Art Bell is returning to the air September 16th on Sirius XM Radio channel 104.  His website is active now, at http://artbell.com/.

Sirius is a pay-for satellite network.  You can also receive programming via the Internet for the same amount of money.  That’s the downside.  The upside is that since it is subscription based, there are no commercials, and thus no sponsors directing what is acceptable or not on air, nor does the F.C.C. sensor satellite radio so it ought to be interesting.  The cost should you desire to listen is $14.95 per month and that also gives you access to many other Sirius XM stations.

I’ve always enjoyed Art Bell, not just for the material content but because he is who he is.  When he was on the air before, he had his own studio in his home, complete with cart machines which lead to a rather humorous (from the listeners perspective) event in which he attempted to repair a cart rack with superglue and, in the process, glued his lips together, during a broadcast.  I wish that would happen to politicians on a more permanent basis.  But I respect the fact that he is knowledgeable and capable enough to create the show himself, do his own mixing, queuing, much of his own engineering, and even research guests for his show.  In the old days even answered lines unscreened, which is something clear channel ruined.

I’m happy that soon there will be at least one non-automated non-drone, real human being on the air again.  Wish it weren’t just satellite.