Help

Please select an FAQ Category for answers to many of your frequently asked questions:

  • ABOUT Sirius

    What is SIRIUS?
    50bestlogoSIRIUS is a service offering 120 channels of satellite radio featuring digital-quality music, sports, news and entertainment programming when and where you want it. With three high-orbit satellites directly over North America we broadcast 120 channels of satellite radio to listeners from coast-to-coast in Canada. Recently named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, and surpassing one million subscribers, SIRIUS continues to be Canada’s leading audio entertainment company.

    SIRIUS delivers the best 100% commercial-free music in virtually every genre plus dozens of other channels for sports, news, talk and entertainment. View all of the SIRIUS channels in our channel guide.
    How is your programming different from regular radio?
    SIRIUS is unique because we stay true to the artists and their music by broadcasting 100% commercial-free music. So, unlike traditional radio, all of our original music channels have no commercials – ever!

    SIRIUS also offers original programming — not recycled radio. Our original music channels play songs from the most popular to the obscure, and everything in between. From crunch-core metal to spoken word, from bubble-gum pop to vintage jazz — we’ve got what you want and more. And if you're looking for a more intimate experience, our national broadcast studio hosts hundreds of exclusive live interviews and performances you won’t hear anywhere else.

    We’ve also partnered with Canadian and American media teams to provide you with channels from CBC, The Weather Network, CNN, CNBC, ESPN and much more. See our full channel guide.
    Where does the name SIRIUS come from?
    “SIRIUS” is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major and the Northern Hemisphere. It was named after the ancient Egyptian god Osirus, who was represented pictographically as a dog, giving SIRIUS its more familiar name: the Dog Star.
    Why do I hear references to both SIRIUS and that other satellite radio company on some channels?
    Since the companies merged in the U.S., many of the channels that are programmed in the U.S. are now available on both satellite radio platforms. Because they are reaching listeners on both systems, the DJs and channel programmers tend to reference both. In Canada, SIRIUS operates independently and its Canadian-produced channels including CBC Radio One, Radio 3, Iceberg and Hardcore Sports are available only for SIRIUS listeners.

  • GETTING Sirius

    What equipment do I need to get SIRIUS?
    For your car, you can purchase a vehicle with SIRIUS as factory standard equipment or factory installed equipment – please consult our list of manufacturers. If you want SIRIUS in your current car, you can ask your dealer if a SIRIUS dealer install kit is available for your vehicle.

    For your home, there are several home tuners available.

    For multiple locations, you can take SIRIUS from your car to your home, office, boat and beyond with our Plug & Play systems. When combined with a docking kit or home kit, they can be used just about anywhere.

    Our Portable systems can be used with headphones like any digital music player and also come with docking kits for use at home or in your car.
    Where can I purchase SIRIUS equipment?
    You can buy SIRIUS equipment at most major electronics retailers and our online shop.
    Does SIRIUS work everywhere in Canada?
    When in your vehicle, SIRIUS reaches virtually all Canadians. With three high-orbit satellites, Canadians on every coast and in the far north can enjoy digital-quality music, news, sports, talk and entertainment channels. SIRIUS' satellites geosynchronous orbit means the satellites are more directly above North America than satellites in stationary orbit above the equator. This allows for a higher "look-angle" to radios, ensuring better reception in areas with tall buildings. And in larger cities where a density of tall buildings may cause periodic interference for satellites, "terrestrial" ground repeaters will enhance the signal.
    Am I able to get my local radio stations if I have SIRIUS?
    SIRIUS will not prevent you from listening to your local AM/FM radio stations; all of our Plug & Play radios work with your existing radio without requiring complex installations.
    Can I get a new vehicle with SIRIUS already built in?
    Yes, SIRIUS is factory standard on many of our partner vehicles. SIRIUS is also available as a factory option or dealer installation option. Please see our Automotive section for a full list of vehicles available with SIRIUS.
    Can I get SIRIUS in more than one vehicle?
    There are a couple of options to choose from: if you decide that it's better to have your satellite radio fully integrated with your existing car radio, you will need a separate subscription for each vehicle. The good news is that can add up to 3 additional radios for only $9.99/month each and you can put all of your subscriptions under one account and receive one bill.

