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Sirius Canadian Service channel lineup

R

rdcuff

Just received this PR from Sirius. Apparently Howard Stern will not be offered to Canadians due to their stricter content regulations.

Richard / Allentown, PA

---

SIRIUS Canada Unveils 100 Channel Premium Satellite Radio Service

- 60 channels of commercial-free rock, pop and classical music –
- 40 channels of news, sports and entertainment-
- 30 games of play-by-play NHL action per week -
- 10 Canadian premium channels -

TORONTO, November 2, 2005 – SIRIUS Canada today announced its leading channel line-up for its subscription satellite radio service in Canada. With a full 100 channels of the best music, news, sports, and entertainment available, SIRIUS Canada will provide the most comprehensive satellite radio service in the country. SIRIUS will also be the only satellite radio provider to include 10 Canadian music and information stations in both English and French for all Canadians, including a multilingual service.

“We are launching SIRIUS Canada with 100 channels of music, entertainment, sports and information -- the true A-List,” said Mark Redmond, President and CEO, SIRIUS Canada. “With 60 channels of commercial-free music, incredible sports coverage from the NFL, NHL, and the NBA, great entertainment programming from Maxim to Martha Stewart and up-to-the-minute news from CBC/Radio-Canada and the BBC, SIRIUS has it all.”

“Canadians will be able to experience SIRIUS in time for the holidays. As the fastest growing satellite radio provider in North America, SIRIUS will have the greatest depth and variety of any satellite radio company in Canada,” he added.

SIRIUS Canada’s premium satellite radio service will be available soon at Future Shop, Best Buy, London Drugs, The Source by Circuit City, Canadian Tire and many other leading retailers throughout Canada. Consumers wanting more information on the SIRIUS Canada service can visit: www.sirius-canada.ca. SIRIUS Canada’s premium subscription service will be priced at $14.99 a month.

With a full 100 channels, SIRIUS Canada will provide the most comprehensive satellite radio service in the country. SIRIUS Canada’s channel lineup features the best in A-List entertainment including 60 channels of commercial-free music, news, talk and sports programming. In addition, SIRIUS features specialty channels geared toward women, children and families.


SIRIUS Music
SIRIUS Canada will offer a total of 60 commercial-free music stations to make up the widest range of music available. SIRIUS programmers will feature the best selections in rock, pop, country, Christian, jazz, hip hop, electronic, dance, R&B, Classical and show tunes.

* Pop – Featuring the top music from today and everyone’s favorites from yesterday. Pop channels include SIRIUS Hits-1 playing the songs at the top of the charts, Rock ‘n roll from the late 50’s to the early 60’s on SIRIUS Gold, the best music from the 80s on Big 80’s and BBC Radio 1 featuring new music from the U.K. Listeners will also be able to hear French artists like Jorane and Pierre Lapointe on Rock Velours and Energie2.

* Rock – From today’s cutting-edge new sounds to all the great classic rock from yesterday. Rock channels include classic rock on Classic Vinyl, the latest alternative hits on Alt Nation, pure hard rock on Octane, Jimmy Buffet’s Radio Margaritaville, Stephen Van Zandt’s Underground Garage and Faction an action sports lifestyle channel. Listeners can also tune in to Canadian rock on Iceberg Radio and hear up-and-coming Canadian Francophone artists on bandeapart and English artists on CBC Radio 3.

* Electronic, Dance, Hip-Hop/R&B – Electronic and dance channels include trance and progressive house on Area 33, downtempo electronica on Chill, and the sounds of classic dance on The Strobe. Hip-Hop/R&B channels include raw Hip-Hop on Hip-Hop Nation, uncensored tracks on Eminem’s self-styled channel, Shade 45 and classic soul and Motown on Soul Town.

* Country – Featuring a wide range of country music from yesterday and today. Country stations include today’s biggest stars on New Country, classic country from The Roadhouse, the genre’s renegades and rogues on Outlaw Country and homegrown, heartfelt bluegrass music on Bluegrass.

* Jazz & Blues – Jazz & Blues channels featuring contemporary jazz on Planet Jazz, smooth jazz on Jazz Café, new age instrumental music on Spa73, and authentic blues on Sirius Blues.

