The numbers are in for the 2013 broadcast year and most Canadian broadcasters are still doing well  based on the data released today (4 September 20214) by the C.R.T.C.

Overall revenue for all broadcast sectors increased by 1.3% to $17.1 billion dollars. Television was down by 0.2% but it is still a $6.5 billion dollar industry. Radio is down 0.1% but it is still a $1.6 billion dollar business. Once the more detailed data is released we’ll see how AM and FM are performing and how consolidation of ownership is impacting costs and profits. The only sector that says revenue growth is the cable guys who can boast a 2.1% increase in 2013. In particular, Internet protocol television (IPTV) increased by 58.2% to almost $1 billion dollars, which is probably mainly due to the increase in popularity of products like Fibe TV.

On average, Canadians listened to 19.3 hours of radio per week in 2013, down slightly from 19.6 hours in 2012. Growth of satellite radio subscription was essentially static.

What is strange is the level of listening via on-line audio streaming did not grow from 2012 to 2013 and remains at 22% according to the information released. We are seeing much higher levels of on-line streaming in 2014 with many of our radio clients across Canada, but that maybe as a result of the tools, websites and mobile applications and strategies that encourage stations to use.

You can read the full release from the C.R.T.C here. 

Bottom line is that this is still a great business to be in and profits for most broadcasters are still very healthy.