NNSL/CP (Jan 13/97) - ExpressVu Inc., the first Canadian company authorized to provide direct-to-home satellite TV service, says its long-promised small-dish DTH programming will finally be available this summer.

ExpressVu says it has acquired sufficient Anik E2 satellite space to carry at least 75 channels of Canadian and U.S. pay-per-view television and music programming at rates competitive with cable.

"No other Canadian DTH service can come close to the size and diversity of ExpressVu's program lineup," says president Michael Neuman.

ExpressVu's DTH service has been delayed for years by technical, political and business glitches and the potential customer base is believed to have been considerably eroded as hundreds of thousands of viewers turned to the so-called grey market.

That's when dishes and decoders of questionable legality are purchased to receive bundles of U.S. satellite signals that have not been authorized for distribution in Canada.

Formed in 1994, ExpressVu is owned by telecommunications giant BCE Inc., satellite-signal provider Cancom (Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.) and broadcaster WIC (Western International Communications Inc.).

It plans to use the American EchoStar technology, which consists of a set-top receiver and converter, a 60-centimetre satellite dish and remote control.

ExpressVu's financial foundations have been strengthened in recent weeks thanks to additional financing from BCE.