Your help is needed - Satellite Radio in jeopardy

[Esau]

I just recieved this email today (2 hours ago)...not sure if anyone is interested in this but here it is.I can't attend myself so I figured I pass this along.

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Your help is needed - Satellite Radio in jeopardy

I have some disturbing news to report to you on the Satellite Radio front.

As you know, independent artists won a huge CRTC victory when Satellite

radio was approved for licensing in Canada about two months ago. We were

thrilled that there was an indie-friendly radio alternative coming to

Canada. The CRTC broke new ground with the following requirements:

* At least 8 original channels must be produced in Canada (on each satellite service)

* There must be 85% Canadian Content on each of those 8 channels

* At least 25% of CANCON music must be new Canadian musical selections

* A further 25% of the CANCON music must be by emerging Canadian artists!!!

* 5% of their GROSS revenues to initiatives for the development of Canadian talent

Many groups that could be considered part of Canada's music industry

establishment appealed the decision. These groups include CIRPA, CRIA,

SOCAN, AFM and others that have a vested interest in maintaining the status

quo. Indie Pool has stood behind Satellite Radio because independent

artists have communicated clearly with us that they do not benefit from the

status quo and receive much more airplay on Satellite.

Unfortunately, it appears that our Federal politicians are strongly

considering reversing this decision. Apparently, they are poised to reject

the CRTC's unanimous decision and drive the Satellite radio industry into

the grey market. With that decision, none of the concessions listed above

will be received. The satellite signals will still be received in Canada

(as they are currently), but none of the benefits will be received. Now

that politics are now the driving force behind this decision, independent

artists are being put on the back burner.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

There is a big media event taking place tomorrow at noon at Revival (783

College Street, Toronto) and you are invited to attend. There will be major

players in attendance, including:

John I. Bitove, Chairman and CEO, Canadian Satellite Radio

Gary Slaight, President and CEO, Standard Radio Inc.

Michel Tremblay, Vice-President, CBC

Kevin Shea, President and CEO, Sirius Canada

Stephen Tapp, President and COO, Canadian Satellite Radio

Michael Grimaldi, President, GM Canada

Brian Levy, President and CEO The Source by Circuit City

Mike Levine of Triumph,

Mark Breslin, President of Yuk Yuks

Steve Warden, talent manager of Remy Shand and Tal Bachman

Edward Skira, Editor, Chart Attack

If you happen to be in Toronto tomorrow, and can get away for an hour at lunch time,

there will be a great big buzz coming out of Revival. It's a great

schmoozing opportunity, a media opportunity and an opportunity for you to

show your support for Satellite Radio.

There is only room for about 150, so let me know ASAP if you will attend this event so I can guest list you.

Cheers,

Gregg Terrence

Indie Pool Inc.

gregg@indiepool.com

[Alexis]

help bring satelite radio to canada.

despite the enormous amount of cancon required...it's a good thing to have here.

come now, let's get sirius.

[c-towns]

Mark Breslin, President of Yuk Yuks

whats that yahoo doin there?

[Lazlo]

I'll have no reason to get out of bed if I can't listen to Stern on Sirius come January. That should please some of you anyway.