Hello my name is
BOB
BOB was the pioneering commercial-free satellite radio station that might have sounded playful, but it was, in fact, striking a match in turbulent times.
The early 2000s brought confusion, fear, and instability to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. During this era, global alternative rock became a powerful force, rebelling against wars, established norms, and patriarchy.
BOB ignited a generation.
Now, 25 years later, you can relive that era.
BOB has returned.
BOB the NEW ALTERNATIVE
Growing up in the developing world in the 2000s was a unique experience, shaped by rapid social, economic, and technological changes. While BOB was broadcasting across the totality of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, India accounted for about 95 percent of the listenership.
In India during the 2000s, Bollywood continued to dominate, but there was also a rise in foreign content. BOB’s international alternative sounds, innovative presentation, and digital production quality helped diversify the music scene with the advent of grunge and indie music.
India’s diversity was evident in social interactions, yet issues like caste discrimination, gender inequality, and poverty remained significant challenges. There was growing awareness of these social issues, with youth increasingly involved in activism, particularly around environmental and social justice causes.
BOB had a profound impact across India and the wider Asia region. The lyrics of alternative songs often addressed themes of social inequality, political unrest, and personal struggles, resonating with listeners who felt disillusioned with mainstream Asian society.BOB the VOICES
Richard Blade
Richard Blade was a recognizable voice on BOB, where his daily show introduced groundbreaking music to listeners across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Born in Bristol, England, Blade made his mark on American radio after relocating to California. He was instrumental in bringing new wave and alternative music to a wider audience from the 1980s onward.
Formerly an iconic DJ at KROQ-FM (1982-2000), Richard now hosts on Sirius XM's 1st Wave, a classic alternative station that traces its roots back to BOB.Freddy Scott
Back in the day, Fredy was a familiar face around Santa Ana, CA. His voice was all over BOB—featured in most promos, jingles, drops, and sweeps—showcasing his bizarre, offbeat humor.
He often stepped in unexpectedly, taking over full shifts behind the BOB mic whenever the scheduled DJ had a toothache or some other emergency that kept them away from the studio.
Where is he now?
Who knows!Stacy Soulimiotis
Stacy Soulimiotis, known on air as Stacy Soul, was a captivating presence on BOB.
She often mentioned Atlanta, GA, during her broadcasts, and her MySpace profile listed it as her location. However, it's unclear which studios she actually worked from, as her shows were likely voice-tracked.
Stacy remains something of a mystery. We do know she has a sister who was based in Hong Kong, and the last we heard, she was the campus coordinator at the CSB School of Broadcasting in Nashville, TN.BOB DIGITAL
BOB was the groundbreaking alternative rock channel of the Worldspace Satellite Radio Network.Launched on October 1, 2000, Worldspace broadcasted directly via the AfriStar and AsiaStar satellites to personal receivers, each the size of a typical portable transistor radio. Worldspace’s coverage spanned Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.For the first time, these regions gained access to 40 radio channels, offering audio free from the annoyances of traditional radio, such as static, reception noise, inconsistent quality, and stale programming. It was a remarkable achievement—Worldspace successfully implemented this futuristic technology in developing regions where traditional media infrastructure was sparse and typically government-controlled.Worldspace wasn’t just an entertainment platform; its primary mission was to deliver education, news, and promote health and social reforms in areas previously served largely by censored and restricted media. For instance, 5% of its satellite bandwidth was dedicated to essential programming on HIV/AIDS, agriculture, and women’s issues in Asia and the Middle East. The regional operations centers, located in Silver Spring, Maryland (USA) for AfriStar and Melbourne, Australia for AsiaStar, managed satellite performance across these regions.Despite having over 170,000 subscribers, Worldspace proved unsustainable and went into liquidation in 2008. The rapid evolution of mobile technology outpaced satellite radio, making it expensive and less adaptable, particularly in Africa and Asia.Today, BOB’s master control and primary production studio in Silver Spring is still in use by SiriusXM, Worldspace’s direct descendant, which continues to produce satellite and digital streaming content across the USA and Canada. As technology evolves, alt-rock radio persists, and BOB pioneered a path that now serves billions of listeners worldwide.
BOB's LEGACY
BOB launched during a time of massive social change and disruption across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Societies were being transformed not only by technological advancements, economic liberalization, and a newfound emphasis on education, but also by the rise of a growing middle class and an increased interest in global cultures, ideas, and educational opportunities.
The era was also marked by warfare, and somewhat controversially, BOB became popular among troops in the U.S. Bush Administration’s coalition during the War on Terror, with free receivers distributed to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although BOB’s programming never directly referenced the wars, the alt-rock music of the time often provided critical commentary on the conflicts.
BOB was largely modeled on the alternative format famously pioneered by KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, CA, and many involved in BOB had a history with KROQ.
BOB’s uninterrupted (except for brief jock banter and jingles), non-commercial format of continuous Alt-Rock, EMO, and Grunge music spurred an explosion of commercial rock and pop stations on FM radio across Asia as countries liberalized their previously restrictive grip on broadcasting. In many ways, BOB and Worldspace acted as catalysts for broadcasting reforms in the region, similar to the impact of ship-based pirate radio stations like Radio Caroline in Europe decades earlier.
Due to various financial problems, Worldspace eventually collapsed and morphed into what is now SiriusXM satellite radio.
The iconic Sirius and XM stations—FRED, ETHEL, and LUCY—were all built upon BOB’s foundation, as are today’s SiriusXM alternative stations LITHIUM, ALT NATION, and 1st WAVE.
In Asia, Seribatu’s VOLCANO and KOMODO stations continue the BOB legacy with a 180-degree twist, featuring American DJs presenting emerging and cutting-edge alternative and indie music from Asian bands.