Satellite Radio Commanding the Airwaves

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 03:59 AM

Kevin Martin, Communications specialist with BK Two Way Radio says satellite radio is quickly becoming what the two way radio used to be in northern and central BC.

Martin says about 95% of the people working in the bush on a skidder or a tractor or truck now own one of the radios that are showing increasing popularity.

The units (which can run from between $99 and $199) have become the unit everyone travels with says Martin. "In the old days it was the two way radio that kept them in touch now it’s the satellite unit".

Sirius Canada is owned 40% by CBC, 40% by Standard Radio and 20% by Sirius US.

Meantime, Rick Arnish the President of Jim Pattison Broadcast group which operates 26 radio and 3 TV stations in Western Canada, says satellite radio is going to be another source of media, not dis-similar to TV. "We have 564 channels of TV to choose from" he said. "It used to be that you tried to be in the top 3 or 4 of the TV stations in your market" he says "because of the sheer numbers we now want to be one of the top ones in the first 7 or 8."

Arnish says when it comes to radio, "Sirius is finding a tough go of it in major cities while in the rural areas where there may be only one station and that station is hard to receive, they are receiving acceptance."

Arnish adds "The future of radio is much better than TV. " He is confident radio has a great future in Canada regardless of satellite delivery “If you’re true to your roots" says Arnish "radio has a great future in Canada. It’s all about local, local. local."

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