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Subject: BLK

Black History Month comes to life across SiriusXM Canada


With limited-run channels, special programming events, and more, February will spotlight the Black artists and changemakers who have made their mark on history

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, SiriusXM unveiled its lineup of special programming across music, talk, sports, and comedy in honour of Black History Month. SiriusXM will showcase Black history and its influence on culture all year long, throughout February, with a collection of limited-run channels and special events spotlighting the artists and other influential figures who have transformed Black communities and shaped society, art, and more.

"This Black History Month, SiriusXM is amplifying the Black experience and the impact of Black artists, creators, our hosts and talent have had on pop culture through our curated content," said Kimberly K. Wilson, SVP, Brand and Consumer Marketing at SiriusXM. "The Power of Black Culture has influenced music of all genres, sports, comedy, and talk. We're thrilled to honour Black voices across the diaspora and celebrate their brilliance."

"While we run channels dedicated to amplifying Black voices and highlighting the Black experience year-round, our Black History Month programming aims to honour the generations of Black artists who have helped shape music as we know it today," said Dion Summers, VP, Urban Music Programming at SiriusXM. "From jazz and blues to hip-hop and R&B, the influence of Black musicians is present throughout all aspects of culture, and we're excited to offer our SiriusXM listeners a platform to experience and listen to Black artists' cultural pride expressed through their music."

Programming highlights for Black History Month across SiriusXM includes:

CHANNELS AND MODES

The Apollo Theater Channel: From the early days of Jazz, through decades of R&B and Hip-Hop to today, The Apollo has been, and continues to be, the mecca of Black culture. Now, SiriusXM spotlights the music and artists that have graced the stage and have been influenced by the legendary organization. The Apollo Theater Channel features SiriusXM Apollo shows (including Alicia Keys, H.E.R., and more), artists who've performed at the Apollo, and those who've been inspired by the Apollo. You'll also hear classic performances from artists who've graced the iconic Apollo stage over the years. The Apollo Theater Channel airs for two weeks on channel 104 starting February 14 and for 30 days on the SiriusXM App.

Notorious Radio: Inspired by the Brooklyn-born rapper, Notorious B.I.G., the Notorious Radio channel will feature his entire catalogue of music, along with music of other Hip-Hop artists and luminaries paying tribute to the rap legend gone far too soon. Notorious B.I.G. changed Hip-Hop forever when he burst onto the rap scene in the early 90s, and his laid-back lyrical delivery tells the tales of celebration and strife. Hear why Rolling Stone calls B.I.G. "the greatest rapper that ever lived," on Notorious Radio for one week starting February 8 on channel 105 and 30 days starting February 3 on the SiriusXM App.

The Whitney Channel: Widely considered The Voice, and the most awarded female artist of all time, the incomparable Whitney Houston continues to inspire and amaze with her signature ballads and upbeat dance songs. The Whitney Channel will feature her many pop and R&B classics, along with remixes and live performances. You'll also hear from celebrities and fellow artists who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Whitney. During Black History Month, fans can also watch the new biopic, "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody" on digital (2/7) and Blu-Ray (2/28), a powerful and triumphant celebration of the incomparable Whitney Houston. The Whitney Channel airs on channel 14 and on the SiriusXM App for 30 days starting February 3.

Black Music Forever: Hear the tracks that currently move The Culture, and discover the music that's on the come-up. If it's Hip-Hop and R&B that's killin' it in the clubs, or emerging Afropop and Caribbean vibes - hear it all on Black Music Forever airing on channel 105 for one week starting February 15 and for 30 days on the SiriusXM App starting February 3.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING:

Music that Moves: Throughout the month of February, SiriusXM's music channels will include a variety of content celebrating Black artists, including:

NBA HBCU Classic and HBCU Legacy Bowl broadcasts: SiriusXM will produce and air the national audio broadcasts of two sporting events involving Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in February. The NBA HBCU Classic basketball game, featuring Grambling State University vs. Southern University, will air on SiriusXM NBA Radio (ch. 86) on February 18 at 4:00pm ET. The HBCU Legacy Bowl, an all-star game that features the best NFL draft-eligible football players from HBCUs, will air on SiriusXM College Sports Radio (ch. 84) on February 25 at 4:00pm ET.

Sports Tributes and Trailblazers: Across SiriusXM's sports channels, Black athletes and leaders will be honoured through a variety of special rebroadcasts. This includes:

Comedy: SiriusXM's comedy programming will take a look at some of the biggest names in stand-up, past and present, celebrating Black excellence in comedy. Coverage includes:

Talk: Throughout the month, SiriusXM will also spotlight special talk programming including:

For a full schedule of all Black History Month special programming on SiriusXM Canada please visit: www.SiriusXM.ca/BlackHistoryMonth.

About SiriusXM Canada

Sirius XM Canada Inc., operating as SiriusXM Canada, is the country's leading audio entertainment company. SiriusXM creates and offers ad-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; podcasts; and exclusive talk and entertainment. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company, as well as on smartphones and all connected devices on the SXM App. For more information, visit siriusxm.ca.

Join SiriusXM Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/siriusxmcanada, on Twitter at @siriusxmcanada, on Instagram at @siriusxmcanada and on YouTube at youtube.com/siriusxmcanada.

SiriusXM radios and accessories are available from retailers nationwide and online at SiriusXM. In addition, SiriusXM Music for Business provides ad-free music to a variety of businesses. SiriusXM is also a leading provider of connected vehicles services, giving customers access to a suite of safety, security, and convenience services including automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery assistance, enhanced roadside assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.

SiriusXM Canada has been designated one of Canada's Best Managed Companies 13 years in a row and is currently a Platinum Club Member.

About the Apollo

The legendary Apollo?the soul of American culture?plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, The Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. In 2023, The Apollo will open The Apollo's Victoria Theaters, which will include two new theater spaces, and begin the renovation of its Historic Theater, marking the first ever expansion and renovation of The Apollo in its nearly 90-year history. Read more about the project here: www.apollotheater.org/renovation-restoration-and-transformation/

With music at its core, The Apollo's programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival. The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend The Apollo's legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres?including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R., D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and The Apollo's forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

SOURCE Sirius XM Canada Inc.



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