Arrival of Howard Stern accelerates satellite radio subscriptions in U.S.
Columnist comments on CBC lockout, controversy over changes to CBC Radio One, arrival of satellite radio; concludes that independent artists "ingenuous" to expect vigorous support of U.S. satellite radio applications would result in greater airplay.
Article discusses business prospects of U.S. satellite radio services in Canada; FRIENDS continues to see CRTC approval of satellite radio with low Canadian content requirements as slippery slope for regulatory regime that enabled the success of the Canadian music industry.
Traditional radio industry argues satellite radio will take many years to catch up to the reach of terrestrial radio.
Availability of Howard Stern on U.S. but not "Canadian" satellite radio could drive grey market.
Corus CEO calls for looser foreign ownership rules, says foreign takeovers and partnerships essential to survival of broadcasting sector.
CHUM seeks foreign radio channels, plans to revive subscription radio service to compete with U.S. satellite services approved with low Canadian content requirements.
CRTC made satellite radio licensing process easy for Canadian representatives of U.S. satellite radio companies, who stand to reap large financial rewards despite minimal requirements to invest in Canadian content.
Sirius Canada said to hold advantage after a marketing campaign considered more successful and visible then XM Canada's.
Canadian representative of U.S. satellite radio provider puts shares on the market to finance infrastructure.
CRTC approves six additional foreign third-language programming services, plus Gambling TV.
CBC to contract out advertising for CBC.ca to AOL Canada, rumoured to be in discussions to outsource rich historical program archives, cultural assets paid for by Canadian taxpayers, to the BBC.
CBC outsources advertising sales for its website to subsidiary of America Online.
Canadian actors visit Parliament Hill, call for increased funding for CBC, CRTC to do its job to preserve Canadian airwaves for Canadian programming.
Holder of CRTC licence for satellite radio service authorized to air predominantly U.S. content plans $50-million IPO.
U.S. satellite radio licensee to launch IPO to fund rollout of Canadian service, which will feature minimal Canadian content.
Lobby group with connections to the Canadian Media Guild and U.S.-based Communications Workers of America calls for resignation of CBC president.
Joint press release by ACTRA and FRIENDS reaffirms criticism of CRTC decision to license U.S. satellite radio services with low Canadian content requirements, welcomes CRTC decision to proceed with radio policy review, calls on CRTC to reject demands for reductions in Cancon by conventional radio broadcasters.
Astral Media agrees to supply programming to U.S. satellite broadcasting licensee Sirius, seals fate of collaborate venture with CHUM for CRTC-approved terrestrial digital radio service.
Public Interest Advocacy Centre issues declaration criticizing the federal government's telecommunications policy review and recommending changes; FRIENDS has endorsed the declaration.
Cable lobbyist calls for simultaneous reform of telecommunications and broadcasting regulation and a reassessment of Canadian content regulations in light of broadband technology.
A new report concludes that foreign ownership of the Canadian telecommunications industry will jeopardize Canadian culture.
Once ratified, UNESCO convention on cultural diversity will give moral albeit not legal justification for government support and protection of domestic film, music, television and radio.
Liberal lobbyists were reportedly paid lucrative success fees to save U.S. satellite radio providers' CRTC licences in face of Cabinet appeal.
Conservative MP responds to letter from FRIENDS supporter regarding CRTC decisions on satellite radio.
Report alleges U.S. satellite radio firms retained several well-connected Liberals to lobby on their behalf to oppose cabinet appeal of CRTC subscription radio decisions.
Despite U.S. opposition, nations overwhelmingly vote to adopt UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Details of secret arrangement between Alberta Conservative government and Enron, the matter being pursued by popular Alberta radio host Don Hill at the time of his sudden dismissal from the CBC.
Apple launches commercial-free, pay-per-episode television downloads.
Discussion of U.S. opposition to UNESCO convention on cultural diversity, belief that nations should be able to protect their culture only if does not involve protection from cultural imports.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters seeks postponement of CRTC radio policy review; move suggests satellite radio will eventually justify reduction or removal of Canadian content requirements for conventional radio broadcasters; some broadcasters say they will continue to air Canadian programming to respond to demand.
Former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Al Gore addresses the decline of the media, public discourse, the threat to American democracy, and the continued role, despite the growth of the Internet, of conventional television delivered over cable and satellite as the dominant medium of political communication.
Industry Minister foresees relaxation in telecommunications foreign ownership limits; views cultural programming, Americanization of popular culture as reasons to scrutinize foreign applications carefully.
CHUM asks for changes to subscription radio licence to allow commercials, more channels, more foreign content, and more programming already broadcast on conventional radio; seeks level playing field with U.S. satellite radio services recently licensed with low Canadian content requirements.
