area), and many others 🙁
This sucks. Bought a lifetime membership when it first came out just for Electric Area. So disappointed. There should be a petition to sign to bring them back. I LOVE ABGT and cant hear them now in the car especially.
Lets form a petition to bring Electric Area back. I bought a lifetime subscription way back just for that channel as I love ABGT and AVB. Now my car radio and I are lonely