The Highway (Sirius XM)

The Highway

Broadcast area	United States Canada
Frequency	Sirius XM Radio 56 Dish Network 6056
RDS	New Country music including the hottest country superstars, up-and-coming artists, and the very latest discoveries direct from Nashville. Plus Nashville Flash music updates throughout the day.
Branding	Today's Country Hits
Programming
Format	Hit Country Music
Ownership
Owner	Sirius XM Radio
History
First air date	November 12, 2008
Technical information
Class	Satellite Radio Station
Links
Website	SiriusXM: The Highway

The Highway is a commercial-free country music radio station on Sirius XM channel 56. It was created when Sirius and XM merged their competing hit country stations, "New Country" on Sirius and "Highway 16" on XM. The Highway can also be streamed at SiriusXM.com and through its app for mobile devices.[1] Until February 9, 2010, it was heard on DirecTV channel 814.

The Highway broadcasts from Sirius XM's New York City studios, as well as studios at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Highway is among the most popular music channels on satellite radio. As of 2014, SiriusXM reports it has more than 27 million subscribers.[2]

Most Fridays, listeners visiting Nashville are invited to the Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe to become a part of the show called the "Music Row Happy Hour" [3] with Buzz Brainard.[4]

The channel spotlights new music through its "Highway Finds" feature.[5] This changed the music business by giving airplay to unsigned and independent artists, creating fresh stars.[6] The channel bypasses the traditional record company lock on the business.[7]

Hosts

• Buzz Brainard
• Macie Banks
• Ania Hammar
• Cody Alan
• Al Skop
• Jessica Wade
• Kim Ashley
• Ashley Till

Specialty shows

• The Highway Hot 30 Weekend Countdown: Weekly countdown show determined by members of "The Highway Patrol," a free club of listeners who rate the music in a special online application. Saturdays at 9 am and 5 pm, and Sundays at midnight, 6 am, 1 pm and 9 pm Eastern, with repeats all weekend.
• On the Horizon: On the Horizon is a one-hour show that features new songs by up-and-coming artists. Saturdays at 11 am and 7 pm, and Sundays 2 am, 8 am, 3 pm and 11 pm Eastern, with repeats all weekend.
• Outsiders Radio: Every month, Eric Church picks a theme and shares his favorite music around it plus exclusive behind-the-scenes stories.
• Takin' The Wheel: Celebrity guest DJ takeover the show.
• Highway Hang Time: Artists hang in our studios and preview new music. Can also include live exclusive performances.
• Superfan Concerts: Live performances by stars and up-and-coming artists.
• The Music Row Happy Hour: Buzz Brainard hosts Friday 4 pm Eastern live on location from a bar in Nashville with listeners.

Core Artists

• Luke Bryan
• Blake Shelton
• Thomas Rhett
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Dan + Shay
• Keith Urban
• Jason Aldean
• Miranda Lambert
• Luke Combs
• Eric Church
• Carrie Underwood
• Dierks Bentley
• Old Dominion
• Morgan Wallen
• Hardy

References

1. "The Highway: Today's Country Music".
2. "Sirius XM tops 2014 subscriber targets". Crain's New York Business. Associated Press. January 7, 2015.
3. "Music Row Happy Hour".
4. "Nothing Like SiriusXM The Highway". Our Country Concerts.
5. What is The Highway Finds? It’s all part of The Highway channel’s ongoing commitment to spotlight great new country music talent. Being named a Highway Find is highly-anticipated by country artists and fans alike, and has brought early recognition to familiar country stars such as Gabby Barrett, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay, and Florida Georgia Line.
6. "How Satellite Radio Is Breaking Country's Next Big Stars". Rolling Stone. January 5, 2015.
7. Hannah Karp (April 12, 2014). "Nashville's New Hit Maker Is Satellite Radio Programmer - WSJ". WSJ.