According to the CRTC, revenues of private conventional TV stations in Canada dropped 1.5% in 2008, while expenses increased by 4%. This resulted in profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) of $8 million, down from $112.9 million in 2007 and $233.4 million in 2004.
Private broadcasters generated $2.1 billion in total revenue in 2008. Revenues from the sale of local advertising ($387.3 million) remained almost the same as 2007, while national advertising sales dropped from $1.52 billion to $1.47 billion.
Investments in Canadian programming amounted to $619.6 million, relatively unchanged from 2007. Of this total, $146 million went to independent producers. Private broadcasters spent $774.2 million on foreign programming last year, up 7.4% from 2007.
Here is a breakdown of the spending on Canadian programming:
Source: CRTC, 02/10/2009