The Highway (Sirius XM)
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. 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. 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" with Buzz Brainard. Country music singer, songwriter, and TV personality Kellie Pickler is a Highway radio host, heard weekdays from 11am to 3pm Central time. The channel spotlights new music through its "Highway Finds" feature. This changed the music business by giving airplay to unsigned and independent artists, creating fresh stars. The channel bypasses the traditional record company  lock on the business. Exclusive programming includes artist "Town Hall" broadcasts with Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, and Ronnie Dunn, and live concerts with Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, and The Band Perry.