XM Canada launches satellite radio service

TORONTO — Canadians now have a satellite radio service of their own. XM Canada officially went on-the-air today, bringing Canadians more than 80 channels of commercial free, digital quality music programming, along with news, talk, and information, and more than 1000 NHL hockey games.

“Canadians have been waiting for XM, and we’re going to give them what they want — superior choice, sound and signal quality,” says Stephen Tapp, president and COO of XM Canada.

Satellite radio has been available in the U.S. for several years, but because of the requirement for regulatory approval by the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission, the service was not offered to Canadian subscribers. Still, Canadians subscribed in numbers too large to ignore. Estimates of the current “gray market” –foreign subscribers not officially eligible for the service — run from 5,000 to 10,000.

Licences were granted to two providers — XM Canada and Sirius Canada) by the CRTC in June 2005. XM Canada was the first to bring the service to market with its November 25 launch.

X Marks the Spot: XM Canada on the satellite dial now

Earlier this month, Sirius unveiled its own lineup. It will begin taking Canadian subscriptions by the end of the year.

The CRTC demanded 10 percent of the programming be Canadian, and eight of the 80 channels offered are produced here in Canada and feature Canadian artists and content.

Among the eight new channels offered by XM Canada:

Home Ice Hockey Talk & Play-by-Play — A revolutionary all-hockey talk channel featuring Canada’s favourite pastime. The channel will provide Canadians with live, play-by-play coverage from more than 1,000 NHL games each season. Expert coverage from well-known commentators and ex-NHL stars will make this the channel to listen to for hockey

(un)Signed – New/Emerging/Now — A 24/7 rock music channel featuring new, emerging and recently established Canadian rock artists with energy and intensity, going from heavy metal to mainstream and modern rock to eclectic, folk and roots oriented rock.

Laugh Attack – Comedy- (XL) — A comedy channel spotlighting Canada’s rich pool of extraordinary comedians. Whether it’s politics, relationships, or the regular travails of daily life, Laugh Attack will be aggressive in its pursuit of the big laugh.

Canada 360 News & Information — A 24/7 national news and information channel focused on the latest news, weather, sports, business and entertainment information and issues of importance to Canadians.

Franc Parler – Sports et Plus- (FR) — A 24/7 news, talk and information channel featuring sports and hourly news updates about the economy, health and issues for Canadians. The channel will also be the home to French language NHL games.

Sur La Route- (FR) — A blend of modern and classic pop, folk, rock and roll, ‘chanson’ and soul featuring yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s stars.

Quoi de Nuef- Culture et Divertissement- (FR) — A 24/7 arts and entertainment news and information channel covering everything from new movie releases, DVD releases, concerts, shows and theatre activity to the latest information on new technology like computers, video games and more.

Air Musique- (FR) — A trend-oriented music channel playing a fusion of punk, hip-hop, metal, electronic and alternative rock music for those who like to live on the leading edge of the music scene with a French twist.

These eight channels will be heard in the U.S. as well, providing traveling Canadians with a link to what’s going on at home. Canadian subscribers will have access to most of the existing American channels too, including more than 70 music channels ranging from rock to blues, country to classical, and just about everything in between.

Satellite radio requires special receivers, but all can be easily plugged into existing home or automotive systems without technical assistance. The receivers are slated to go on sale in Canada on December 1, though some retailers are already offering on-line specials.

XM listeners will be able to choose from the most extensive lineup of satellite radios in Canada from manufacturers such as Alpine, Audiovox, Delphi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Polk Audio, Sony, Tao, and Yamaha.

The radios will be available through A&B Sound, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Dumoulin/Audiotronic, Future Shop, London Drugs, Sears Canada, The Source by Circuit City, Visions Electronics, and other retailers.

A subscription to XM satellite radio costs $12.99 per month with no contract. Additional receivers can be added to existing accounts under a family plan for $9.99, up to a limit of four.