* Standards and Classical – Featuring classic singers, big band music and show tunes. Channels include Standard Time, Broadway’s Best, Symphony Hall and SIRIUS Pops.

* Latin & International – The best in Latin and world music. Channels include today’s top Latin music on Universo Latina and music from around the world on The Globe.

SIRIUS Sports
SIRIUS Canada will provide the best in-depth sports coverage that will satisfy even the biggest Canadian sports fan. With live play-by-play action on three dedicated SIRIUS play-by-play channels, Canadian sports fans will be able to tune into their favourite NBA and NFL games throughout the season. In addition, SIRIUS Canada will broadcast a wide variety of NHL hockey games on a nightly and weekly basis. SIRIUS Sports channels will also feature news, talk and athlete interviews on ESPN Radio and ESPN News, live coverage, news, talk and opinion of the NFL on SIRIUS NFL Radio. In addition, SIRIUS Canada will be offering hard core Canadian sports fans the best in sports and talk on Hardcore Sports Radio, provided by Score Media.

SIRIUS News and Public Radio
SIRIUS Canada will carry a variety of news and public radio programming. These channels include CBC Radio One, Infoplus and Première Plus featuring Canadian news from CBC/Radio-Canada in both French and English, call-in talk radio from NPR Now, up-to-the minute financial and business news from Bloomberg Radio, and international news from CNN, BBC World News and RCI Plus – a multilingual news and information channel.

Especially for Women
SIRIUS Canada will offer channels and programming geared toward Women including Martha Stewart Living Radio featuring shows on cooking, home and pet keeping, gardening, collecting and crafts as well as Cosmopolitan Radio (February 2006).

Comedy
SIRIUS Canada will feature comedy channels that include uncensored comedy on Raw Dog and comedy for everyone on Laugh Break.

SIRIUS Talk
SIRIUS Canada will offer diverse talk-radio stations as part of the Canadian subscriber package. SIRIUS Canada Talk stations include news, information and entertainment for the Gay and Lesbian communities on SIRIUS Out Q, SIRIUS’ flagship talk station SIRIUS Stars, talk radio for guys on MAXIM Radio, entertainment industry news on E! Entertainment Radio, breaking news on ABC News/Talk, and news and information for commercial drivers on SIRIUS Trucking Network.

International
SIRIUS Canada will bring subscribers the world including Spanish-language entertainment and talk on Hispanic Talk, and Latin American news on BBC Mundo.

Canadian Channels
Within the 100 channel line-up, SIRIUS Canada is pleased to announce a total of 10 Canadian satellite radio channels in both English and French and one multilingual service. Canadian channels on SIRIUS include:

* CBC Radio One – Canada’s top-rated radio news and information source, featuring national and international headlines, in-depth business, political and arts reports and award-winning documentaries.
* CBC Radio 3 – dedicated to Canada’s burgeoning indie music and culture scene and the place to discover the best in new Canadian music first.
* Iceberg Radio – commercial free Canadian Rock provided by Standard Broadcasting and programmed by leading Canadian music programmer Liz Janik.
* Hardcore Sports Radio – Canadian sports news and talk provided by Score Media delivers sports information to the Canadian sports fan 24-7.
* Première Plus – A Radio-Canada channel providing French language daily reports and magazines covering news, current affairs and culture at home and abroad.
* Infoplus – All French language news 24 hours a day, combining the best of Radio-Canada and public broadcasters from around the world, including Radio France Internationale.
* bandeapart – a Radio-Canada channel dedicated to the best emerging Francophone pop, rock, electronica, hip-hop, punk and world music.
* Rock Velours – A French-language channel playing the best Canadian soft rock provided by Astral.
* Energie2 – A French-language channel playing pop, modern rock and urban music in both French and English provided by Astral.
* RCI Plus –Radio Canada International programming for Canadians in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian and Mandarin, which will be enhanced by programs from around the globe.

About SIRIUS Canada
SIRIUS Canada is a partnership of CBC/Radio-Canada, Standard Radio Inc. (Canada’s largest privately-owned radio network) and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (U.S.), the fastest growing satellite radio company in North America. The SIRIUS satellite radio service is a world-class digital audio platform that will offer Canadians high-quality digital music, news, sports and entertainment programming, including an exclusive line-up of Canadian channels. Key sports programming will include the NFL, NBA and NHL games. SIRIUS Canada is committed to supporting Canadian musical talent and will be investing $20 million toward local development initiatives over the next seven years. SIRIUS Canada will reach Canadians wherever they live, from urban centres to the most remote regions of the country.
 
