On October 28, 2004,
Canadian Satellite Radio announced a partnership with both Golden West Broadcasting and
Rawlco Communications that would give the two broadcasting companies the option to acquire an ownership interest in CSR should its
satellite radio application be approved by the
CRTC.
In a
press release for the announcement, Elmer Hildebrand,
CEO of Golden West Broadcasting, stated:
"Satellite radio has the potential to deliver enormous positive impact to Canadians at all levels of this industry - musicians, artists, and listeners alike. I am happy to participate in this application which I believe will have a positive impact on commercial radio, and given this technological development, it is important to license and regulate it in Canada expeditiously."[4]
CSR's application and two others were approved on June 16, 2005; CSR's service,
XM Radio Canada, launched on December 1, 2005.