Sebastian Maniscalco’s SiriusXM channel is hurting up-and-coming talent, comics say

<figure> <img alt="A photo of Sebastian Maniscalco" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/gettyimages-2258553481.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is facing backlash from fellow comics who claim his takeover of SiriusXM's Raw Comedy channel is harming up-and-coming talent, as <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/10/sebastian-maniscalco-siriusxm-controversy-raw-dog-airplay-1237147151/">reported earlier by <em>Deadline</em></a>. Many established comics, including <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DeH0OG6R9Ud/">Patton Oswalt</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DeIB5C4ywO4/">Margaret Cho</a>, have posted videos online calling on Maniscalco to carry on Raw Comedy's legacy by highlighting newer comedians on his channel, instead of mostly focusing on well-known ones.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">SiriusXM <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/04/sebastian-maniscalco-launching-siriusxm-show-channel-1236784845/">launched Sebastian Maniscalco's Comedy Radio</a> in April, which is "curated and headlined by Sebastian himself," according to <a href="https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/sebastian-maniscalco-siriusxm-comedy-channel">the satellite radio provider</a>. The move replaced SiriusXM's long-running Raw Comedy c …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/1006221/sebastian-maniscalco-siriusxm-channel-controversy">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>