Finding your favorite stations on Sirius XM shouldn‘t require scrolling through endless menus while you‘re trying to drive. Whether you‘re a new subscriber or just need a refresher on where to find your preferred content, having a complete Sirius XM channel list at your fingertips makes your listening experience much more enjoyable.
As satellite radio continues to evolve, Sirius XM remains the dominant player in the space, offering hundreds of channels across music, sports, talk, news, and entertainment. This comprehensive guide breaks down the entire Sirius XM channel lineup by category, making it easy to locate exactly what you want to hear.
The Evolution of Sirius XM‘s Channel Architecture
The current Sirius XM channel lineup represents over two decades of development in satellite radio technology. When Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio launched as separate companies in 2001 and 2002 respectively, they utilized different channel numbering systems and satellite technologies. The 2008 merger necessitated a complete reorganization of the channel lineup to create a unified experience.
Initially, the post-merger channel lineup maintained some separation between legacy Sirius and XM channels. However, by 2011, Sirius XM had fully integrated its offerings into a cohesive numbering system that grouped channels by genre rather than by original provider. This strategic reorganization created the foundation for the logical channel structure we see today.
From a technical perspective, Sirius XM‘s channel architecture is built around efficient bandwidth allocation. Unlike traditional FM radio which dedicates a fixed amount of spectrum to each station regardless of audio quality needs, Sirius XM dynamically allocates bandwidth based on content type. Talk channels typically receive less bandwidth than music channels, allowing the service to maximize its channel offerings within limited satellite spectrum.
Sirius XM Subscription Plans and Channel Access
Your channel access depends on your subscription level. Sirius XM currently offers several main subscription tiers:
| Plan | Channels | Key Features | Typical Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 425+ | All music, talk, sports, Howard Stern | $22.99 |
| Music & Entertainment | 400+ | Most music and talk, limited sports | $17.99 |
| Music Showcase | 100+ | Music-focused, limited talk | $12.99 |
| Streaming Only | Varies by plan | Mobile and home listening | $10.99+ |
| Essential Streaming | 200+ | Ad-free music, some talk | $7.99 |
According to Sirius XM‘s quarterly reports, approximately 65% of subscribers opt for the Music & Entertainment plan, while 25% choose Platinum for its comprehensive offerings. The remaining 10% select specialized or entry-level plans.
An interesting data point: Sirius XM‘s internal analytics reveal that the average subscriber regularly listens to just 7-10 channels, despite having access to hundreds. This pattern has influenced how the company structures its channel lineup, placing the most popular options in easily accessible number ranges.
Music Channels: The Core of Sirius XM‘s Offering
Pop Music Channels
| Channel Number | Station Name | Format | Notable DJs/Hosts | Launch Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | SiriusXM Hits 1 | Contemporary Hit Radio | Nicole Ryan, Ryan Sampson | 2001 |
| 3 | The Coffee House | Acoustic Pop | Meg Griffin | 2006 |
| 4 | TikTok Radio | Viral Pop | Various TikTok creators | 2021 |
| 5 | The Pulse | Adult Pop | Richard Blade | 2008 |
| 6 | PopRocks | 90s/2000s Pop Rock | Jim Shearer | 2011 |
| 7 | 70s on 7 | 1970s Hits | Kid Kelly | 2001 |
| 8 | 80s on 8 | 1980s Hits | Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood | 2001 |
| 9 | 90s on 9 | 1990s Hits | Downtown Julie Brown | 2001 |
| 10 | Pop2K | 2000s Pop | Lance Bass | 2008 |
| 11 | The 10s Spot | 2010s Hits | Rich Davis | 2019 |
| 12 | Kelly Clarkson Connection | Kelly Clarkson-curated | Kelly Clarkson | 2022 |
| 13 | Pitbull‘s Globalization | Global Dance Hits | Pitbull | 2015 |
| 14 | Life with John Mayer | John Mayer-curated | John Mayer | 2022 |
| 15 | Mosaic | Adult Contemporary | Christine Malovetz | 2017 |
| 16 | The Blend | Soft Pop Mix | Marty Brooks | 2001 |
| 17 | Yacht Rock Radio | Soft Rock Classics | Steve Lukather | 2015 |
| 72 | 50s Gold | 1950s Hits | Pat St. John | 2001 |
| 73 | 60s Gold | 1960s Hits | Phlash Phelps | 2001 |
| 76 | Elvis Radio | All Elvis Presley | Big Jim Sykes | 2004 |
| 79 | The Billy Joel Channel | All Billy Joel | Billy Joel | 2014 |
| 105 | SiriusXM 105 | Pop Variety | Various | 2020 |
| 301 | Road Trip Radio | Travel-friendly Mix | Various | 2018 |
| 302 | Andy Cohen‘s Kiki Lounge | Dance Pop | Andy Cohen | 2021 |
| 303 | Pandora Now | Trending Hits | Various | 2019 |
SiriusXM Hits 1 (channel 2) serves as the flagship pop station, featuring current hits and emerging tracks that are climbing the charts. According to Sirius XM‘s internal metrics, this channel consistently ranks in the top 5 most-listened-to stations across the platform, with over 4.2 million weekly listeners.
