SIRIUS CANADA DELIGHTED WITH GOVERNMENT'S CONFIRMATION OF CRTC SATELLITE RADIO DECISION Will bring subscription satellite radio service to market in Canada shortly CNW Sirius Canada announced it is pleased with the Federal Government's cabinet decision to confirm the CRTC decision granting of satellite radio licenses in Canada.
"Sirius Canada is delighted that cabinet has confirmed the CRTC's decision and we look forward to bringing satellite radio service to Canadians as quickly as possible," said Kevin Shea, President, CEO, Sirius Canada. "Having listened and responded to the concerns expressed over the recent weeks, we are confident that will be bringing a stronger product to market, a product that meets the unique needs of Canadian listeners, and artists."
"The CRTC decision is good news for Canadian artists because it will provide an unprecedented platform to reach a larger audience," said Gary Slaight, President and CEO, Standard Broadcasting, Sirius Canada partner. "In addition, Canadian artists will benefit from Sirius Canada's planned $22 million investment toward French and English talent development initiatives over the next 7 years."
Canadian artists will also benefit from a Canadian Talent Coordinator based in New York to promote Canadian artists and performers for the Sirius channels available in North America. In addition, Canadian artists will be featured in Sirius Canada "in studio sessions" at studios in New York and across Canada.
"Sirius Canada is committed to serving the needs and interests of Canadians and has worked hard to ensure they have access to an equal number of French and English Canadian stations," said Michel Tremblay, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development CBC, Sirius Canada partner. "As the national public broadcaster we are particularly pleased that subscribers will have access not only to its core services, Radio One and La Première chaîne, but also two new music services available exclusively on satellite radio throughout North America."
With access to the most extensive satellite footprint in North America through its three high-orbit satellites, Sirius Canada subscribers will be able to listen to their favorite satellite radio programming wherever they are in Canada - from Tuktoyaktuk to Twillingate and wherever they are in North America - from the Arctic to Mexico.
A partnership of CBC/Radio Canada, Standard Radio and U.S.-based Sirius Satellite Radio, Sirius Canada will bring a winning combination for Canadian listeners - the credibility of news, sports and arts programming from CBC, the musical scope and depth of Standard broadcasting, and the extensive Sirius U.S. broadcasting platform.
"Canadian Consumers can look forward to hearing more from Sirius Canada shortly," continued Shea. "With this behind us, we can concentrate on putting together a winning lineup of channels and subscription and product packages that will appeal to a broad spectrum of Canadian listeners." |