Saul Levine got an early start playing Christmas music on his K-Mozart HD radio stream (105.1 HD2), and I wonder if that played a role in SiriusXM’s decision to launch some of its own holiday programming earlier than normal.

Some programming started Nov. 1, both over the air and online or a combination of the two.

Featured programming includes:

Holiday Traditions, Channel 71: Traditional music from Nat “King” Cole, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams with a focus on the 1940s through the ’60s.

Holly, Channel 79: “Contemporary” songs from Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Dean Martin and more. Dean Martin? Yes. Basically, these are the songs you’d hear on the radio covering the ’60s through today.

Hallmark Radio, Channel 105: Holiday music as you’d hear it in a Hallmark movie.

Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Radio, Channel 17: Songs said to be chosen for airplay by late night host Fallon, along with humorous stories related to the holiday season.

There is more coming over the airwaves starting in December, and much more already available on the SiriusXM app. Head to SiriusXM.com for details.

mail bag

“Thank you for recommending the YouTube selection of Jimmy Rabbitt’s demo for KZLA. I found it very entertaining and quite refreshing when compared to what passes for Country Music on today’s commercial airwaves. Based on this example, I would like to recommend that you listen to ‘Cryin’ Time’ on KUCR (88.3). This program plays genuine country music from the classic period of the genre. Unfortunately, it airs at the atrocious hour of 2:00 a.m. but it is available on the KUCR Archives, found on the station’s website: www.kucr.org.”

— Bill Seymour, Calimesa

Good find … I will check it out! KUCR is on the campus of UC Riverside.

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“I hope you can help me. Do you know of any radio station that still plays music from the ’50s and ’60s?”

— Setsuko Otsuki

Unfortunately, nothing locally, unless you have an HD radio that decodes digital streams sent via the regular airwaves. L.A. Oldies K-SURF can be found at 105.1 HD3, and it does play some of what you want … but only if you have an HD radio. Unlike most other HD stations, K-SURF does not stream online.

However, if you have a way to connect a phone to your home or car stereo, or if you have a smart speaker or don’t mind listening on a computer, there are lots of choices. Apps such as TuneIn, MyTunerRadio, StreamS and even iHeart feature an abundance of music you’d like. And don’t forget AccuRadio.com, at which you can essentially build your own station. It plays fine, though is a bit cumbersome at first, on smartphones as well as on computers.

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“I like your articles about 105.1 HD 2. Unfortunately, while I can get all other Los Angeles HD stations, I cannot pick up 105.1’s HD streams anymore, even though I used to be able to get them. It’s been a long time. I liked the history of KUSC, too. I love 1260 AMs new format, but Todd Rundgren and Steely Dan — not country artists — pop up, yet I think instead they need go deeper on artists like Conway Twitty, Tom T Hall, and Charlie Pride.”

— Joe Costanzo

It’s interesting. I have heard both compliments and complaints about the soft pop occasionally mixed in with the classic country on Go Country Gold KKGO. I’d like to hear from others. I do know that they are still adding to the playlist, so the artists mentioned may have more songs coming. If you have suggestions, send them my way and I’ll forward them over.

Regarding the signal, one thing I have noticed is that the good weather we’ve been having has allowed distant signals to come in strong. Stations in proximity frequencywise to L.A. stations are wreaking havoc on some of the locals, especially the HDs. You might consider using an app.

I’ve always wondered: Why didn’t the HD radio design team include buffering on the extra channels so they could be received more reliably … and without dropping out?

Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com