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Five Questions at Ultra: Jonathan 'Geronimo' Broth, SiriusXM's EDM Guru, on This Year's Plans

Geronimo, AKA Jonathan Broth, is the director of music programming, electronic & dance formats at SiriusXM, where he oversees channels including BPM, Electric Area, and Tiesto’s Club Life Radio. Billboard caught up with Geronimo in the SiriusXM / Sol Republic / Motorola Music Lounge at the W South Beach, where he discussed the network’s recent growth, plans for 2013, and his own highlights of Miami Music Week so far.

How has the electronic business at SiriusXM grown in the past 12 months?
It has absolutely exploded. We were already jumping on it several years ago, but now it’s at the point where we don’t have enough channels to support all the big name DJs. Every day it gets bigger and bigger.

What do you have planned for expansion in 2013?
I think in terms of expansion, it’ll definitely be in the online area. Last year we added Tiesto’s Club Life Radio online, and I believe we’re going to continue to do that. We are launching Ultra Music Festival Radio after the Electric Area takeover ends, and that’ll be an online pop-up channel for 30 days. We’re going to continue to do things like that and expand the genre even further.

How do you describe both your and SiriusXM’s role in expanding the electronic music scene?
I just am kind of like one of the guys on the street: I keep an ear out for what’s big and what’s happening, and everything else we leave up to the company.

What’s your goal for Miami 2013?
I just want to continue to see some really cool, innovative DJ sets. I’ve seen some amazing DJ sets so far: Bassnectar at Ultra blew me away for week 1, a pair of guys called Classixx from LA, I loved what they did and got really excited about them. I believe we’re going to launch something with them shortly on SiriusXM.

What’s the best event you’ve been to so far?
Definitely SiriusXM at our lounge. Day one was Tiesto’s anniversary party for the launch of his channel. Krewella and Calvin Harris today, and then tomorrow it’s Armin Van Buuren. It’s going to be a massive blowout tomorrow. [Billboard.biz]