MONTREAL – Canadian Satellite Radio isn’t operating in Canada yet, but it’s soon to be on the air in the United States.
CSR will help its U.S. partner, XM Satellite Radio, broadcast French content to its dedicated New Orleans emergency information channel. An estimated tens of thousands of Louisianans speak French, and it’s essential they get the information they need in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, CSR says.
"One of the benefits of satellite radio is that it can go where land-based radio cannot go,” says André Di Cesare, CSR’s head of French talent and industry relations. “With so many local radio stations knocked out of power, people are turning to satellite radio for their only information source in the hurricane-impacted areas. Since XM has a channel dedicated to emergencies, this was a natural thing for us to do. When we offered this to XM, they jumped at the idea.”
“Our southern neighbours desperately need our help,” says Di Cesare. “With so many French-speaking people affected in Louisiana, it’s a logical way for us to assist.”
Emanating from Quebec, CSR’s programming to New Orleans will provide residents with instructions and information during the cleanup efforts. It will be voiced by Montreal radio veteran Denis Grondin, who’s been in front of and behind the mic at Couleur Jazz, CHOM FM, CKOI, and Radio-Canada.
