Tom from T.O.
11-02-2005, 08:39 PM
QUOTE:
One question remains as to the delivery of so-called shock jock radio programming. The controversial Howard Stern is scheduled to jump to Sirius in the New Year but Redmond said that initially at least he's not part of their programming.
"In the normal course of our business we will be continually reviewing our channel lineup
ARTICLE:
Sirius the first of three pay-radio licensees to unveil program lineup plans
2005-11-02 18:14:00
TORONTO (CP) - Sirius Canada, one of three broadcast groups that won CRTC licences earlier this year for a subscription-based radio service, says it will provide 100 channels of music, news, sports and entertainment, including 10 Canadian channels in English and French.
"Canadians will be able to experience Sirius in time for the holidays," promised Mark Redmond, president and CEO, who adds that receivers will be available shortly - hopefully in early December - at such outlets as Future Shop, Best Buy, Canadian Tire and The Source by Circuit City.
The satellite service will be priced at $14.99 a month (compared to CSR's proposed $12.99). Two initial receivers will retail for $79 and $99 respectively.
"We believe our hundred channels of premium content is a phenomenal value to the consumer," Redmond said.
The lineup (www.sirius-Canada.ca) - the first announced so far - will include 60 commercial-free channels covering the spectrum of musical tastes, including Jimmy Buffet's Radio Margaritaville, Stephen Van Zandt's Underground Garage, Iceberg Radio featuring Canadian rock and Vancouver-based CBC Radio 3, providing exposure for independent home-grown artists. Redmond said more program plans will be announced as the Christmas season approaches.
Sirius Canada is a partnership among the CBC, Standard Radio and the U.S. Sirius Satellite service. Also licensed were Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR), involving former Toronto Raptors owner John Bitove and Washington-based XM Satellite Radio holdings.
A third applicant involved CHUM and Montreal-based Astral Media which offered to deliver a pay-radio service but via a system of land-based towers, not satellite.
Both Sirius and CSR recently beefed up their Canadian content amid reports the federal government was considering a review of the regulatory approvals. Redmond said he doesn't see that as a problem.
"We're going full steam ahead," he said, adding he's not concerned about going head to head with rival CSR (or XM as they have been promoting themselves).
Also in the lineup will be sports channels providing NBA, NFL and NHL games as well as ESPN and Score Media programming.
One question remains as to the delivery of so-called shock jock radio programming. The controversial Howard Stern is scheduled to jump to Sirius in the New Year but Redmond said that initially at least he's not part of their programming.
"In the normal course of our business we will be continually reviewing our channel lineup."
While reluctant to elaborate on their business plan, Redmond conceded that after several years the American pay-radio services are not yet profitable but said in Canada they won't have the initial capital costs.
http://money.canoe.ca/News/Sectors/Media/2005/11/02/1289898-cp.html
One question remains as to the delivery of so-called shock jock radio programming. The controversial Howard Stern is scheduled to jump to Sirius in the New Year but Redmond said that initially at least he's not part of their programming.
"In the normal course of our business we will be continually reviewing our channel lineup
ARTICLE:
Sirius the first of three pay-radio licensees to unveil program lineup plans
2005-11-02 18:14:00
TORONTO (CP) - Sirius Canada, one of three broadcast groups that won CRTC licences earlier this year for a subscription-based radio service, says it will provide 100 channels of music, news, sports and entertainment, including 10 Canadian channels in English and French.
"Canadians will be able to experience Sirius in time for the holidays," promised Mark Redmond, president and CEO, who adds that receivers will be available shortly - hopefully in early December - at such outlets as Future Shop, Best Buy, Canadian Tire and The Source by Circuit City.
The satellite service will be priced at $14.99 a month (compared to CSR's proposed $12.99). Two initial receivers will retail for $79 and $99 respectively.
"We believe our hundred channels of premium content is a phenomenal value to the consumer," Redmond said.
The lineup (www.sirius-Canada.ca) - the first announced so far - will include 60 commercial-free channels covering the spectrum of musical tastes, including Jimmy Buffet's Radio Margaritaville, Stephen Van Zandt's Underground Garage, Iceberg Radio featuring Canadian rock and Vancouver-based CBC Radio 3, providing exposure for independent home-grown artists. Redmond said more program plans will be announced as the Christmas season approaches.
Sirius Canada is a partnership among the CBC, Standard Radio and the U.S. Sirius Satellite service. Also licensed were Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR), involving former Toronto Raptors owner John Bitove and Washington-based XM Satellite Radio holdings.
A third applicant involved CHUM and Montreal-based Astral Media which offered to deliver a pay-radio service but via a system of land-based towers, not satellite.
Both Sirius and CSR recently beefed up their Canadian content amid reports the federal government was considering a review of the regulatory approvals. Redmond said he doesn't see that as a problem.
"We're going full steam ahead," he said, adding he's not concerned about going head to head with rival CSR (or XM as they have been promoting themselves).
Also in the lineup will be sports channels providing NBA, NFL and NHL games as well as ESPN and Score Media programming.
One question remains as to the delivery of so-called shock jock radio programming. The controversial Howard Stern is scheduled to jump to Sirius in the New Year but Redmond said that initially at least he's not part of their programming.
"In the normal course of our business we will be continually reviewing our channel lineup."
While reluctant to elaborate on their business plan, Redmond conceded that after several years the American pay-radio services are not yet profitable but said in Canada they won't have the initial capital costs.
http://money.canoe.ca/News/Sectors/Media/2005/11/02/1289898-cp.html