Canada is looking to grant up to three licenses for domestic satellite digital radio broadcasters. There’s quite a
bit of graymarket XM and Sirius gear up north, we hear; the New York Times wrote about this weeks ago. Canada would
like to regulate it, expand it, and make sure Canadian content is included.
General Motors has stuck its foot in the door on this one, asking that Canada approve the two systems that use
satellites and terrestrial transmitters instead of a third that plans on ground statiosn only. GM says that they can’t
offer the more advanced navigation, help, and information services that they want to offer in their cars without
satellite coverage.
GM will work with Canada Satellite Radio, which is a joint venture of a Canadian entrepreneur and XM. The Canadian
Broadcasting Company (CBC) and Sirius have partnered in Sirius Canada.
The third proposal promises enormously larger amounts of Canadian content but won’t launch if the other two services
are approved. Sirius and XM will add Canadian channels to their existing line-ups, which they say will boost Canadian
exposure to U.S. markets.
[Via Droxy (Digital Radio)]
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