Survey: Potentially 4 Million Canadians Interested in Satellite Radio

Nearly one-fifth of Canadians, or up to 4 million people, would express an interest in subscribing to a Canadian satellite radio service within the next year if it were to become available. That’s according to survey results from Canadian research firm Decima, which polled 2,000 people in a 3-day period last month on behalf of Canada’s two satellite radio applicants, Canadian Satellite Radio (XM is a partner in this consortium) and Sirius Radio Canada.
Decima says the two satellite radio applicants have estimated that the Canadian economy will receive a boost to the tune of $2 billion in overall economic activity over the next decade should the Canadian government approve satellite radio.
It’s unclear from results that were released whether hardware costs were explained to participants.
Eight per cent of Canadians, according to the survey results, said they plan to subscribe to a U.S.-based satellite radio service within the next year if the Canadian Government does not license satellite radio in Canada, which translates to two million Canadians.
A so-called “grey” market exists for satellite radio and TV in Canada, as Radio World has reported, with Canadians using U.S. addresses to subscribe to the services.
Decima reports Canadian retailers estimate the grey market consists of 100,000 subscribers.
When we asked XM and Sirius recently whether the Canadian government had indicated when it would make a decision on the issue, both companies said no.