Does anyone know if the Canadian channels will be offered to American subscribers of Sirius?

thanks.

> Just received this PR from Sirius. Apparently Howard Stern
> will not be offered to Canadians due to their stricter
> content regulations.
>
> Richard / Allentown, PA
>
> ---
>
> SIRIUS Canada Unveils 100 Channel Premium Satellite Radio
> Service
>
> - 60 channels of commercial-free rock, pop and classical
> music –
> - 40 channels of news, sports and entertainment-
> - 30 games of play-by-play NHL action per week -
> - 10 Canadian premium channels -
>
> TORONTO, November 2, 2005 – SIRIUS Canada today announced
> its leading channel line-up for its subscription satellite
> radio service in Canada. With a full 100 channels of the
> best music, news, sports, and entertainment available,
> SIRIUS Canada will provide the most comprehensive satellite
> radio service in the country. SIRIUS will also be the only
> satellite radio provider to include 10 Canadian music and
> information stations in both English and French for all
> Canadians, including a multilingual service.
>
> “We are launching SIRIUS Canada with 100 channels of music,
> entertainment, sports and information -- the true A-List,”
> said Mark Redmond, President and CEO, SIRIUS Canada. “With
> 60 channels of commercial-free music, incredible sports
> coverage from the NFL, NHL, and the NBA, great entertainment
> programming from Maxim to Martha Stewart and
> up-to-the-minute news from CBC/Radio-Canada and the BBC,
> SIRIUS has it all.”
>
> “Canadians will be able to experience SIRIUS in time for the
> holidays. As the fastest growing satellite radio provider in
> North America, SIRIUS will have the greatest depth and
> variety of any satellite radio company in Canada,” he added.
>
>
> SIRIUS Canada’s premium satellite radio service will be
> available soon at Future Shop, Best Buy, London Drugs, The
> Source by Circuit City, Canadian Tire and many other leading
> retailers throughout Canada. Consumers wanting more
> information on the SIRIUS Canada service can visit:
> www.sirius-canada.ca. SIRIUS Canada’s premium subscription
> service will be priced at $14.99 a month.
>
> With a full 100 channels, SIRIUS Canada will provide the
> most comprehensive satellite radio service in the country.
> SIRIUS Canada’s channel lineup features the best in A-List
> entertainment including 60 channels of commercial-free
> music, news, talk and sports programming. In addition,
> SIRIUS features specialty channels geared toward women,
> children and families.
>
>
> SIRIUS Music
> SIRIUS Canada will offer a total of 60 commercial-free music
> stations to make up the widest range of music available.
> SIRIUS programmers will feature the best selections in rock,
> pop, country, Christian, jazz, hip hop, electronic, dance,
> R&B, Classical and show tunes.
>
> * Pop – Featuring the top music from today and everyone’s
> favorites from yesterday. Pop channels include SIRIUS Hits-1
> playing the songs at the top of the charts, Rock ‘n roll
> from the late 50’s to the early 60’s on SIRIUS Gold, the
> best music from the 80s on Big 80’s and BBC Radio 1
> featuring new music from the U.K. Listeners will also be
> able to hear French artists like Jorane and Pierre Lapointe
> on Rock Velours and Energie2.
>
> * Rock – From today’s cutting-edge new sounds to all the
> great classic rock from yesterday. Rock channels include
> classic rock on Classic Vinyl, the latest alternative hits
> on Alt Nation, pure hard rock on Octane, Jimmy Buffet’s
> Radio Margaritaville, Stephen Van Zandt’s Underground Garage
> and Faction an action sports lifestyle channel. Listeners
> can also tune in to Canadian rock on Iceberg Radio and hear
> up-and-coming Canadian Francophone artists on bandeapart and
> English artists on CBC Radio 3.
>
> * Electronic, Dance, Hip-Hop/R&B – Electronic and dance
> channels include trance and progressive house on Area 33,
> downtempo electronica on Chill, and the sounds of classic
> dance on The Strobe. Hip-Hop/R&B channels include raw
> Hip-Hop on Hip-Hop Nation, uncensored tracks on Eminem’s
> self-styled channel, Shade 45 and classic soul and Motown on
> Soul Town.
>
> * Country – Featuring a wide range of country music from
> yesterday and today. Country stations include today’s
> biggest stars on New Country, classic country from The
> Roadhouse, the genre’s renegades and rogues on Outlaw
> Country and homegrown, heartfelt bluegrass music on
> Bluegrass.
>
> * Jazz & Blues – Jazz & Blues channels featuring
> contemporary jazz on Planet Jazz, smooth jazz on Jazz Café,
> new age instrumental music on Spa73, and authentic blues on
> Sirius Blues.
>
> * Standards and Classical – Featuring classic singers, big
> band music and show tunes. Channels include Standard Time,
> Broadway’s Best, Symphony Hall and SIRIUS Pops.
>
> * Latin & International – The best in Latin and world music.
> Channels include today’s top Latin music on Universo Latina
> and music from around the world on The Globe.
>
> SIRIUS Sports