For a more relaxed vibe, The Coffee House (channel 3) offers acoustic versions of popular songs and singer-songwriter selections that pair perfectly with your morning routine. This channel has seen a 35% growth in listenership since 2019, reflecting the increasing popularity of acoustic-focused content.
One of the more recent additions, TikTok Radio (channel 4), showcases viral songs from the popular social media platform, keeping listeners connected to trending music. This channel represents Sirius XM‘s strategic effort to attract younger listeners, with internal data showing that 68% of its audience is under 30 years old.
For those who prefer specific decades, the numbered channels (70s on 7, 80s on 8, etc.) provide nostalgic playlists curated by knowledgeable DJs who lived through those eras. These decade-specific channels collectively account for approximately 22% of all Sirius XM music listening hours, according to the company‘s 2023 listener analysis.
Rock Music Channels
| Channel Number | Station Name | Format | Notable DJs/Hosts | Launch Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | The Beatles Channel | All Beatles | Dennis Elsas | 2017 |
| 19 | Bob Marley‘s Tuff Gong Radio | Reggae/Bob Marley | Pat McKay | 2020 |
| 20 | E Street Radio | Bruce Springsteen | Jim Rotolo | 2005 |
| 21 | Underground Garage | Garage Rock | Little Steven | 2004 |
| 22 | Pearl Jam Radio | All Pearl Jam | Various | 2010 |
| 23 | Grateful Dead Channel | All Grateful Dead | David Gans | 2007 |
| 24 | Radio Margaritaville | Jimmy Buffett/Trop Rock | Steve Huntington | 2005 |
| 25 | Classic Rewind | 70s/80s Rock | Earle Bailey | 2002 |
| 26 | Classic Vinyl | 60s/70s Rock | Meg Griffin | 2001 |
| 27 | The Bridge | Soft Rock | Anita Gevinson | 2006 |
| 28 | The Spectrum | Adult Album Alternative | Earle Bailey | 2009 |
| 29 | Phish Radio | All Phish | Ari Fink | 2018 |
| 30 | Dave Matthews Band Radio | All DMB | Ari Fink | 2018 |
| 31 | Tom Petty Radio | All Tom Petty | Mark Felsot | 2015 |
| 32 | U2 X-Radio | All U2 | Various | 2020 |
| 33 | 1st Wave | 80s Alternative | Richard Blade | 2008 |
| 34 | Lithium | 90s Alternative | Jeff Regan | 2008 |
| 35 | SiriusXMU | Indie Rock | Jenny Eliscu | 2008 |
| 36 | Alt Nation | Modern Alternative | Jeff Regan | 2002 |
| 37 | Octane | Hard Rock | Jose Mangin | 2002 |
| 38 | Ozzy‘s Boneyard | Classic Metal | Ozzy Osbourne | 2012 |
| 39 | Hair Nation | 80s Hair Metal | Keith Roth | 2002 |
| 40 | Liquid Metal | Heavy Metal | Jose Mangin | 2002 |
| 41 | SiriusXM Turbo | 90s/2000s Hard Rock | Wade Lux | 2013 |
| 308 | Deep Tracks | Deep Classic Rock | Carol Miller | 2001 |
| 309 | Jam On | Jam Bands | Ari Fink | 2001 |
| 312 | Bon Jovi Radio | All Bon Jovi | Various | 2020 |
| 313 | Alt2K | 2000s Alternative | Various | 2019 |
| 314 | Faction Punk | Punk Rock | Various | 2004 |
| 315 | Whole Lotta Red Hot | Red Hot Chili Peppers | Various | 2022 |
Rock fans are particularly well-served by Sirius XM, with dedicated artist channels like The Beatles Channel (18), E Street Radio (20) for Bruce Springsteen fans, and Pearl Jam Radio (22). These artist-focused stations often include rare tracks, live performances, and commentary from the artists themselves. According to Sirius XM‘s 2023 listener data, artist-dedicated channels average 27% longer listening sessions than genre-based channels, indicating higher engagement.
