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According to data from the CRTC, cable, direct-to-home (DTH), satellite distribution and multipoint distribution system (MDS) companies had revenues of over $10 billion in 2008.
Cable
Total revenues for cable companies rose from $7.10 billion in 2007 to $8.24 billion in 2008, which represented an increase of 16.1%. In 2008, the number of Canadian households that obtained basic-television service from a cable company totaled 7.9 million subscribers, up 2.9% from the previous year.
During the same period, the profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) of cable companies went from $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion. While expenditures increased by 7.8%, the PBIT margin improved from 21.2% in 2007 to 25.3% in 2008.
DTH and MDS
Total revenues for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution and multipoint distribution system (MDS) companies increased by 10.8% between 2007 and 2008, or from $1.85 billion to $2.05 billion. The number of subscribers to basic service rose by 2.6% to reach 2.7 million.
The PBIT for these companies continued the upward trend that began in 2007. After posting a PBIT of $17.1 million in 2007, this figure climbed to $81.4 million in 2008. Similarly, the PBIT margin improved noticeably over the same period, rising from 0.9% to 4%.
Canadian Programming
Broadcasting distribution companies contributed $323 million to Canadian programming in 2008, an increase of 7.9% in one year. Of this total, $166.3 million was directed to the Canadian Television Fund, $41.2 million to independent funds, and $115.6 million to local expression, such as community cable channels.
Source: CRTC, 04/23/2009
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