In the aftermath of Bob Edwards's recent announcement that he is leaving NPR to host a program on XM Satellite Radio's new Public Radio channel, satellite radio is suddenly beginning to attract a lot of attention from public radio listeners and producers alike.

This was by no means satellite radio's first foray into the public radio landscape. Since its inception, XM had offered a channel for the BBC World Service, and its rival Sirius Satellite Radio had previously arranged an exclusive deal to offer NPR programming on two channels (NPR Talk and NPR Now), in addition to separate channels for PRI, the BBC, and the World Radio Network.

But the premiere of The Bob Edwards Show on October 4th is a major milestone nonetheless. Up until now, most of Sirius and XM's news and talk programming was produced elsewhere--such as NPR, BBC, C-SPAN, CNN, Fox News, or Air America--and simply repackaged and rebroadcast for satellite radio subscribers. XM's deal with Edwards, however, marks the most notable example so far of satellite radio originating news, talk, and public affairs material that can't be heard anywhere else.

With more channels likely on the way, as well as a willingness by both networks to experiment with new and original content on existing channels, the question arises: What potential opportunities exist for independent producers? The quick answer is not many right now, though that may change in the future. Currently, the only channel on either network that takes pitches on a regular basis is Sirius OutQ--the gay and lesbian channel (see sidebar). But several AIR members--including David Gans, Tom Lopez, and Joe Bevilacqua--have managed to get their work aired on various XM channels.

Joe Bevilacqua's Comedy-O-Rama Hour airs several times per week on XM's Sonic Theater channel. The program is a mixture of pre-produced radio theater he's performed over the years, as well as some new material he produces specifically for XM. Because radio theater is generally hard to find on traditional radio, Bevilacqua said he's happy to have found a national outlet for his work. Plus, he said he has complete creative freedom with his show, so he uses his slot as a laboratory to become a better producer by experimenting with things that "just aren't done on the radio." Producing the show has opened doors for him by getting him more work on other programs and attracting big name celebrities like Al Franken, who will participate in an upcoming election special.

But here's the catch--Joe Bevilacqua doesn't get paid for producing the Comedy-O-Rama Hour. "I hear a lot of talk from other producers that they won't do anything unless they get paid," he explained, "but there are more ways to get paid than just monetary." He said he figures he is "paid with karma" because the show gives him an opportunity to get his foot in the door while satellite radio is in its infancy. "But the opportunities will be there. The people who get in on the ground floor now are the ones who will benefit in the long-run." Bevilacqua equates his experience to the beginning of traditional broadcasting. "When radio was created, it was new, and no one was paid, but those original people became radio's stars later on."

AIR member Tom Lopez doesn't get paid either for his audio theater productions that air on XM. But unlike Bevilacqua, he hasn't spent any time producing original content specifically for the satellite- listening audience. Because the material is already produced and "it's just sitting there," Lopez said he's glad to have an opportunity to broadcast it, even if he never receives any compensation.

But for many independent producers, the economic realities of working as a fulltime freelancer may forbid pro bono employment. Asked whether he envisions indies ever making a living from producing content for satellite radio, XM's Director of Corporate Affairs David Butler said, "Certainly." As XM continues to grow, he said, the market potential is enormous, and outside contractors producing original content will likely play a greater role in XM's future.

Jeremy Coleman, Sirius's vice-president of talk information and entertainment programming, agreed. Unlike XM, Sirius already pays some independent producers for content, he noted. He also believes independent producers can absolutely make a living producing from Sirius in the future.

With satellite radio still a relatively new technology, though, it is unclear whether these are realistic forecasts or just hopeful optimism.

In announcing his decision to join XM's lineup, Bob Edwards said, "Satellite radio now is where NPR was when I started there. NPR was only something like three years old, and no one was really sure how the idea of noncommercial broadcasting would work out. Obviously it did, and I think XM will show the same kind of growth."

Although the continued success of XM and Sirius is pretty much guaranteed, specifics of the potential role of independent producers in that process have yet to be determined.

Scott Gurian is the News Director of KGOU Public Radio in the Oklahoma City area, and he's a former producer at Pacifica Radio. He studied radio documentary at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine. His e-mail address is: sgurian@earthlink.net.