XM to Become Exclusive Satellite Radio Carrier of NHL

[Scott Greczkowski]

XM to Become Exclusive Satellite Radio Carrier of NHL

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.

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 XM Satellite Radio - America's #1 Satellite Radio Service.

About Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.

Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (TSX: XSR) operates as XM Canada™
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® games, PGA TOUR™ and Major
League Baseball™ 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™ 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 XM Satellite Radio - 120 Channels of 100% Commercial-Free Music, Comedy, Talk, and Sports.

To find out more about Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. (TSX: XSR), visit our
website at Canadian Satellite Radio - Homepage June 2007.

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

 

[Peter Parker]

Wasn't this announced a year ago?

 

[Soulwhat]

Yet another mistake by the NHL. Exclusive contracts ailenate the fanbase. I like the NHL but not enough to change over to XM. I listened and watched a lot less hockey this past year after enduring the strike. I guess it will be even less next. Oh well the Flyers suck now anyway!

 

[Jafoo]

XM is the home of garbage sports.

 

[arachide]

As a Sirius subscriber, it makes me happy to know that I will no longer have to deal my news channels being preempted for out of market hockey games I don't care about.

 

[Williamhotel]

XM/Sirius Merger Exclusives

If and/or when XM and Sirius merge into one company, what will happen with the "Exclusive Deals" that they both have? I'm thinking they will not merge because it has taken this long already. If that happens, no merger, somebody's going bye bye.

 

[drpuck2006]

XM is the home of garbage sports.

Are you saying the NHL is a gabage sport? That's a stupid statement. It's must be nice for a person like you to be able to post in a forum and make ignorant statements and not have to worry about any consequences.

 

[topcats69]

If NHL and Baseball grabage so is basketball and football on the dog. (sounds like stupid don't it) Opinions mean little IMHO

 

[chewey]

IMHO I think that football is the only sport which translates well over the radio. Plus football isn't as regional as baseball or hockey. For example, there are lots of Dallas Cowboy fans who live in Clevland, New York, Wisconsin. And Packer fans in Arizona, Florida, and Seatle. So those fans who can't watch their favorite team on Sunday can at least listen to their team.

BB and hockey are more regional, so people are more likely to follow their local team. So if Joe Sixpack lives in San Diego, he probably follows the Padres, and if he wants to hear a Padres game, guess what, it is going to be on his local radio station. So I don't think there is a who lot of value in the exclusive deals with MLB and NHL.

 

[Bobby]

I live in the SF Bay Area. I grew up in Los Angeles. I am a Dodgers fan and a Rams fan. You don't get coverage from Los Angeles or St. Louis in San Francisco. While most people around here follow Bay Area teams, there are many, many people from out of the area that have interest in out of area coverage.

 

[topcats69]

the only thing that doesn't seems strange to me is if XM and siruis the plan to merge why would they pay extra to be exclusive. Seems pointless to me.

 

[Bobby]

the only thing that doesn't seems strange to me is if XM and siruis the plan to merge why would they pay extra to be exclusive. Seems pointless to me.

Because when the government tells them that they can't merge, they still have some leverage.

 

[Mr Tony]

BOO!!

I really liked hockey on Sirius...hopefully Hardcore Sports 186 can still carry the HNIC games on Saturday

 

[Mr Tony]

BB and hockey are more regional, so people are more likely to follow their local team. So if Joe Sixpack lives in San Diego, he probably follows the Padres, and if he wants to hear a Padres game, guess what, it is going to be on his local radio station. So I don't think there is a who lot of value in the exclusive deals with MLB and NHL.

There is a few issues with the baseball theory. Example is here in Minnesota

The Twins left 50kw WCCO 830 (a clear channel...not Clear Channel) this past year for 50k watt KSTP 1500. Problem is at night KSTP is VERY directional so living in the SW suburbs I get lots of static while listening. It also doesn't have the coverage of WCCO so they have a lot of fill in stations (small stations who are ecstatic to have something to fill in programming) I know Cardinal Fans & Pirate Fans can relate as their teams left long standing stations recently. So XM would be better for me if I had it.

 

[topcats69]

There is a few issues with the baseball theory. Example is here in Minnesota

The Twins left 50kw WCCO 830 (a clear channel...not Clear Channel) this past year for 50k watt KSTP 1500. Problem is at night KSTP is VERY directional so living in the SW suburbs I get lots of static while listening. It also doesn't have the coverage of WCCO so they have a lot of fill in stations (small stations who are ecstatic to have something to fill in programming) I know Cardinal Fans & Pirate Fans can relate as their teams left long standing stations recently. So XM would be better for me if I had it.

I have XM but only prob with BB is the away game are announce by the home so the Twins games this weekend are announced my the white sox announcers.

 

[Bobby]

So what are we saying, we should double the channels so we can pick which announcers we want to hear? I think, and this is my opinion, that's asking too much.

 

[Mr Tony]

So what are we saying, we should double the channels so we can pick which announcers we want to hear? I think, and this is my opinion, that's asking too much.

I'm not saying that. i was responding to the point that most bb fans are local so they can listen to it locally. I could care less who the announcers are

by the way this past Sunday when we had storms a brewin....boy that twins game was real easy to listen to...NOT!

Nothing but static

 

[Tampa8]

I believe it is baseball that is better suited for radio. The pace of the game, and there being fewer players involved in each play make it easier to follow. XM garnered a huge increase in subscriptions when they got baseball.
Baseball can be non- regional. Just check the attendance at ballparks in other cities when the Red Sox or Yankees, Mets or Phillies or Dodgers come into town. The biggest attendance for a single game and for a series in Arizona was when the Red Sox were there. Trop Field in Tampa attendance goes way way up when the Yankees or Red Sox come. Ditto Baltimore, Toronto ................. People move more than ever now, you will find a good many fans of a given baseball team in many places.
Also, try an listen to your team when you live in the rural areas of your state. We have a 50,000 watt station just 35 miles from me in Ct. (WTIC) that cannot be heard well because we are on the back side of their signal that is beamed to the west/south west at night. The local channel is so weak at night that it cannot be heard much beyond 6 or 7 miles from the transmitter. XM has really impacted being able to hear the games. And going on vacation in the summer no longer means missing all the games anymore. On a road trip it is great to listen to some of a game while driving.
I don't really like hockey much, but a garbage sport? Hardly. Those guys work hard on the ice. It is the management of the league that is garbage, not the sport. I think XM has a very good lineup of sports that include college and professional.

 

[topcats69]

yes , I know its not practical to have both team but it would be nice, like the dog does for football. less teams so it works.

i have had XM since it started. and the radio costed 500.

and it is good to dream