For broader rock categories, Classic Vinyl (26) focuses on the foundational rock from the ‘60s and ‘70s, while Lithium (34) celebrates the grunge and alternative rock that defined the ‘90s. Metal fans can headbang to Liquid Metal (40) or Ozzy‘s Boneyard (38), which features classic and contemporary heavy metal.
An interesting technical note: rock channels typically receive higher bandwidth allocation in Sirius XM‘s transmission system to preserve the dynamic range essential for guitar-driven music. This results in a noticeably higher audio quality compared to some talk or news channels.
Hip-Hop/R&B Music Channels
| Channel Number | Station Name | Format | Notable DJs/Hosts | Launch Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Sound 42 | Drake-curated | Drake | 2021 |
| 43 | Rock the Bells Radio | Classic Hip-Hop | LL Cool J | 2018 |
| 44 | Hip-Hop Nation | Contemporary Hip-Hop | Torae | 2001 |
| 45 | Shade 45 | Eminem‘s Hip-Hop | Sway Calloway | 2004 |
| 46 | The Heat | R&B Hits | DJ Carisma | 2003 |
| 47 | Heart & Soul | R&B Classics | Cayman Kelly | 2001 |
| 48 | The Flow | Classic Hip-Hop | Heather B | 2019 |
| 49 | Flex2K | 2000s Hip-Hop | DJ Whoo Kid | 2020 |
| 50 | SiriusXM Fly | 90s/2000s Hip-Hop | Heather B | 2015 |
| 51 | The Groove | Disco/Funk | Pam Miller | 2003 |
| 74 | Smokey‘s Soul Town | Classic Soul | Smokey Robinson | 2018 |
| 330 | SiriusXM Silk | Smooth R&B | Keith Sweat | 2020 |
| 332 | Shaggy‘s Boombastic Radio | Reggae/Dancehall | Shaggy | 2022 |
Hip-hop enthusiasts have plenty of options, from contemporary hits on Hip-Hop Nation (44) to Eminem‘s Shade 45 (45), which features cutting-edge rap and hip-hop curated by the legendary artist himself. For R&B lovers, Heart & Soul (47) delivers soulful ballads and smooth jams, while The Groove (51) focuses on funk and R&B classics.
Sound 42 (42), curated by Drake, offers exclusive premieres and tracks selected by the artist, making it a must-listen for fans of contemporary hip-hop and R&B. According to Sirius XM‘s quarterly reports, artist-curated channels like Sound 42 have seen a 42% increase in listenership since 2020, highlighting the value of celebrity curation.
Smokey‘s Soul Town (74), hosted by the legendary Smokey Robinson, celebrates classic Motown and soul music from the ‘60s and ‘70s. This channel exemplifies Sirius XM‘s strategy of leveraging music legends to provide context and stories behind the music, creating a more immersive listening experience than algorithm-based playlists.
Dance/Electronic Music Channels
| Channel Number | Station Name | Format | Notable DJs/Hosts | Launch Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | BPM | Electronic Dance | Geronimo | 2001 |
| 53 | Diplo‘s Revolution | Global Dance | Diplo | 2018 |
| 54 | Studio 54 Radio | Disco Classics | Marc Benecke | 2011 |
| 55 | SiriusXM Chill | Downtempo Electronic | Rona Elliot | 2002 |
| 340 | Radio Monaco | European Dance | Various | 2019 |
| 341 | Utopia | Progressive House | Armin van Buuren | 2020 |
BPM (52) serves as the primary electronic dance music channel, featuring current club hits and remixes. Diplo‘s Revolution (53), curated by the famous DJ and producer, showcases global dance music trends and emerging artists. For a more relaxed electronic experience, SiriusXM Chill (55) offers downtempo and ambient selections perfect for unwinding.
Studio 54 Radio (54) takes listeners back to the iconic disco era with classic dance tracks and stories from the legendary New York nightclub. This channel perfectly captures the energy and excitement of the disco movement that changed music forever.
According to Sirius XM‘s listener analytics, dance music channels see significant usage spikes on Friday and Saturday evenings, with listenership increasing by up to 78% compared to weekday averages. This pattern has influenced programming decisions, with special weekend mixes and guest DJs scheduled during peak listening times.
