NEW YORK, TORONTO and WASHINGTON, June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The
National Hockey League and XM announced today that on July 1, XM becomes
the exclusive satellite radio home of the NHL.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070313/XMLOGO )
XM broadcasts more than 1,100 NHL games per season to hockey fans
across the U.S. and Canada. XM also offers the first and only 24-hour
nationwide hockey radio channel, Home Ice -- featuring news, commentary,
interviews and play-by-play analysis from hockey experts such as Phil
Esposito, Bill Clement, Denis Potvin and Gary Green.
XM's first day as the exclusive satellite radio home of the NHL falls
on the same day as Free Agency Day, the annual start of the free-agency
period for NHL players. Home Ice will provide round-the-clock coverage of
the latest signings and negotiations.
"We are proud and excited about our exclusive partnership with the
NHL," said Eric Logan, Executive Vice President, Programming for XM
Satellite Radio. "Being able to provide our fans with full access to games,
analysis, and overall coverage truly establishes XM as the premier
satellite radio destination for hockey fans."
The 2007-08 NHL season will mark XM's third season of NHL coverage and
its first season as the exclusive satellite radio provider of the League.
XM and the NHL have a long-term broadcast partnership, through 2015. As the
exclusive satellite radio partner of the NHL, XM is officially rebranding
the Home Ice channel to NHL Home Ice.
"This is a great opportunity for the NHL to reach hockey fans by using
this exciting outlet," said John Collins, Senior Executive Vice President,
Business and Media, NHL. "Through this partnership, we can take advantage
of XM's extensive network coverage to give fans across North America the
ability to follow their favorite team and players."
Through its unparalleled coverage, XM provides hockey fans exclusive
access to the action, from the first drop of the puck to the hoisting of
the Stanley Cup. XM's year-round carriage of hockey programming includes
special events such as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL All-Star Game and
the NHL Awards.
"We are excited with this new partnership, and as the only satellite
radio provider to air NHL games, XM will continue to be the premier
destination for hockey fans across Canada," said John Bitove, Chairman and
CEO of XM Canada. "Not only do we cover the games, but we also deliver
up-to-the-second highlights and analysis. No matter where you live, you can
catch your favourite team face-off against your rival -- I know I'll never
miss a Battle of Alberta or a Leafs-Habs game again!"
About the NHL
The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of
the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today,
the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's
international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented
on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are
younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital
means more than any other sport. The NHL entertains more than 100 million
fans each season in- arena and through its partners in national television
(VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, NASN, NHL Network and HDNet) and radio
(Westwood One and XM Radio). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's
charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights
Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, and supports the
charitable efforts of all NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log
on to NHL.com.
About XM
XM (Nasdaq: XMSR) is America's number one satellite radio company with
more than 8 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in
Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, the Country Music Hall of Fame in
Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2007 lineup includes more than 170
digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music,
premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children's and entertainment
programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services
for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda,
Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota is available in 140
different vehicle models for 2007. XM's industry-leading products are
available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more
information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit
http://www.xmradio.com.
About Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (TSX: XSR) operates as XM
Canada(TM) through its subsidiary, Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. XM is
Canada's premium digital audio entertainment and information company with
the best satellite coverage in the country and offering a unique lineup of
premier Canadian and international content.
With 120 channels, XM Canada offers listeners the most channels of
unique and exclusive programming including the most NHL(R) games, PGA
TOUR(TM) and Major League Baseball(TM) coverage, the deepest play list, and
news, talk, sports, entertainment and children's programming. XM will
become the exclusive provider of NHL games on satellite radio starting with
the 2007-08 season. Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, General Motors, GMC,
Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Pontiac,
Toyota, Saab, Saturn, Suzuki and Subaru will offer XM radios in more than
115 different models of vehicles for model year 2007.
XM has an exclusive Canadian license from U.S.-based XM Satellite Radio
Inc., the leading satellite radio provider in the U.S. with more than 8
million subscribers. XM is offered on TELUS Mobile Radio(TM) and on Rogers
Communications wireless, cable and Internet platforms. XM Canada is the
exclusive music channel provider on Air Canada's flights and pre-installed
radios are available in select Avis Budget Group rental vehicles. A live
stream of selected XM Canada channels is available via a three-day
complimentary trial of XM Radio Online at http://listen.xmradio.ca. To
subscribe to XM Canada online or for more information about XM Canada's
programming lineup and radio choice, visit http://www.xmradio.ca.
To find out more about Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. (TSX: XSR), visit
our website at http://www.cdnsatrad.com.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for
XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and
third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well
as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-7-07. Copies of the
filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations
Department. Programming is subject to change.
NHL is a registered trademark and the NHL Shield and word mark Stanley
Cup are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved
SOURCE XM
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