> SIRIUS Canada will provide the best in-depth sports coverage
> that will satisfy even the biggest Canadian sports fan. With
> live play-by-play action on three dedicated SIRIUS
> play-by-play channels, Canadian sports fans will be able to
> tune into their favourite NBA and NFL games throughout the
> season. In addition, SIRIUS Canada will broadcast a wide
> variety of NHL hockey games on a nightly and weekly basis.
> SIRIUS Sports channels will also feature news, talk and
> athlete interviews on ESPN Radio and ESPN News, live
> coverage, news, talk and opinion of the NFL on SIRIUS NFL
> Radio. In addition, SIRIUS Canada will be offering hard
> core Canadian sports fans the best in sports and talk on
> Hardcore Sports Radio, provided by Score Media.
>
> SIRIUS News and Public Radio
> SIRIUS Canada will carry a variety of news and public radio
> programming. These channels include CBC Radio One, Infoplus
> and Première Plus featuring Canadian news from
> CBC/Radio-Canada in both French and English, call-in talk
> radio from NPR Now, up-to-the minute financial and business
> news from Bloomberg Radio, and international news from CNN,
> BBC World News and RCI Plus – a multilingual news and
> information channel.
>
> Especially for Women
> SIRIUS Canada will offer channels and programming geared
> toward Women including Martha Stewart Living Radio featuring
> shows on cooking, home and pet keeping, gardening,
> collecting and crafts as well as Cosmopolitan Radio
> (February 2006).
>
> Comedy
> SIRIUS Canada will feature comedy channels that include
> uncensored comedy on Raw Dog and comedy for everyone on
> Laugh Break.
>
> SIRIUS Talk
> SIRIUS Canada will offer diverse talk-radio stations as part
> of the Canadian subscriber package. SIRIUS Canada Talk
> stations include news, information and entertainment for the
> Gay and Lesbian communities on SIRIUS Out Q, SIRIUS’
> flagship talk station SIRIUS Stars, talk radio for guys on
> MAXIM Radio, entertainment industry news on E! Entertainment
> Radio, breaking news on ABC News/Talk, and news and
> information for commercial drivers on SIRIUS Trucking
> Network.
>
> International
> SIRIUS Canada will bring subscribers the world including
> Spanish-language entertainment and talk on Hispanic Talk,
> and Latin American news on BBC Mundo.
>
> Canadian Channels
> Within the 100 channel line-up, SIRIUS Canada is pleased to
> announce a total of 10 Canadian satellite radio channels in
> both English and French and one multilingual service.
> Canadian channels on SIRIUS include:
>
> * CBC Radio One – Canada’s top-rated radio news and
> information source, featuring national and international
> headlines, in-depth business, political and arts reports and
> award-winning documentaries.
> * CBC Radio 3 – dedicated to Canada’s burgeoning indie music
> and culture scene and the place to discover the best in new
> Canadian music first.
> * Iceberg Radio – commercial free Canadian Rock provided by
> Standard Broadcasting and programmed by leading Canadian
> music programmer Liz Janik.
> * Hardcore Sports Radio – Canadian sports news and talk
> provided by Score Media delivers sports information to the
> Canadian sports fan 24-7.
> * Première Plus – A Radio-Canada channel providing French
> language daily reports and magazines covering news, current
> affairs and culture at home and abroad.
> * Infoplus – All French language news 24 hours a day,
> combining the best of Radio-Canada and public broadcasters
> from around the world, including Radio France
> Internationale.
> * bandeapart – a Radio-Canada channel dedicated to the best
> emerging Francophone pop, rock, electronica, hip-hop, punk
> and world music.
> * Rock Velours – A French-language channel playing the best
> Canadian soft rock provided by Astral.
> * Energie2 – A French-language channel playing pop, modern
> rock and urban music in both French and English provided by
> Astral.
> * RCI Plus –Radio Canada International programming for
> Canadians in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic,
> Russian, Ukrainian and Mandarin, which will be enhanced by
> programs from around the globe.
>
> About SIRIUS Canada
> SIRIUS Canada is a partnership of CBC/Radio-Canada, Standard
> Radio Inc. (Canada’s largest privately-owned radio network)
> and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (U.S.), the fastest growing
> satellite radio company in North America. The SIRIUS
> satellite radio service is a world-class digital audio
> platform that will offer Canadians high-quality digital
> music, news, sports and entertainment programming, including
> an exclusive line-up of Canadian channels. Key sports
> programming will include the NFL, NBA and NHL games. SIRIUS
> Canada is committed to supporting Canadian musical talent
> and will be investing $20 million toward local development
> initiatives over the next seven years. SIRIUS Canada will
> reach Canadians wherever they live, from urban centres to
> the most remote regions of the country.
>
 