CHUM questions whether CTV talk television channel can be transformed into an MTV brand and still comply with licence requirements.
Conventional radio broadcasters hint they will seek lower Canadian content requirements following recent CRTC decisions, upheld by Cabinet, to approve low requirements for U.S. satellite radio services.
Industry Minister reveals open to relaxing foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector, if it would help Canada's competitive position.
Industry Minister says he is open to relaxing foreign ownership rules in the telecommunications sector.
Canadians break law to receive satellite radio signals.
CHUM expects it will not launch its proposed Canadian subscription radio service after CRTC licences awarded to U.S. satellite radio services with low Canadian content requirements were upheld by cabinet.
Article argues Cancon regime only benefits musicians with mass appeal, low requirements for satellite radio are "a foot in the door" for other artists.
Quebec cultural organizations lament that CRTC satellite radio decisions and federal cabinet decision to uphold them blatantly contradict the founding principles of the Broadcasting Act, set a precedent that could lead to complete marginalization of Canada within its own radio broadcasting industry.
FRIENDS appeal of CRTC satellite radio decisions based in part on the risk that conventional broadcasters would demand reductions in Canadian content obligations to compete with licensed U.S. services.
Cabinet decision on satellite radio appeal characterized by heavy last-minute lobbying by U.S. satellite radio providers.
Last minute offer of slight increase in Canadian content, lobbyist efforts cited in cabinet decision to uphold CRTC ruling on satellite radio.
FRIENDS expects conventional radio broadcasters will eventually ask Ottawa to reduce their Canadian content obligations in wake of cabinet decision to uphold CRTC decisions on satellite radio.
Text of press release stating that the federal cabinet has upheld CRTC decisions licensing two U.S. satellite radio providers with low Canadian content requirements.
Cabinet upholds CRTC decisions to issue satellite radio licences with unprecedented low Canadian content obligations; Canadian content policy dealt blow; FRIENDS calls decision a black day for Canada.
Artists' groups oppose ghettoization of Canadian content on U.S. satellite radio services, urge cabinet to send licensing decisions back to CRTC.
ACTRA, AFM, CCMIA, CIRPA, CRIA, SOCAN, SAC urge federal government to send satellite radio decisions back to CRTC.
The federal cabinet has reportedly delegated satellite radio appeal decision to its operations committee.
U.S. satellite radio services make last-minute conditional offers for slight increases in Canadian content in effort to sway federal cabinet decision.
Federal cabinet has reportedly yet to decide whether to overturn CRTC satellite radio decisions or return them to the CRTC for reconsideration.
The fact that cabinet is reviewing the CRTC satellite radio decisions reduces the independence of the CRTC.
Company serving independent musicians argues the alternative to approving U.S. satellite radio services is "lawlessness" on Canadian airwaves.
CRTC spokesperson maintains CRTC chair's former directorship, stock options in CD Radio (later Sirius) not a conflict of interest.
CanWest Global becomes first foreign company to be awarded radio licence in UK.
Canadian Heritage minister discusses CBC lockout, cabinet deliberations on satellite radio.
Editorial contends that technology makes broadcasting regulation, Canadian content obsolete.
A committee of the federal cabinet reportedly failed to reach a consensus on whether CRTC satellite radio decisions should be overturned.
Conflict of interest alleged after documents surface which show CRTC chair Charles Dalfen once served on board of directors of predecessor of U.S. satellite radio provider Sirius, whose Canadian representative was recently awarded a broadcasting licence in Canada.
Committee of senior federal cabinet ministers to discuss CRTC satellite radio decision in conference call; results to be presented to full cabinet on Thursday.
FRIENDS disagrees that technology renders Canadian content regulations obsolete, notes that satellite radio market will remain small for some time to come.
Advertisement sponsored by ACTRA, FRIENDS, CIRPA, SOCAN in Ottawa's Hill Times concerning results of opinion poll showing 64% of Canadians want the Government of Canada to intervene in CRTC satellite radio decisions because the proposed services offer too little Canadian content.
Ipsos Reid/Friends of Canadian Broadcasting poll concerning CRTC decisions approving two U.S. satellite radio services in Canada.
FRIENDS releases public opinion survey showing two out of three Canadians want the Government of Canada to overturn CRTC decisions to license two American satellite radio companies.
U.S. satellite radio services stage media forum in Toronto, arrange for artists to voice objection to the appeals of CRTC licensing decisions.
CHUM vice-president corrects facts in Globe & Mail editorial supporting CRTC satellite radio decisions.
CRIA and CIRPA spokespersons lament lack of policy hearing on cultural policy implications of subscription radio.
