Yesterday the CRTC approved all of the satellite and digital audio network applications it had before it. As a side bar they also announced their new marketing slogan and branding initiative, which will be based on the theme: "Now, more useless than ever."

My intial read of the exceptions list in the decision indicates that this is just another Canadian fine whine. Sure Canadians can have all the satellite radio they like, provided each channel is offered in both official languages on equipment that only plays artists sponsored by the Canada Council while owners of the service drive unicycles in each province simultaneously while rubbing their bellies shouting "we are Canadians, we are not Americans".

In deference to Tod, if the CBC wants to be on the bird (they are partners with Sirius) why do they need all the schlocky, 1971 pro-Canadian, "protect our culture" crap wrapped around their programming. Why not compete straight-up against the likes of NPR, C-Span, BBC World, WRN and PRI -- all of whom currently have Sirius channels. In a global context, the CRTC's decision is one of the most protectionist actions of the last 15 years. What happened to the concept of a marketplace? In its place the CRTC imposes rules on the number of channels that must be "Canadian" (ie: at least 10% of all available channels). Of those, 25% must be in French. Hello, CRTC? If I live in Restigouche and I want Sirius, um, it won't be for the stunning variety of French language programming services available to me. In Quebec and New Brunswick, terrestrial radio has and will provide vastly superior French language programming variety than the paltry number of quota derived channels the CRTC is demanding. Give me a freaking break.

This country already has inadequate satellite TV service, with a steadily decreasing choice of programming, from networks that have learned how to block program across dozens of time zone and channel combinations. Now we have the thought police introducing a bunch of new rules for same-think broadcasting elites to play with on a new medium. Satellite radio here won't be excellent, it will just be Canadian.

Meanwhile, media and Government wonder why podcasting is taking off.