SiriusXM Axes Raw Comedy Channel, Replacing It with Sebastian Maniscalco's Comedy Radio

SiriusXM has shut down its Raw Comedy/Raw Dog channel, introducing a new channel owned by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. This transition has resulted in a loss of income and visibility for hundreds of comedians. Last month, the revamped channel showcased only 275 comedians, with over 75% of the listens going to the top 50 performers, such as Chris Rock and Kevin Hart. Comedian Liz Miele noted a 25% decrease in her earnings, while Danish Anwar reported a 30-40% decline in royalties. Maniscalco claimed he was not part of the decision to eliminate Raw Comedy, which SiriusXM cited as a result of the channel's 'underperformance.' Prominent comedians have urged Maniscalco to advocate for emerging talent, while Anwar calls for solidarity within the comedy community.