U.S. satellite radio licensees announce they will now offer four of their eight Canadian channels in French.
Survey says only 10 percent of Canadians interested in subscribing to satellite radio; expert finds flaws in Sirius polling methodology saying otherwise.
Editorial says government should not interfere in CRTC decisions: satellite radio is the way of the future.
SOCAN CEO says U.S. satellite radio services should not be allowed to undermine Canadian content regime for sake of a few hundred thousand potential subscribers to an "interim" technology.
Organizations representing Canadian recording industry urge reconsideration of CRTC satellite radio decisions, release poll showing strong public support for Canadian content regulations.
Sirius Canada plans to announce more French language programming to address concerns over CRTC licensing decisions.
U.S. satellite radio licensees face opposition not just from CHUM/Astral, but also from a wide range of other sources.
Editorial calls for end to "heavy-handed" regulation keeping U.S. satellite radio out of Canada.
U.S. satellite radio providers condemn politicization of CRTC licensing decision; critics say a mistake for CRTC not to have held a policy hearing first.
Editorial says CRTC decisions on satellite radio should stand.
Columnist says government should let satellite radio decision stand, find new ways to protect and nurture Canadian culture.
U.S. satellite radio rallies car manufacturers, electronics retailers, musicians, celebrities to speak in favour of CRTC licensing decisions.
Columnist announces cabinet decision to ask CRTC to reconsider satellite radio rulings as fait accompli.
Editorial concludes federal cabinet should not second-guess CRTC on satellite radio decisions.
FRIENDS expects federal cabinet will give CRTC guidelines if it decides to send satellite radio decisions back for review.
U.S. satellite radio services warn that overturning CRTC licensing decisions will boost grey market.
U.S. satellite radio provider releases survey showing widespread support for Canadian satellite radio services.
U.S. satellite radio licensees, car manufacturers claim losses, growth of grey market if CRTC decisions are overturned or sent back for reconsideration.
U.S. satellite radio licensee announces plans to increase French-language offering to four channels from three in effort to address concerns behind calls for reversal of CRTC licensing decisions.
U.S. satellite radio licensees believe insufficient French-language content the only issue behind calls to overturn CRTC licensing decisions.
Liberal MPs from Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes have all reportedly urged federal cabinet to overturn CRTC satellite radio decisions.
U.S. satellite radio services lobbying intensively for CRTC licensing decisions to stand.
U.S. satellite radio licensee concludes agreement to distribute service packages through Canadian electronics retailers.
FRIENDS says allowing satellite radio decisions to stand would create a slippery slope for Canadian content throughout the broadcasting system.
Telesat Canada "thrilled" to be working on launch of U.S. satellite radio services in Canada.
Commissioner of Competition Sheridan Scott says that Canada should relax foreign ownership rules on telecommunication companies.
Article says concerns with CRTC satellite radio decisions will be writ large when services begin carrying more than audio.
Online marketing company that caters to independent artists calls for reconsideration of CRTC pay radio decision.
CCTA makes recommendations to federal telecommunications policy review panel, advocates development of new communications policy to address convergence.
FRIENDS and fourteen other organizations ask Cabinet to overturn CRTC decisions granting applications by Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Canada for broadcasting licences to carry on satellite radio undertakings in Canada.
CAB comments on "potential impacts and potential unintended consequences for the Canadian broadcasting system that may be fostered by the policy rationale" used by the CRTC to approve two U.S.-based satellite radio services with low Canadian content requirements.
Ten French-language organizations ask Cabinet to set aside CRTC satellite radio decisions and order CRTC to hold a public hearing on a subscription radio policy.
CRTC authorizes all three applicants for digital pay radio.
Federal industry minister says he does not advocate lifting telecom sector foreign ownership restrictions, but that the issue should be revisited if there are "compelling reasons" to do so.
Canadian Heritage Minister Liza Frulla announces that her government is not prepared to alter foreign ownership limits in the broadcasting sector.
Federal government tables second response to June 2003 Lincoln Report on the Canadian broadcasting system.
Heritage Minister Liza Frulla will table in Parliament a response to the Lincoln Report on Monday, April 4. FRIENDS, ACTRA and the CEP will be paying close attention to a number of key issues, and have prepared a primer on Ottawa's response to the Report.
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting has given Heritage Minister Liza Frulla a suggested Memorandum to Cabinet designed to implement in public policy the principal recommendations of the Lincoln Report (Our Cultural Sovereignty).
FRIENDS advertisement placed in the delegates' program for the Conservative Party policy convention, March 17-19, 2005.
Cablecos keenly interested in telecom foreign ownership review.
