How could the income cuts from SiriusXM affect Liz Miele's earnings?
Liz Miele faces zero payouts after SiriusXM cuts comedy roster The income cuts stem from SiriusXM changing its Raw Comedy channel to Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio, which resulted in the removal of about 500 comics from the roster. Liz Miele, who organized the coordinated protest effort, reported that her payout checks were halved in the current month and are expected to be zero next month. This reduction occurs despite SiriusXM previously paying comics $15 per track spin, a royalty that was a significant source of revenue for working-class comedians.
- Effect
- Strong negative
- How direct
- Stated in the reporting
- When
- Right away
- The story
- Gone quiet
How it reaches Liz Miele
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Hundreds of professional stand-up comedians used Instagram and TikTok to protest income cuts within the comedy community. SiriusXM replaced its Raw Comedy channel with Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio, which cut about 500 comics from the roster with zero notice. Liz Miele, who organized the coordinated posting effort, stated that her payout checks were halved and were expected to become zero. The protest followed failed negotiations between independent comedy groups.
The full event1independent outlet -
The income cuts are a direct result of SiriusXM changing the Raw Comedy channel to Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio. This change cut about 500 comics from the roster, and Liz Miele, one of the higher-paid comedians, reported that her payout checks were cut by half this month and are expected to be zero next month.
1 report connects these two. Brind only summarizes; follow a link to read the reporting itself.
- latimes.com Oct 8
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Tap any step to see the evidence behind it.
The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- SiriusXM cut about 500 comics from the Raw Comedy channel roster.latimes.com
- Liz Miele reported her payout checks were half what they normally are this month.latimes.com
- Liz Miele expects her payout checks to be zero next month.latimes.com
- SiriusXM paid comics $15 per spin of a track from their comedy albums.latimes.com
Why it matters
For Liz Miele and other working-class comedians, SiriusXM was a significant source of revenue. The cuts represent a severe financial blow, threatening the stability of a segment of the comedy community that relies on these platforms to make a living while touring local clubs and indie shows.
This situation highlights a broader trend of consolidation in creative industries. The shift from a diverse Raw Comedy channel to a curated broadcast focused on Sebastian Maniscalco’s material is seen by critics as squeezing out the middle class and narrowing the variety of voices available to the audience.
What we don't know yet
- Will the failed negotiations between independent comedy record labels and SiriusXM lead to further cuts or changes?
- Are there alternative revenue streams available to comedians affected by the SiriusXM changes?
What would change this answer
Who else could feel it
Other possible ripples from the same event.
Reporting
- latimes.comOct 8
Keep going
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