CRTC: Canadian Satellite TV Services Can't Carry XM, Sirius Programming

The CRTC has ruled that CANADA's satellite TV companies cannot carry the programming of XM CANADA or SIRIUS CANADA. 

The ruling says that the licenses of BELL EXPRESSVU and STAR CHOICE, the satellite TV services that cover CANADA, allow for the services to carry "programming undertakings," but that the satellite radio systems are "satellite subscription undertakings, distinct from 'programming undertakings,'" and that BELL and STAR CHOICE "do not have the authority... to distribute [the satellite radio programming] in the absence of a specific condition of license allowing such distribution."

Channels from XM and SIRIUS' American versions are carried by U.S. satellite TV providers DIRECTV and DISH NETWORK, respectively.

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