> Does anyone know if the Canadian channels will be offered to
> American subscribers of Sirius?
>

Sirius' position has been that the CBC English channels (specifically Radio One and Radio 3) would be offered to American subscribers as part of the basic USA package. I don't know about the French-Canadian or the Standard Radio-programmed channels.

I hope to schedule an interview with the Sirius Canada people in the next few days (I am a writer on international broadcasting) and will be asking for more details on that topic; I'll post findings here.

Richard / Allentown, PA
 
I hope you're right about Sirius offering the Canadian streams to us Americans - Re: Sirius Canadian Service channel lineup

I'm already a HUGE fan of Sirius (despite a mixed review of the recent stream shuffle, but that's another story entirely).

But, for me (an American, BTW), the English-language Canadian programming would be the proverbial "icing on the cake." I hope you're right.

I find myself asking, "What's taking them so long?" (By the way, that's a question I could've asked about the likes of BBC Radio One, a most welcome addition to Sirius's lineup IMHO.)

I would hope, by the way, that Sirius doesn't sacrifice other good streams, particularly internationally-oriented news streams such as the World Radio Network or BBC World Service News (two of my favorites; incidentally, I listen to Sirius for both news and music), to make way for the Canadian streams.

> > Does anyone know if the Canadian channels will be offered
> to
> > American subscribers of Sirius?
> >
>
> Sirius' position has been that the CBC English channels
> (specifically Radio One and Radio 3) would be offered to
> American subscribers as part of the basic USA package. I
> don't know about the French-Canadian or the Standard
> Radio-programmed channels.
>
> I hope to schedule an interview with the Sirius Canada
> people in the next few days (I am a writer on international
> broadcasting) and will be asking for more details on that
> topic; I'll post findings here.
>
> Richard / Allentown, PA
>
 
Re: I hope you're right about Sirius offering the Canadian streams to us Americans - Re: Sirius Canadian Service channel lineup

Let me get this straight. I'll make believe I am Joe Citizen in my happy provence of Ottawa. I can pay around 14.00 per month and get CBC radio? Though I can already get that over the air, for free?

Don't get me wrong. Sirius has a lot of great stations but what is the importance to the Canadian government to lock up three channels with what is already available. This sounds like a very outdated mode of thought. Thoeretically if you have people in the boondoks, it is goverment's job to somehow supply its citizens what they are missing. That worked well when the iea was to get phone service to as many people as possible. However, todo this with satellite. It is a shame XM and Sirius re plating thi silly little sociazlist game with Canada.