    If you decide that a Plug & Play or Portable radio is the right choice for you, you can easily move it from car to car and from car to home.
    My car is SIRIUS-ready. What does this mean?
    If you bought a car and it has a radio marked "SIRIUS READY", it means that you can hook up a SIRIUS Satellite Radio to the radio.
    How do I know if my radio is SIRIUS-Ready?
    Please check with your dealership representative.
    My car is not SIRIUS-ready, can I still get SIRIUS?
    If your car doesn’t have a factory-installed SIRIUS radio, both Plug & Play and Portable radios allow you to bring SIRIUS from the car, to your home, cottage or boat anywhere in North America. You can also contact your dealer and see if there is a SIRIUS dealer install kit available for your vehicle.
    My car comes with XM radio. How do I get SIRIUS?
    If you recently purchased a vehicle with XM, you can still get SIRIUS. Your first option is to purchase a Plug & Play or Portable radio. Check with your dealer or a car audio installer for details on getting a professional installation. Your second option is to purchase a SIRIUS Connect receiver designed for your specific automotive manufacturer.
    Does my car come with SIRIUS?
    If you're not sure whether your car has SIRIUS, your best bet is to contact your dealer to find out. If you hit the 'satellite' button on your radio and see a 12 digit number, call SIRIUS Canada at 1-888-539-7474 and we can activate your radio.
    Can I get SIRIUS for my business?
    Get the best 100% commercial-free music for your business. With SIRIUS Business, you won't have to deal with the hassles of long-term contracts, buying expensive hardware, and paying for costly installation.
    Can I get SIRIUS service for my boat, plane, RV, or truck?
    Yes, our Plug & Play systems let you listen to SIRIUS virtually wherever you go: at home, in your car, on a boat or truck and more. See more information on our Plug & Play radios.
    What can I do if I sell my car and want to transfer the service to my new vehicle?
    If you have a vehicle radio, you can remove your SIRIUS radio from the old car and install it in the new car. Plug & Play or Portable radios can be moved by reinstalling the car docking kit in your new car.

  • INSTALLING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

    How do I activate my SIRIUS radio?
    Once you’ve set up your SIRIUS radio, activate your service by calling Customer Care at 1-888-539-7474 (SIRIUS) or activate online. Just choose your plan and start listening. Plus, pay only $9.99/mo each to activate up to 3 other additional radios.
    You will need to have your 12-digit ESN ready and your radio turned on when you activate.,
    I have a SIRIUS subscription, but I don’t seem to be getting the signal.
    You may need to get your SIRIUS signal resent. Please call SIRIUS Customer Care at 1-888-539-7474 (SIRIUS).
    Why has my radio lost its signal?
    While we do have an extensive network of ground repeaters (towers that rebroadcast our satellite signal to help give maximum coverage) in many metropolitan areas, factors such as microwaves and physical obstruction (bridges and tunnels) can still temporarily disrupt your radio’s reception.

    This problem is largely held at bay by the four-second buffer created by slight broadcasting delays between our three high orbit satellites orbiting over North America. In addition, SIRIUS has an extensive ground network of repeaters, which rebroadcast our signal in densely populated areas.

