It seems that the rumors were true, although the number was a bit off: XM Canada has added several new channels to its lineup.

While not the rumored 40 additional channels, XM Canada added 10 new channels to the roster.

• Radio Disney (ch 115)
• ESPN Radio (ch 140)
• ESPNEWS (ch 141)
• IndyCar (ch 145)
• ATN-Asian Radio (ch 159)
• Pac 10 Play-by-Play (ch 193)
• NHL Play-by-Play (ch 237)
• NHL Play-by-Play (ch 238)
• NHL Play-by-Play (ch 239)
• Big XII Play-by-Play (ch 241)

"Our enhanced sports lineup further solidifies XM Canada's position as the leader in sports programming," said XM Canada EVP Stewart Lyons, in the press release. "Not only do we have an exclusive agreement to broadcast every team and every game for the next eight NHL seasons, but we also cover MLB, PGA Golf, IndyCar Racing and much more."

[via Orbitcast Forums]

XM Canada is rumored to be announcing the addition of up to 40 new channels in the coming days, according to sources at Digital Home.

XM is expected to announce that it has increased its channel count from 160 channels - up from 120 channels currently be broadcast today. Digital Home thinks that at least 10 or 20 new channels will be added to the pack, including the new ATN Asian channel and Radio Disney.

An XM spokesperson confirmed that changes would be announced shortly but added that the “details have yet to be finalized.”

[Digital Home]

XM Canada has said that they've more than doubled their subscriber base since 2006 for their fiscal fourth quarter ending August 31st

XM Canada ended their fiscal year with 306,000 subscribers. Note that back in March, XM Canada changed how they are reporting subscribers in an effort to align subscriber numbers "more closely with industry norms." XM Canada's subscriber numbers now include vehicles factory-activated when automakers have agreed to pay for a portion or all of the trial period service.

Sirius Canada announced they broke 300,000 subscribers over seven months ago.

[Press Release]