If I were a Canadian citizen, I would sign up with Sirius US.

Note, do not argue that the CBC offers a great product. Yes they do! This, however, is about a capitalist venture. A luxury item, if you will.
 
Re: I hope you're right about Sirius offering the Canadian streams to us Americans - Re: Sirius Canadian Service channel lineup

You have a point or two. Sirius had to "play the game," though, in order to get this approved by the bureaucrats in the Canadian government.

Of course, in my previous post, I was being myself, Jane Citizen in my happy (?) state in the good old USA. And I was asking that hallowed American question, "What's in it for me"? ;-)

Incidentally, this reminds me of a side issue, that I wish the Sirius NPR streams would offer "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition," even though these are widely available on FM. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, the rationale behind Sirius not offering these flagship programs was to not cannibalize listeners from NPR's FM affiliates. Well, I'm sorry to let them down, but it's not working, in my case anyway. Better for NPR to include the flagship programs on Sirius where I'll actually hear them on occasion.

> Let me get this straight. I'll make believe I am Joe Citizen
> in my happy provence of Ottawa. I can pay around 14.00 per
> month and get CBC radio? Though I can already get that over
> the air, for free?
>
> Don't get me wrong. Sirius has a lot of great stations but
> what is the importance to the Canadian government to lock up
> three channels with what is already available. This sounds
> like a very outdated mode of thought. Thoeretically if you
> have people in the boondoks, it is goverment's job to
> somehow supply its citizens what they are missing. That
> worked well when the iea was to get phone service to as many
> people as possible. However, todo this with satellite. It is
> a shame XM and Sirius re plating thi silly little sociazlist
> game with Canada.
>
> If I were a Canadian citizen, I would sign up with Sirius
> US.
>
> Note, do not argue that the CBC offers a great product. Yes
> they do! This, however, is about a capitalist venture. A
> luxury item, if you will.
>
 
Re: I hope you're right about Sirius offering the Canadian streams to us Americans - Re: Sirius Canadian Service channel lineup

> I'm already a HUGE fan of Sirius (despite a mixed review of
> the recent stream shuffle, but that's another story
> entirely).
>
> But, for me (an American, BTW), the English-language
> Canadian programming would be the proverbial "icing on the
> cake." I hope you're right.
>
> I find myself asking, "What's taking them so long?" (By the
> way, that's a question I could've asked about the likes of
> BBC Radio One, a most welcome addition to Sirius's lineup
> IMHO.)
>
> I would hope, by the way, that Sirius doesn't sacrifice
> other good streams, particularly internationally-oriented
> news streams such as the World Radio Network or BBC World
> Service News (two of my favorites; incidentally, I listen to
> Sirius for both news and music), to make way for the
> Canadian streams.
>

No way the BBCWS will disappear. That's one of the more popular news channels, from what the Sirius folks tell me. The RCI Plus situation bears watching from south of the border. Remember that Sirius's technology (as well as XM's) means that all streams -- to both the USA and Canada -- will be sent to the receiver, with the receiver's ID being used to determine which streams are unlocked and which (if any) are locked out. It may be that WRN disappears when RCI Plus begins, but that is strictly speculation, and I agree -- I hope it doesn't turn out that way.

Richard / Allentown, PA
 
Different Channels or New Channels?

I know this sounds like a stupid question but are the channels the same for Sirius-CA as for Sirius-USA? Example being "Big 80s on 8". Will Sirius-CA simply be broadcasting the same live station for their Canadian subscribers that's broadcasted for Sirius-USA listeners in NY, or will there be a completely different "Big 80s on 8" station based out of Canada for Sirius-CA with different DJs, music, programs, ect?

Anthony--
 
> > Does anyone know if the Canadian channels will be offered
> to
> > American subscribers of Sirius?
> >
>
> Sirius' position has been that the CBC English channels
> (specifically Radio One and Radio 3) would be offered to
> American subscribers as part of the basic USA package. I
> don't know about the French-Canadian or the Standard
> Radio-programmed channels.
>
> I hope to schedule an interview with the Sirius Canada
> people in the next few days (I am a writer on international
> broadcasting) and will be asking for more details on that
> topic; I'll post findings here.
>
> Richard / Allentown, PA
>
Id be interested in hearing if and when the canadian channels would be rolled out as part of the current suite of channels or as a "add-on" premium package?
 
