BellGab.com Archive

Yes, that is correct, I said I would honor the NC because I will, I did not say I would not see about
challenging it from a Legal point of view, that is a proper way to proceed. I will not just ignore the NC
and go on with streaming but I will see what can be done to have it removed. If it is we will stream
just as we said.

                                                                                                                Art

 Wait a moment, I said I would honor the NC, I did not say I would not take Legal action to try and change it.

                                                                                                                                   Art

 First of all my sincere congrats to Premiere Radio, they made the right move. Business is War
and I would have done the same exact thing, and did in my day.

Second, given the same circumstances I would make the same decision again today about Dark
Matter. There is much you do not know and I will not talk about because it was given in confidence
and I am kind of old school so I will not talk about those things even though it would help you to
understand my decision.

Third, I would love it if Sirius/XM would waive my NC but they said no and even though I could run
out and get a Lawyer and perhaps win back my freedom I will most likely not do that. If I were ten
Years younger it might be a different story, I will say this, It seems crazy as hell to me that we offered
exactly what Premiere ended up taking. Now Sirius/XM has a show that will be mostly commercials and
seems much less a good fit than Dark Matter with a Host who thinks a Typhoon in Vietnam causes rain
in Hawaii. (Last night's show, first hour)

Fourth and finally I would like to say sorry to the people who did come over either by Radio or the less
than stellar streaming, trust me I understand your anger, I only wish you had enough information to
understand my decision.

                                                                                                          Art Bell

 Pizza rolls....yum

 Ok I have something to say, CONTENT COUNTS. When I was with CC and was told to name my own price, it
was fewer commercials per hour. When I started with SXM I did four Hours and if you check you will find that
at least 3 1/2 of those hours were pure content.

Anybody can take four Hours and fill with a "nice guy" plus two and a half Hours of commercials and breaks
as well as Medical advice and promo's about how to invest 13 cents a day and call it a show.

The deal I offered should have been snapped up because as I have said it was a big win-win for everybody
concerned. That it was not, as of yet, still makes me believe there are other things at work here, only time will
tell. But I promise you this I did not WANT to quit, I was in a situation where the road forward was not viable.
I still want to be on the air now, I hope you all believe that and if I can find a way to be, I WILL.

                                                                                                                             Art

 Good evening, I have to get a bite to eat but I will be back.

                                                                   Art

 Never give up hope until you get a absolute no, that is what I have learned. Another thing I have learned is
that when you feel there is something going on behind the scenes there usually is, as I have said here now many times.
Never underestimate big power and money.

When I have any kind of firm response you all will be the first to know.

                                                                                                                         Art

Art...have you  tried to speak with the man who brought you into SXM in the first place ?


Please re-read page 242

                                                                                       Art

 If any of you have any form of communication or channel open that I am not aware of,   please feel free
to ask Sirius/XM any of these questions that we all want the answers to.

                                                                                                                    Art

 I am not crazy about the way some things have been handled, they canned Paul without so much as a Human voice
doing the job and he had been trying to get a handle on the streaming mess every day. Now they take the tactic of simply
not responding in any way to ALL forms of communication the modern World has.

At least I spoke to them like people in a normal business relationship. I am telling you there is something else in the works.

                                                                                                                                      Art

 Duke dude,

Respect is earned. My asking for it here will not get it for me, and my asking for it for George will sure not get it for him.

                                                                                                                                            Art

 The answer is because I signed it. I try to be a honest person.

                                                                     Art

 I predict that after a few pages go by, people will again be saying, why don't you try and work it out with Sirius.
( Remember I said this on page 292)

                                                                                                           Art

               

One last thing ALL such contracts have non compete clauses.

                                                                        Art

 Ok, here is another post.

  People keep saying "why don't you try and work it out with Sirius/XM" We have been trying to do that from three
days after the show started, we had confrence call after confrence call with them trying to get it worked out, there was
a lot of talk but no fix. We told them the base was leaving and this would effect our partnership if something was not done.

At about the six Week mark after most who had tried the free 30 day trial had given up and left MAINLY because of the drop
outs we asked for a remedy as in a Year of streaming OR until the problem was fixed, it ended when they said NO.

48 Hours after that we made a offer to work with no pay and let Sirius/XM have the show exclusivly while we streamed from
the Web Site, they said they would consider that and have not responded to phone calls, email's or texting since. How is that
NOT working with them?

                                                                                                                                              Art

If people here do not wish me to post at all I can do that, I only continued here because I kind of embraced this
forum when I started the show and so I was trying to keep you all up to date, it seemed natural.

                                                                                                                                 Art

 Just this, it is a bridge I will cross when we get there, if they say no and do not release me from the NC
I will observe it. Should they release me from that, I will do a show and stream it for free as I said I would.

                                                                                                                             Art

Thanks for asking, I am fine. Nothing much to say that I have not already said but good evening!