    Read our Home Antenna Tips or Vehicle Installation Tips to get the best reception.
    How do I get the best signal in my home or office?
    Read our Home Antenna Tips to get the best reception.
    Does the FM Frequency I choose in my car affect my reception?
    Yes. For best results, visit the SIRIUS Frequency Finder tool. Enter your province and city in the form to receive a list of suggested FM frequencies for your area.
    My radio is broken, but I’m still being charged. What gives?
    SIRIUS has no way of monitoring the functional status of your radio. If you are encountering technical difficulties with your hardware, we suggest that you contact its manufacturer or consult your Owner’s Manual.
    What is the warranty coverage on SIRIUS radio?
    If you have purchased a vehicle with factory installed or dealer installed SIRIUS Satellite Radio, then SIRIUS is covered under the regular vehicle warranty. If you have a Plug & Play radio in your car, then SIRIUS is covered under a one year manufacturer's warranty.
    How do I get in touch with SIRIUS Customer Care?
    Contact SIRIUS Customer Care by completing this form or calling 1-888-539-7474 (SIRIUS).

  • Sirius STORE

    How to I purchase a radio online?
    Visit the SIRIUS Store and follow these 5 steps to purchase a radio online:

    1. Select Items - choose a radio and put it in your shopping cart.

    2. Ship To - enter the shipping address

    3. Ship Method - choose between regular and (ground) express shipping (1-2 days)

    4. Review & Payment - review your order, choose a payment option and submit your order

    5. Receipt - Confirmation of your order.
    What payment options does your store have?
    You can pay with American Express, MasterCard or VISA. For your protection, we use secure technology to process online payments.
    I receive the “The credit card you have entered is invalid.” error. How can I fix this?
    If you receive this error message, please double check the following information:
    1) Ensure the credit card number you typed is correct
    2) Ensure the credit card expiry date is correct and that your card has not expired
    3) Ensure the CSC (card security code) number is correct
    4) Ensure that the billing address used matches the billing address for your credit card.
    Do you have gift certificates?
    We don't offer gift certificates at this time. Gift cards for subscription service are available in the store.
    Can I get a radio delivered outside of Canada?
    Unfortunately, delivery outside of Canada is not available. For US deliveries, click visit SIRIUS USA.
    How do I review, change or cancel my order?
    By signing into your account, and looking at your Order Status, you can review your order, print receipts, and find your tracking number.
    Can I change or cancel my order?
    You may be able to change or cancel your order, depending on how far it is along the order process. If you need to modify your order, call Store Customer Care at 1-866-476-8287 with your order number.
    I placed my order, but I haven't received a shipping email yet.
    Some orders can take up to 3 business days to ship out. Once your order is shipped , your credit card will be charged for the order, and we'll send you an email so you can track it. If you need help tracking your order, please call Customer Care at 1-888-539-7474.
    How do I track my order?
    Use the tracking information included in your shipping email to follow your package along its route to your home or office.
    Why is my credit card charged when the item hasn't shipped yet?
    When the order is made, a preauthorization on the credit card is used to check available funds. Your credit card company will place a hold for the value of the purchase and use those reserved funds for the transaction when the order is shipped. If the order does not ship within 3 days, the held funds are released and you have those funds available on your card again.
    How do I return an item?
    In order to return something, all original components, literature, warranties and packaging must be in the same condition in which they were received.

    Then you must get a return authorization number (RA#), by calling 1-877-634-7597. You must package the item with a printed copy of the original receipt, which you received via e-mail, or the original packing slip. The RA# must be clearly marked on the internal packing slip with the returned goods.

    When you have everything ready to go, please send the item(s) you are returning to:

    SIRIUS Satellite Radio
    c/o Fulfillment & Distribution Centre
    470 Hardy Road
    Brantford, ON N3V 6T1
    What if I need to exchange my equipment?
    If you need to exchange your equipment, please call Customer Care at 1-888-539-7474 or send us an email.
    I forgot my username and password.
    On the Login page, choose 'Forgot my password' and follow the instructions.
    Can I change my contact information?
    Anytime you like. Just log in to your Store Account and click "Address Book," or "Change Password" to amend your new information.

