Legendary rock band METALLICA will host its own music channel on Sirius XM. "Mandatory Metallica" will be broadcast on Sirius channel 27 and XM channel 42 and will debut on Saturday, March 14 starting at 6:00 p.m. ET and run through Monday, April 13 at 3:00 a.m. ET. The launch of Sirius XM's "Mandatory Metallica" channel coincides with the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009.

"METALLICA is one of the most influential and distinctive bands in the world," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, Sirius XM radio. "We are thrilled to broadcast 'Mandatory Metallica' for Sirius XM listeners and give METALLICA fans a place to go to hear all the music, interviews and rarities with this incredible rock band all in one place for thirty days."

"Mandatory Metallica" will air classic METALLICA music 24/7 as well as new songs from the band's recent release, "Death Magnetic", which debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in less than six weeks. The channel will also feature interviews with METALLICA guitarist and singer James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo.

In addition to interviews with all four band members, "Mandatory Metallica" will air exclusive interviews with other artists sharing their personal insights about METALLICA's influence on music, including LINKIN PARK, SLIPKNOT, DISTURBED, GUNS N’ ROSES, CHRIS CORNELL, RUSH, ASHES DIVIDE, BLACK STONE CHERRY, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, ATREYU, CINDERELLA, MASTODON, JUDAS PRIEST, DRAGONFORCE, TRIUMPH, TESLA and others.

"Mandatory Metallica" will offer fans exclusive access to the band and their music. The limited-run channel aired exclusively on XM in 2008 and will be available to Sirius subscribers for the first time. The channel will feature virtually every METALLICA song ever recorded, plus rare live cuts from the band's personal archives.