News Releases

July 8, 2004

CRTC Opens Door to More Radio Choices for Canadians

Ottawa and New York — Partners CBC/Radio-Canada, Standard Radio Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. welcome today's CRTC announcement regarding the launch of public consultations on satellite radio services in Canada leading to a public hearing in November 2004. The partners have filed an application proposing a new Canadian-controlled company that will offer Canadian subscribers approximately 100 digital audio channels, including over 60 commercial-free music channels and a diverse array of some of the world's best information, sports and other entertainment programming. Among them will be Canadian channels from CBC/Radio-Canada and Standard Radio.

If licensed by the CRTC, the new subscription-based service will immediately be available to Canadians across the entire country, from urban centers to the most remote regions. The four CBC/Radio-Canada services also will be added to the Sirius line-up in the U.S., providing established and emerging Canadian recording artists and performers with access to a North American audience.

"This represents a unique opportunity to extend the reach of CBC/Radio-Canada services and package them with the best of the world for distribution on this emerging digital audio platform," said Robert Rabinovitch, CBC/Radio-Canada's President and CEO. "Satellite radio will expand the choices available to Canadians, wherever they live, increase the exposure of Canadian performers to U.S. audiences and open the door for new innovative services. As Canada's national public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada must be present on this new and significant delivery platform."

The CBC/Radio-Canada offering will include two new music channels (one English, one French) featuring a mix of new Canadian music and emerging artists, live concerts, studio sessions, stories and sounds from across Canada. CBC Radio One and Radio-Canada's la Première Chaîne will also bring distinctly Canadian voices and journalistic perspectives to Sirius' diverse information and entertainment line-up, which already includes BBC World, National Public Radio and Public Radio International.

"As this country's largest privately-owned broadcaster, we are very excited about being able to reach Canadians in their cars, homes, cottages, boats and virtually anywhere else they choose to set up their satellite receivers," said Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Standard Radio Inc. "Over the years, Standard has had an unmatched track record in supporting Canadian musical talent, including both new and established artists, with our radio stations across Canada. As part of our venture with CBC/Radio-Canada and Sirius Satellite Radio, we will ensure that the new platform will provide access for Canadian recording artists not only to a wider Canadian listenership but to the much larger North American audience. We must seize this opportunity now."

If licensed, the partners' agreement would ensure that Canadian performers, writers and creators gain broader exposure to audiences across Canada and the U.S. Canadian artists and performers also stand to benefit financially from additional copyright fees and from the investment of five percent of gross revenues in Canadian talent development.

"In partnering with CBC/Radio-Canada and Standard Radio, we are joining forces with two national broadcasters who share our commitment to top quality programming and who have a strong commitment to the development of new and emerging talent," said Joseph P. Clayton, President and CEO of SIRIUS. " Satellite radio has rapidly emerged as a significant new delivery platform that has met strong consumer acceptance. Sirius expects that it will reach close to 1 million subscribers in the U.S. by the end on 2004. A Canadian-owned and controlled satellite radio service will offer Canadians, no matter where they live in the country, unparalleled music selection, insights and perspectives, as well as an unmatched lineup of sports, news, talk and entertainment. We are proud to be associated with this venture that paves the way for an orderly introduction of satellite radio in Canada."

A backgrounder on satellite radio is available at:
http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca//pdf_rtf/satelliteradio.pdf
(34 Kb Acrobat Document)

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. CBC/Radio-Canada reaches Canadians through eight national radio and television networks, its full-service Web sites, local/regional stations and affiliates, as well as the digital television channel Country Canada and the continuous music network Galaxie. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada has forged partnerships with other broadcasters and is a partner in the satellite radio service SIRIUS Canada as well as in the specialty television services ARTV and The Documentary Channel. Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. (2006)

For additional information, please contact:

Katherine Heath-Eves
Media Relations
CBC/Radio-Canada (Ottawa)
Tel: (613) 288-6235
heathevk@cbc.ca
www.cbc.radio-canada.ca