SIRIUS CANADA INC. CONDEMNS ILLEGAL SELLING OF SATELLITE RADIO SUBSCRIPTIONS Sirius Canada Release SIRIUS Canada Inc., through its solicitors, has sent strong letters to certain retailers and/or distributors in Western and Northern Canada asking them to stop what appears to be the selling of illegal "grey market" subscriptions to satellite radio service provided in the U.S. by one of SIRIUS Canada's shareholders, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Inc.
In an effort to capitalize on pent-up demand for satellite radio, these Canadian dealers appear to be providing U.S. addresses that allow Canadian residents to illegally obtain service from SIRIUS in the U.S.
This practice may subject the providers of the addresses, as well as the consumers who take advantage of them, to penalties under Canada's Radiocommunication Act.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Standard Radio Inc. have partnered with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Inc. to enter the Canadian market legally. Together they have formed SIRIUS Canada Inc., which has applied for a Canadian license, and is awaiting the decision of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
"While we certainly understand the growing demand for satellite radio in Canada, we cannot condone illegal activity," said SIRIUS Canada CEO, Kevin Shea. "SIRIUS Canada hopes to be able to offer a legal Canadian service soon, should our application be approved by the CRTC."
If licensed, SIRIUS Canada will provide Canadians access to up to 120 channels of commercial-free music, as well as compelling talk shows, news and information, and exciting sports programming in digital-quality sound. The service would initially include two English and two French-language services from CBC/Radio-Canada, and a new music service to be produced by Standard Radio Inc.
A Canadian-owned and controlled satellite radio service would benefit Canadian artists, according to SIRIUS Canada. In addition to reaching Canadians no matter where they live in Canada, Canadian channels would also be exported into the U.S., providing Canadian artists with exposure to millions of American subscribers.
SIRIUS Canada has also committed up to $22 million to support Canadian programming and the development of Canadian talent, through contributions to organizations such as FACTOR and MusicAction. Satellite radio's economic benefits are also expected to extend beyond the music industry to Canadian businesses in the retail, automotive, marketing, and manufacturing sectors. |