Sebastian Maniscalco says he played no part in SiriusXM ending its Raw Comedy channel

Sebastian Maniscalco wants comedians to know he did not pull the plug on SiriusXM's Raw Comedy channel.

The comedian addressed the backlash in his Instagram Stories on Wednesday. He said he hears his fellow comics and supports them because he knows how hard the grind is from his own early years.

Whose decision it was

Maniscalco said SiriusXM decided to drop Raw Comedy before he joined its lineup. He said he is now working with the company to feature a wide range of stand-up acts, from newcomers and rising comics to well-known names. He asked comedians to give him time and said he believes they will like the result.

SiriusXM backed him up. The company said it ended Raw Comedy because the channel was underperforming and that the call came before Maniscalco signed on. It added that the problems facing working comedians are bigger than any one person or decision and said it remains committed to giving comics at every stage a place to be heard.

Why comics were upset

The change sparked an outcry from comedians, including Margaret Cho, who criticized the loss of airtime for lesser-known working comics. Raw Comedy had spotlighted up-and-coming talent. Some comics said losing the channel also cost them exposure along with royalty income.