CRTC approves all three pay radio services

OTTAWA - The CRTC has licensed all three applications for pay radio services in Canada, opening the industry to unprecedented competition and consumer choice.However, the services will be heavily regulated, unlike their progenitors in the United States. The commission imposed what could be seen as onerous Cancon requirements on the two satellite services: SIRIUS Canada and Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. (CSR). The terrestrial-based service owned by CHUM and Astral Inc. was approved as filed and will have to follow existing regulations for conventional radio (such as having at least 35% Cancon for popular music).The Commission is requiring CSR and SIRIUS...