Annual SiriusXM Top Comic competition ups the ante with more cash prizes and JFL Festivals

Calling all Canadian comedians! Registration is open April 9 – April 27

TORONTO, April 9, 2018 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada, the country's leading audio entertainment company, today announced the return of the highly anticipated SiriusXM Top Comic competition in search of Canada's best in comedy. New this year, the grand prize winner will receive international exposure with a guaranteed spot to perform at JFL Sydney in Australia, in addition to JFL42 (Toronto), JFL NorthWest (Vancouver), Just For Laughs Montreal and inclusion in a JFL TV taping airing on a Bell property network. The Grand Prize winner will also receive $25,000 from SiriusXM; and for the first time in the competition, the two runners-up will also receive cash prizes of $2,500 each.

"There's no denying that Canada is home to some of the best in comedy, and we can't wait to once again showcase and celebrate homegrown talent throughout the competition," said Ben Miner, Canadian comic and host of SiriusXM's Canada Laughs.  "We're thrilled to be able to include an international performance opportunity for greater exposure on the world stage. For a comedian, the chance to perform at JFL Festivals across Canada, and internationally, can absolutely catapult their career."

Starting today at 10 am ET, Canadian comics can register at www.siriusxm.ca/topcomic where they will be able to submit a video of their best material. The deadline to register is Friday, April 27 at 11:59 pm ET.

SiriusXM will select the 60 best comics and provide them with travel grants to audition in front of a live audience and a panel of industry judges, either in Toronto (May 22-24) or Calgary (May 29-31). Auditions will be hosted by Ben Miner and recorded for broadcast throughout North America on SiriusXM's uncensored comedy channel, Canada Laughs (ch. 168).

Three comics from each night will be selected by the judges to move on to the Semi-Finals while Canadians will have the chance to vote daily for their favourites. The six comics with the most votes, as well as two additional comics chosen by a panel of industry judges, will move on to compete as Finalists live on stage at the Top Comic Finale in Toronto during Just For Laughs' JFL42 festival, presented in association with SiriusXM.

Top Comic is part of SiriusXM Canada's ongoing initiatives to provide exposure to Canadian talent. Last year, New Westminster, BC's Gavin Matts took home the title and grand prize, with Sterling Scott of Edmonton, AB and Graham Chittenden of Brantford, ON placing as runners-up. Previous winners include Chris Robinson, Faisal Butt, Pete Zedlacher, Eric Andrews, Matt O'Brien and Brian Stollery.

Canada Laughs (ch. 168) features uncensored Canadian comedy 24/7 including stand-up, sketch and more, putting the spotlight on the rich pool of extraordinary talent from Canada. Canada Laughs is available to all Sirius and XM subscribers in Canada and across the U.S. and joins SiriusXM's hilarious comedy lineup, including Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Radio, Comedy Central Radio, SiriusXM Comedy Greats, Raw Dog Comedy, Jeff and Larry's Comedy Roundup, Laugh USA and more.

SiriusXM subscribers will be able to listen to Top Comic content on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go to siriusxm.ca/streaming to learn more.

About SiriusXM Canada

Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc., operating as SiriusXM Canada, is the country's leading entertainment company. SiriusXM creates and offers commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; and exclusive talk and entertainment. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company and on smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at 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 commercial-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 50 Best Managed Companies nine years in a row and is currently a Platinum Club Member.

SOURCE Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc.

Media contact: Andrea McLoughlin, Holmes PR, 416-628-5609, [email protected]