Regis Philbin Returns as Special Guest Host of “Bing Crosby Christmas Radio” Channel on SiriusXM
Limited-run holiday channel features vintage Bing Crosby holiday radio programs
Personal anecdotes and memories from Bing’s wife Kathryn, daughter Mary, sons Nathaniel and Harry Crosby
For the first time, “Bing’s Basement” collection of outtakes, rarities and obscurities from Crosby’s personal vault to be featured on SiriusXM channel
NEW YORK–December 19, 2012– Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced that legendary entertainer Regis Philbin will return as the special guest host of “Bing Crosby Christmas Radio,” a limited-run holiday channel celebrating Crosby’s life and legacy by airing his beloved, classic radio broadcasts from 1942 -1962 brimming with celebrity guests and musical performances, plus a rare recording of Crosby reciting the iconic poem “The Night Before Christmas.” This year for the first time, SiriusXM’s “Bing Crosby Christmas Radio” will feature special presentations of “Bing’s Basement,” a collection of Christmas-related outtakes, rarities and obscurities from the personal Crosby vault.
“Bing Crosby Christmas Radio” will air from December 19 at 3:00 pm ET through December 26 at 3:00 am ET on SiriusXM channel 142, online on SiriusXM Internet Radio channel 762 and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and mobile devices in the Holiday category.
On “Bing Crosby Christmas Radio,” Bing’s wife Kathryn Crosby, daughter Mary Crosby and sons Harry and Nathaniel share memories, introduce songs and shows and reflect on Crosby’s life and work. In addition, Philbin shares with listeners why Crosby’s songs mean so much to him and plays his favorite Bing Crosby Christmas records.
“When I was a kid, my Christmas dream was to be Bing Crosby—I wanted to sing like him,” said Regis Philbin. “Bing personified Christmas, and it’s a thrill for me to celebrate his timeless voice and cherished holiday gems with generations of fans and listeners across the country.”
“With Bing’s music and Regis as host of ‘Bing Crosby Christmas Radio,’ you have another Christmas present under your tree,” Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “We love bringing this channel to our listeners every holiday season—especially this year with the added gift of rare material from the personal vault of Bing himself.”
“Bing Crosby Christmas Radio” features Crosby with special guests including: Rosemary Clooney, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Orson Welles, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, The Andrews Sisters, Johnny Mercer, Ethel Barrymore, Edgar Bergen and his daughter, a young Candice Bergen.
The channel features Crosby’s most popular recording ever, “White Christmas,” as well as numerous Christmastime radio specials he hosted over the years, including: “Christmas Sing with Bing,” “The Bing Crosby Show,” “Philco Radio Time” and “Kraft Music Hall.” Listeners will also be treated to “The Bob Hope Radio Show” from Christmas Day 1950 featuring Crosby as Bob’s special guest, as well as a rare recording of Crosby reciting the classic poem “The Night Before Christmas.”
Crosby was a major radio star from 1931 to 1962. He appeared on approximately 4,000 radio broadcasts, nearly 3,400 of them his own programs.
Philbin is the proud recipient of five Emmy® Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Broadcasting & Cable Lifetime Achievement Award, the Walter Camp Distinguished American Award at Yale University, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2006, was inducted into both the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame.
Visit www.siriusxm.com/holiday and www.bingcrosby.com for more information.
