Comedian Liz Miele has recently faced a significant drop in her earnings, a situation that resonates with many others in the industry. SiriusXM made the decision to discontinue its Raw Comedy/Raw Dog channel, which used to showcase over 800 comedians, and has now been replaced by a channel owned by renowned comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
This abrupt shift has left Miele and numerous other comedians, mostly from the working class, without a crucial source of income and exposure. While the new channel claims to offer opportunities for comedians at various career stages, industry watchdog Stand Up for Standup reveals a contrasting reality.
Before the channel’s rebranding, Raw Comedy supported over 800 comedians monthly, each earning $15 in royalties per play of their material. In contrast, the revamped channel featured only 275 comedians in the last month, with the top 50 artists, including big names like Chris Rock and Kevin Hart, dominating over 75% of the airplay.
Miele, a former top performer on the channel, expressed concerns about the shift leading to a wealth concentration among a select group of comedians, leaving many struggling artists behind. This change not only impacts the current generation but also threatens to hinder future comedians’ chances of breaking into the industry.
Canadian comedian Danish Anwar shared that his royalties from Raw Comedy have decreased by 30 to 40%, affecting his peers who rely on this income to sustain their careers and even their work visas in the U.S. The situation has put many in a precarious position, with some contemplating a return to Canada due to the loss of this vital revenue stream.
Despite the backlash, high-profile comedians such as Patton Oswalt and Michelle Wolf have called on Maniscalco to advocate for emerging comedians’ inclusion on the new channel. Maniscalco, in response, clarified that he was not involved in the decision to end Raw Comedy, and SiriusXM attributed the change to the channel’s underperformance.
Moving forward, Maniscalco has pledged to work with SiriusXM to ensure a diverse range of comedic voices, from emerging talents to established artists, find a platform on the channel. However, some, like Anwar, remain skeptical and emphasize the importance of tangible support over mere promises.
Amidst this upheaval, comedian Steph Tolev, recalling a similar incident in Canada, encouraged U.S. comedians to unify and demand fair treatment from SiriusXM. While the future remains uncertain for many in the comedy industry, this moment calls for solidarity and collective action to address systemic challenges and protect the livelihoods of all comedians.