LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Rapper Eminem will launch his widely expected satellite music radio channel called Shade 45 on October 28 with a live broadcast of a concert from New York, the Sirius network said Thursday.
In July, Eminem, his Shady Records label, Interscope Records and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc said they would launch the channel, but a date had not been announced at that time. His new album, "Encore," is set for release November 16.
Sirius recently signed another controversial figure, shock jock Howard Stern, to a five-year, $500 million contract to move his syndicated morning show from Infinity Broadcasting to satellite radio, which is subscription-based and free from government restrictions on the content it airs.
Eminem has stirred controversy in the past with his fast-paced raps that are often construed as being homophobic and misogynistic. This week, Michael Jackson called a new Eminem video "demeaning and insensitive" because the so-called "king of pop" is depicted in scenes surrounded by young boys or with his nose falling off.
In a statement, Sirius said the new channel, Shade 45, will feature a full lineup of hip hop music, stars and song mixers, and it will have no filters or commercial restrictions.
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