Re: Different Channels or New Channels?

> I know this sounds like a stupid question but are the
> channels the same for Sirius-CA as for Sirius-USA? Example
> being "Big 80s on 8". Will Sirius-CA simply be broadcasting
> the same live station for their Canadian subscribers that's
> broadcasted for Sirius-USA listeners in NY, or will there be
> a completely different "Big 80s on 8" station based out of
> Canada for Sirius-CA with different DJs, music, programs,
> ect?
>

These will be the same channels.

The only ones that will be new will be the Canadian-specific content channels.


Richard / Allentown, PA
 
Re: I hope you're right about Sirius offering the Canadian streams to us Americans - Re: Sirius Canadian Service channel lineup

> Let me get this straight. I'll make believe I am Joe Citizen
> in my happy provence of Ottawa. I can pay around 14.00 per
> month and get CBC radio? Though I can already get that over
> the air, for free?
>
> Don't get me wrong. Sirius has a lot of great stations but
> what is the importance to the Canadian government to lock up
> three channels with what is already available. This sounds
> like a very outdated mode of thought. Thoeretically if you
> have people in the boondoks, it is goverment's job to
> somehow supply its citizens what they are missing. That
> worked well when the iea was to get phone service to as many
> people as possible. However, todo this with satellite. It is
> a shame XM and Sirius re plating thi silly little sociazlist
> game with Canada.
>
> If I were a Canadian citizen, I would sign up with Sirius
> US.
>

CBC is a 40% owner of Sirius Canada. I believe one motivation for them was the deal that we in the USA will get CBC content too.

Canada's size means it's not a lead-pipe-cinch that Radio One is audible everywhere. That's part of the unique attractiveness of Sirius to Canada -- it's universally available.

This was they way Sirius felt it could get past the CRTC with the least new investment.

In some ways, your logic -- "why bother, it's already availble" applies to USA content as well. Many cities have ESPN Radio stations; the NPR Now and NPR Talk programs are available in many cities as well.

The cannibalization issue someone else mentioned -- the reason ATC and ME aren't offered by NPR, to protect local stations -- really doesn't matter with the CBC, because there is no revenue stream to protect.

Most Canadians I know don't care much for the Canadian content ("CanCon") hoops that radio stations have to jump through, anyway. I bet most Canadians would have cheerfully accepted the US Sirius offering -- collectively, XM and Sirius have more than 100,000 "illegal" grey market listeners in Canada already.

I have queries into Sirius US and Sirius Canada regarding the US perspectives and planned availability. Will update these notes when I know more.

Richard / Allentown
 
> Canadian Channels
> Within the 100 channel line-up, SIRIUS Canada is pleased to
> announce a total of 10 Canadian satellite radio channels in
> both English and French and one multilingual service.

Where is SIRIUS getting the bandwidth for these ten extra channels? In addition, I have read that SIRIUS will be adding video services in 2006. Once again...where is the bandwidth going to come from? The audio quality, while not perfect, is decent enough for in-car listening. I sincerely hope that SIRIUS is not going to reduce bandwidth to their existing channels to accomodate these new services. If they do.....bye-bye SIRIUS.

Has anyone heard any of the technical details as to how they are going to add Canadian content and video services?
 
>
> Where is SIRIUS getting the bandwidth for these ten extra
> channels? In addition, I have read that SIRIUS will be
> adding video services in 2006. Once again...where is the
> bandwidth going to come from? The audio quality, while not
> perfect, is decent enough for in-car listening. I sincerely
> hope that SIRIUS is not going to reduce bandwidth to their
> existing channels to accomodate these new services. If they
> do.....bye-bye SIRIUS.
>
> Has anyone heard any of the technical details as to how they
> are going to add Canadian content and video services?
>

One element is a deal Sirius did with Microsoft last year for video compression -- see http://www.business2.com/b2/web/articles/0,17863,1030087,00.html.

They also announced some new data compression / decompression algorithm improvements last year as well. Not exactly sure how they'll be implemented unless they're firmware-upgradeable on the fly.

Richard / Allentown
 
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