  • ONLINE LISTENING

    Is this content you are streaming the same as what I will hear through my satellite radio?
    All of the commercial-free music channels available online are the same as what SIRIUS listeners hear via satellite. Due to certain limitations, we are unable to make all of Sports, News, and Entertainment channels available online at this time. Select talk programming is available.
    What is the recommended hardware and software for using the SIRIUS Player?
    For the best experience, we recommend:
    • PC – Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista or higher
    • MAC – OS 9.0 or higher, including Mac OS X
    • Connection Speed – ISDN or higher
    • Browser – Safari 1.0 or higher, Netscape 7, Firefox 1.5 or higher, and Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, AOL version 5.0 or higher
    • Flash – version 7.0 or higher. Get the latest version from Adobe
    • Media Player:
    – PC Users: Get the latest version from Microsoft
    - Mac Users: Flip4Mac plug-in.
    Is the “Last 5 Songs You Heard” for the last 5 songs on the current channel, or the last 5 songs I actually listened to while surfing around?
    These are the last 5 songs you’ve actually heard from beginning to end. In order for the song name and artist to enter the “Last 5 Songs You Heard” list, you must listen to a song from the very beginning. Otherwise, the player cannot add the song you heard from the list.
    Why don’t I see a song title or artist name in the player?
    Song title and artist name data is married with the stream of music by the Windows Media Encoder. When this data arrives at your PC, it is displayed using an ActiveX control. However, because all Macintosh browsers and PC browsers other than Internet Explorer do not provide ActiveX support for the Windows Media Player, that information cannot be displayed when those browsers are utilized.
    What’s an ActiveX control?
    ActiveX is a set of technologies created by Microsoft for sharing information among different programs. The ‘control’ is simply the use of ActiveX. In the case of sirius.ca, the ActiveX control is sharing song and artist data found in the Windows Media Player plug-in with your browser. It is similar to a Java applet, except that ActiveX controls have full access to the Windows operating system only—they do NOT work with Macintosh browsers and certain PC browsers.
    What do I do when the player buffers and then displays the message "100% of 1K" but nothing plays?
    If you see the message above while trying to listen, please upgrade to the latest version of Windows Media Player.
    Why does SIRIUS Online Listening reload every time I touch a button or change a channel?
    Due to the way our media player operates, it is necessary for the player to communicate with the server every time you change what channel you are listening to.
    Why does the player say it’s “ready” when I click on a channel, but no music is playing?
    Part of our security system for the player uses a system of digital keys. These keys are valid for only a short period of time. In order to ensure that your browser doesn’t keep and try to use old and invalid keys, you must set your browser to cache pages either automatically or to never cache them at all.

    To do this in Internet Explorer, go to your browser's Tools menu, click on Internet Options, then Settings, then select Never or Automatically, click Apply and then Okay. This should resolve the problem.
    Why does SIRIUS Online Listening tell me that I need to download the Windows Media Player even though I already have it?
    There are a few possibilities:
    • You are not using version 6.0 or higher of the Windows Media Player. If this is the case, please visit Microsoft's Download Center in order to download the latest version.
    • The Windows Media Player is not compatible with all browsers. If you would like to listen to SIRIUS online we recommend that you use either Netscape 6.x or Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.
    Why does the channel I am listening to keep re-buffering?
    This is most likely because of network traffic.
    Why does the channel I’m listening to keep closing down?
    Re-buffering is something that is experienced with all live internet streaming. Most often, the reasons for this are because of your Internet connection speed (56K or lower) or because of excess Internet traffic. You can try waiting a few minutes or accessing the channel later when there might not be as much traffic.
    The player isn’t working for me. What do I do?
    There may be several reasons for this. We suggest:
    • Disable all pop-up blockers (the Google toolbar, Norton Internet Security) before you attempt to launch SIRIUS Online Listening.
    • Upgrade Windows Media Player to the latest version available
    • If you are using Real Networks’ Real Player, disable it for the duration of your listening
    • Clear your browser’s cache.