However I will repeat, people here have no idea the intense talks that were going on from about 3 days
after the show started about the stream drops, I do understand however how it seemed abrupt to the listener.

Also, the deal we tried to make on Wed, two days after the show stopped was a very good one and after saying
they took it very seriously they stopped communicating. I will say again, I think something else is going on.

For those above who listened and did not like the show anyway, it should not even be a issue worth talking about
unless you just like seeing a message from yourself.

                                                                                                                     Art

 Just to be clear AGAIN, a Independent Broadcaster is somebody who is generally not exclusive to Sirius/Xm
but is still carried, Like Coast was and many other shows. The sad part is that we proposed that over a Week
ago and even said we would remain exclusive to Sirius/XM in the Broadcast World and would only stream on
the Web Site. Sadly they have not replied.

I will indeed honor my NC if they want me to and I am fairly sure they will, if not I will stream the show to you
as I said I would. I do not understand why they would not since it was such a win-win. We would no longer be
employees so their cost would have been near zero. I am concerned there are other factors at work here, time
will tell.

                                                                                                                            Art

 To be VERY clear I was not proposing anything that many other Hosts are not doing on Sirius/XM, as a
independent Broadcaster streaming or even being on regular Broadcast stations at the same time is
fine, we proposed to keep Sirius/XM exclusive but simply stream as others do.

This was not a impulsive decision much as it may have looked that way from the outside, we had been
talking with Sirius/XM for the entire time almost every day about the streaming problems. Listeners to my
program were effected to a much greater extent then for other shows that had been developed on the
Sat part of the company because they almost entirely came in on the 30 day trial period which was really
tough for them. If you give something a try and have a bad experience when it comes time to pay about
$180.00 for continued service what do you think most people would do? Sure, perhaps some did not like
the show or some just could not afford it, but we had hundreds of emails from people who were getting
constant drop outs.

I am in no way angry with Sirius/XM just disapointed that something could not be worked out. I am also
very sad that they are not talking to us. Perhaps I am expecting a reply too soon. I would like nothing better
than to be on right now.

At the end we had requested some remedy like a Year of free streaming OR until they could fix their
problem. The break point was when they said no, that was Monday. On Wednesday we proposed what
you see above which they said they were activly considering. Nothing since, no communication from them.
Maybe they think my back problems were too much, there were times it was tough to even walk home after
sitting for four hours. BTW, I chose to do four hours instead of the contracted three and if we had found a
way to continue I would have done so till I could no longer walk. So if you think I just wanted to quit you are
so wrong.

The only good news of the day is that Airyn's Family is safe after the Typhoon, we were very worried. Thank
God for that.

                                                                                                                            Art

 Just for the record, no I do not have any regrets. I feel I made the right decision, I did not want to be off
the air then, nor do I now, I only left after we asked for one Year of streaming or until theirs was fixed, they said no.
I just wanted it to have a chance to work properly. BTW you guy's and Gal's know me well, I can make life changing
decisions on a dime, I have always been that way for better or worse.

The one thing I can say is I have been honest with Sirius/XM and all of you through all of this. They have
not said yes or no, simply nothing.

My contract allowed for a 30 day out, they waived that on Monday when Paul and I talked to them. Within
48 hours we came back to them with a viable idea and I said I could be on air the next day. I do have a
two Year NC which I will honor if they hold me to it, should they release me from that I will do a stream
right away as I promised you I would do.

I am starting to wonder if there is some behind the scenes pressure coming from elswhere because otherwise
this was a total win-win situation.

                                                                                                                       Art

 Ok today again we heard nothing from Sirius. It is strange that we get no communication at all.

Just so you know, not any of this was done on the fly, before leaving on Monday I consulted with Paul
and Bob Crane my sponsor and they both agreed it was the right course of action.

On Wed we proposed becoming a Independent Broadcaster, which as with others at Sirius/XM would
have meant we could stream ourself, that was the goal. They said they were activley considering it and
we have not heard from them since. I told them I was willing to be on air the next day.

I wish I had more to report but for now that is it as of the close of business Friday on the East Coast.

                                                                                                            Art

 To answer your question, yes I have a two Year non compete. I am a bit puzzled
at the lack of response today but they are a big company and move slowly.

They may be concerned about my back problems, they are real and pretty awful
when they happen. It can cause me to lose a day or so because it is impossible to
move when it happens but so far I have always recovered.

                                                                                                 Art

 Well the tone was good, there is no tone to report today because there was no communication and
so that is all I am able to report. I try to be honest in my dealings with everybody and I have been
nothing but honest with Sirius/XM. I also am giving all of you the straight stuff.

When I was hired they just said come and have fun and if at any point you want to leave, no problem.
I didn't really want to leave, I just wanted a change in the structure to reflect what so many of their
other Host's do. I still think it would be a total win-win situation. They have not said yes and at the same
time they have not said no. I will let you know the moment I get word.

