M. Sebastian wrote:
John A. Figliozzi wrote:

The CBC and Sirius Satellite Radio have announced a
joint venture to bring satellite radio to Canada and
Canadian content to the U.S. via Sirius.


Great. What used to be free is now being charged for.
Digital receivers make sure you pay as you go. This is
especially disturbing, as the Canadian taxpayers are
already paying for the program content and delivery.
They're going to pay twice now?

No. What used to be free remains free. Digital terrestrial DAB is also free.
Only those who subscribe to this digital satellite service will be paying an
additional 13 cents a month per channel. Why would they do so? To be able to
receive programs that interest them while driving or fixed in locations
poorly served by broadcast transmitters. To be able to select a program that
you can listen to in high quality without re-tuning as you drive 100 miles
or 10,000 miles around the continent. To get programs without commercials.
To have choice when so much of North American 'free' broadcasting has so
little variety. And subscribers will still have to turn to local
broadcasters for local information and in many high-rise urban centres and
mountain valleys, a signal.

Tom