    Follow the steps below: Internet Explorer – Click Tools, then Internet Options. Click on the General Tab. Look for Temporary Internet Files and click Delete Files. Click OK. Click OK again.

    Firefox – Click Tools, then Options. Select the Privacy section on the top of the dialog box. Click the Settings button and ensure that Cache is checked. Close the dialog box by clicking OK. Click Clear Now.

    Safari – Click the Safari menu, then click Empty Cache.
    Why do I get a “You’ve Been Logged Out” message when I try to listen to the Player?
    Your username and password is being used in another location and can only be used at one computer at a time. This may have happened if you have shared your login information with friends or family. Each SIRIUS radio in any account has a single Online Listening username. If this is unauthorized usage, please contact Customer Care.
    Why do I have to enter the letters and numbers from that wavy image when I try and sign in to your website?
    This helps to prevent fraud on our web site and allows you to use the services on our website without interruption. This is known as CAPTCHA, and you can read more about it at wikipedia.org.
    What do I do when I get an “Are you still listening message” and how can I disable it?
    After 90 minutes of inactivity in SIRIUS Online Listening, you will be prompted to confirm that you’re still listening. Click on the image to keep on listening without interruption. It cannot be disabled at this time.
    Why won’t the Player work on my Mac?
    The SIRIUS Player is Macintosh-compatible and works with the latest versions of Safari and Firefox on both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. Microsoft no longer directly supports playback of the streaming .WMV format on the Mac, continued development and support has been picked up by a company called Flip4 Mac. If you do not have the latest version of the “Flip4Mac WMV" plug-in installed, you may receive a "The playlist format is not recognized" error message.

    You can check whether you have it the latest "Flip4Mac WMV" plug-in installed (and which version) by opening System Preferences and selecting Flip4Mac WMV on the 'Other' section. With the Flip4Mac preferences window open, select the 'Update' tab and locate the version number at the bottom. If it is lower than version 2.1.3.10 then you need to update it from that same window. If you don't see Flip4Mac WMV in your System Preferences at all, then you need to install it from Flip4Mac download page.
    I would like an Internet-only subscription to SIRIUS Canada.
    SIRIUS Online Listening is a service that comes free with your subscription. At this time, there is no Internet Only service to SIRIUS Canada.
    Which internet-enabled products are currently able to access SIRIUS Online?
    The following internet-enabled devices have native support (simply log in & listen) for listening to the SIRIUS Online service (SIRIUS subscribers only):

    Stiletto 2

    The following internet-enabled devices require use of a downloadable SIRIUS Online application in order for you to listen on your device (SIRIUS subscribers):

    iPhone (2G, 3G, & 3GS)
    iPod touch (1st & 2nd Generation)

    Ensure that you are running the latest software and firmware on your device. For instructions on how to upgrade your device software or firmware, visit the manufacturer’s website.

    SIRIUS is currently working on an application for the Blackberry. If you would like to receive updates on this application please visit http://www.sirius.ca/blackberrylist/ and sign up for the Blackberry Application Notification Mailing List.

  • Sirius ACCOUNTS

    How do I activate my SIRIUS radio?
    To activate your SIRIUS service, call SIRIUS Customer Care at 1-888-539-7474 (SIRIUS) or activate online.Have your 12-digit ESN ready and your radio turned on when you call.

    Can I pay my SIRIUS bill or manage my account information online?
    You can pay your bill and manage your account online by visiting the Manage My Account section of our site or call our Customer Care Center at 1-888-539-7474 (SIRIUS).
    How can I find out more information about the Service Terms & Conditions?
    Read our Service Terms & Conditions.
    Why do I have to enter the letters and numbers from that wavy image when I try and sign in to your website?
    This helps to prevent fraud on our web site and allows you to use the services on our website without interruption. This is known as CAPTCHA, and you can read more about it at wikipedia.org.
    How can I contact SIRIUS?
    Contact SIRIUS Customer Care by completing this form or calling 1-888-539-7474(SIRIUS).