                                                                                                                       Art

Good evening everybody,

I wish I had some news but I have nothing to report. We have had no communication at all from
anybody at Sirius/XM. It was Monday I went off and on Wed we proposed that we act as a
Independent Broadcaster as many other Host's do on Sirius/XM which simply means we get no
pay and are then able to stream or even be on Broadcast stations at the same time. However we
said we would be exclusivly on Sirius/XM and only stream. They said they would activly consider the
proposal and they may well, be but as of yet no word. It is a shame because it woulkd have been a
big hit in my opinion. I will keep you informed of any change.

                                                                                                                Art

I have told Sirius/XM I can go on the air as soon as tomorrow if they wish. Do not get to excited yet. It is now up to them.
As you can see we are ready to do exactly what we said we would do. We are also prepared to deliver to as many as want
it. So, the ball is now in their court. Keith knows what he is doing. Paul is ready and I am ready. All we need is the go ahead
from Sirius.

                                                                                                                                            Art

 I almost hate to see this thread wind down, in life you almost never get to see such unmitigated hate
accross your screen. Long ago because of fast blast I learned to ignore it. When you do a show and have a
guest people think they hate you will see "dump this ass hole and go to open lines" and a lot more just
like it and much worse, in the end you have to do what you think is right and act on it. For the most part
by the end of the show you are getting messages like"best show I've ever heard". Once in a while you
do have to "dump the asshole" but if you follow the advice of a mob it almost always goes wrong.

This board is a lot like that. decisions that we are forced to make or make because we think they are the
right thing to do are just that, and if they turn out well your a genius, if not your dead to the World or at least
some posters on this board, but it is always fun to watch.

We are currently in talks with Sirius/XM which really knows how to deliver to vehicals very well. The idea is to
become Independent Broadcasters which means no pay from Sirius while still keeping it exclusivly Sirius/XM in
the Broadcast World, however we would then be free to stream free at artbell.com. Another words the best of
both Worlds. In the long run I think it would benefit all including Sirius/XM. I think this will work but if not we will
stream the show at the first opportunity, either way it will happen if I have to finance it myself, I will.

I know all this seemed very sudden to most of you but there was much going on behind the scenes you do not
know about and because it was said to me in confidence I am not free to discuss publicly, however I feel this is
the right decision. If I am wrong I am sure I will be dead to the World and some who post here.

I want the show to work at least as much as all of you but I have been at this for a while and I know what it
takes to be viable and when I say that I mean not just as a niche type show, viable Worldwide. I understand
that some of you are sooooo angry that you will not listen to the free steam and I will just have to find a way to
live with that.

                                                                                                                             Rage on,

                                                                                                                             Art

Jeez, I really need to go to bed but I will answer that, I love truck drivers, I thought of doing it myself! The comment
was made not just about truck drivers but everybody in a moving vehical with a cell phone that everybody could barely
understand. It should be a mix with some of the people at home as well. Sirius is a vehical oriented company which is fine,
but I want it to be a mix, which it will be with free streaming and that includes people outside the Country as well. Free streaming
means just that, free for all. Nobody with a radio in their car or truck is going to cancel because we make streaming available to all.


                                                                                                                                                This time it is good night...Art

By the way good night to all the ctc trolls as well, happy hunting

 It is about time for bed for me but to answer your question, yes free for all including people anywhere in the World. No,
I do not think Sirius is in any breach of contract, however their streaming did not work right a fact they admitted to me
along with things I am not at liberty to talk about here because they were given in confidence. I hope it works out but
either way I will attempt to do exactly as I said I would.

                                                                                                                           Taking my thin skin to bed now..Art

 My goodness I was watching a show on the DVR with my child Bride and come back to this?  Of course I am not going to commit sewerpipe, I said all that tounge in cheek and I did not say anything that was not said here and over and over, spread out over 106 pages or so. My skin as I age is indeed getting thinner but my public skin has never been thicker. I just thought you would like to see how the same words used here would sound coming from me. I have not changed my mind about free streaming and intend to make it a reality one way or the other. I have asked Sirius to allow me to act as a Private Broadcaster, then as other shows do, I could stay on Sirius and would be free to stream all I want.
If they go for that all will be well, It would mean no pay from Sirius but I am good with that, I do not need the money. If Sirius says no, then I will, at the first opportunity stream from artbell.com.

Again, I am sorry that some people invested in a radio or a stream and if a deal is not reached will have lost out. You do not know what
was going on behind the scenes for those six Weeks and if you did I think you might understand, or considering the makeup of some of this
group perhaps not, but I was trying to act in the interest of the listener, not myself.

I still love this board. There is something about the core group that is somewhat loveable and I still feel that way, I do know trolls when I see them, and I can guess where they slime in from. I am toying with the idea of new hours for the show....

There is only one good way to proceed and that is with a better product. That is what I intend to do.


                                                                                                                                                  Art