Neil Derryberry
07-18-05, 12:44 PM
Sat Radio Entity Defends Canadian Move
Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR), which is representing XM as the company moves its service north of the border, defended its efforts after being attacked by traditional radio broadcasters earlier in the week. The Toronto-based entity took on comments from some of the radio outfits questioning its future delivery of multi-ethnic programming to Canadian audiences. "Multiethnic programming has always been the cornerstone of CSR's philosophy and it represents 20 percent of CSR's channel offering in its original application," it said in a statement.
As part of its license, CSR said it has committed $35 million to Canadian Talent Development focused on the growth of independent Canadian music, comedy and entertainment industry, and half of that amount will be granted to French-speaking talent. Total spending on original Canadian programming is expected to be about $70 million throughout the first licensing term, CSR said.
CSR also estimated that it will invest $100 million in satellite radio and infrastructure in Canada within the first seven-year licensing period.
CSR also got multi-ethnic broadcasters to comment on satellite radio.
Said Frank Alvarez, president of CIRV Radio International: "CSR's Mosaic Channel will help to establish Canada, the most culturally diverse country in the world, as a leader in ethnic satellite radio broadcasting. Through this unique offering, CSR will provide the first-ever national and continental reach for Canada's multilingual broadcasters, delivering a full reflection of our diversity to a broad North American audience."
This week, several Canadian broadcasting entities asked the government to set aside an earlier decision to allow satellite radio services into the country. For the earlier SkyREPORT story, visit: http://www.skyreport.com/view.cfm?ReleaseID=1700.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR), which is representing XM as the company moves its service north of the border, defended its efforts after being attacked by traditional radio broadcasters earlier in the week. The Toronto-based entity took on comments from some of the radio outfits questioning its future delivery of multi-ethnic programming to Canadian audiences. "Multiethnic programming has always been the cornerstone of CSR's philosophy and it represents 20 percent of CSR's channel offering in its original application," it said in a statement.
As part of its license, CSR said it has committed $35 million to Canadian Talent Development focused on the growth of independent Canadian music, comedy and entertainment industry, and half of that amount will be granted to French-speaking talent. Total spending on original Canadian programming is expected to be about $70 million throughout the first licensing term, CSR said.
CSR also estimated that it will invest $100 million in satellite radio and infrastructure in Canada within the first seven-year licensing period.
CSR also got multi-ethnic broadcasters to comment on satellite radio.
Said Frank Alvarez, president of CIRV Radio International: "CSR's Mosaic Channel will help to establish Canada, the most culturally diverse country in the world, as a leader in ethnic satellite radio broadcasting. Through this unique offering, CSR will provide the first-ever national and continental reach for Canada's multilingual broadcasters, delivering a full reflection of our diversity to a broad North American audience."
This week, several Canadian broadcasting entities asked the government to set aside an earlier decision to allow satellite radio services into the country. For the earlier SkyREPORT story, visit: http://www.skyreport.com/view.cfm?ReleaseID=1700.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)