OTTAWA, (Dec. 11, 2003) — CBC Radio-Canada and U.S.-based Sirius have inked a deal to bring Sirius’ commercial-free satellite radio programming to Canada. The companies will file an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a license to provide the satellite service.

This subscription-based national service will give Canadians access to a wide range of programming including music, information, and talk-radio from anywhere in the country, including from on the road.

In August Today’s Trucking reported a group led by Toronto entrepreneur John Bitove, Jr. would file an application to the CRTC to launch a Canadian joint venture with Sirius’ rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings of Washington, D.C. A regulatory hearing from the CRTC could happen as soon as early next year.