SiriusXM's Top Comic is back with the biggest grand prize yet - $25,000 - plus showcases at all three of Canada's biggest comedy festivals

- Registration opens today -

TORONTO, April 19, 2016 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada (TSX: XSR), the country's leading audio entertainment company, today announced the return of its highly anticipated Top Comic competition and has upped the ante with a $25,000 grand prize and a guaranteed spot at three of Canada's biggest comedy festivals in 2017: JFL42 (Toronto), JFL NorthWest (Vancouver), and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, including JFL: All Access, airing on The Comedy Network.

Also new this year are travel grants for the 72 comics from across Canada who are selected to audition in either Toronto or Vancouver. This will be the seventh year the contest will comb the country in search of the crème de la crème of comedic talent.

As of today, Canadian comics can register at www.siriusxm.ca/topcomic where they will be able to submit a video of their best material. Once SiriusXM selects the 72 best submissions, comedians will go mic-to-mic before a live audience and a panel of SirusXM judges over six nights in Toronto and Vancouver. Auditions from the tour will be recorded for broadcast and can be heard throughout North America on SiriusXM Canada's uncensored comedy channel, Canada Laughs (ch. 168).

The 2016 audition tour will take place in Toronto and Vancouver on the following dates:

• June 12 - Yuk Yuks, Vancouver
• June 14/15 – The Comedy Mix, Vancouver
• June 20 - The Rivoli, Toronto
• June 28 – The Drake Underground, Toronto
• June 29 - Yuk Yuk's, Toronto

Judges will select three comics from each audition to move on to the next phase. The videos from each of their auditions will be uploaded to the SiriusXM Top Comic website and Canadians will have the chance to vote for their favourite comic this summer. The eight comedians with the most votes will move on to compete in the Top Comic Finale in Toronto during JFL42, presented by Air Canada in association with SiriusXM. A winner will be selected during the finale by an esteemed panel of judges (TBA).

"We're thrilled to bring back the Top Comic competition again this year and proud to be able to expand the grand prize to include more performance opportunities and a substantial increase in prize money," said Ben Miner, Canadian comic and host of SiriusXM's Canada Laughs. "This competition not only introduces audiences to Canadian talent, but also provides comics with a platform and exposure to millions of listeners across North America."

Top Comic is part of SiriusXM Canada's ongoing initiatives to provide exposure to Canadian talent. Last year, Montreal's Derek Seguin took home the title and grand prize, with Matt Billon of Vancouver and Jordan Welwood of Winnipeg placing as runners-up. Previous winners include Faisal Butt, Pete Zedlacher, Eric Andrews, Matt O'Brien and Brian Stollery.

Canada Laughs (channel 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 Comedy Central Radio, SiriusXM Comedy Greats, Raw Dog Comedy, The Foxxhole, Jeff and Larry's Comedy Roundup, Laugh USA and more.

Those satellite radio subscribers who add SiriusXM Streaming access to their subscription can also listen to Canada Laughs on the SiriusXM App and online. 

To learn more visit www.siriusxm.ca/topcomic

About SiriusXM Canada
Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. (TSX: XSR) operates as SiriusXM Canada. SiriusXM Canada, with approximately 2.7 million subscribers, is the country's leading audio entertainment company and broadcasts more than 130 satellite radio channels featuring premier sports, news, talk, entertainment and commercial-free music. SiriusXM Canada offers an array of content from the most recognized news, entertainment and major sports brands including the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, CNN, CBC, FOX, BBC, Howard Stern, Disney, Comedy Central and more.

SiriusXM programming is available on a variety of devices including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks and boats, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. SiriusXM programming is also available online at www.siriusxm.ca and on Apple and Android-powered mobile devices.

SiriusXM Canada has partnerships with every major automaker and its radio products are available at more than 2,500 retail locations nationwide. To find out more about SiriusXM Canada (TSX: XSR), visit our website at www.siriusxm.ca.

SiriusXM Canada has been designated one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies seven years in a row and is currently a Platinum Club Member, in addition to 2013, 2014 and 2015 rankings in PROFIT 500's list of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies.

Join SiriusXM Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/siriusxmcanada, on Twitter at twitter.com/siriusxmcanada and on Youtube at youtube.com/siriusxmcanada.

SOURCE SiriusXM Canada

Vanessa Andres, Holmes PR, 416-628-5612, [email protected]; Andrea McLoughlin, Holmes PR, 416-628-5609, [email protected]