CRTC releases 2010 financial results for Canadian broadcasting distributors

OTTAWA-GATINEAU — Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released statistical and financial information on Canadian broadcasting distribution companies. For the year ending on August 31, 2010, this sector of the broadcasting industry experienced strong growth as the combined revenues for cable, satellite and multipoint distribution companies rose from $11.4 billion to $12.5 billion.

Cable companies

Total revenues generated by cable companies increased by 9.7% in 2010, from $9.2 billion to $10.1 billion, while operating expenses went up by 9%, from $5.1 billion to $5.5 billion. As a result, cable companies reported profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) of $2.5 billion and a PBIT margin of 25.3%. These were both higher than the 2009 results, which came in at $2.3 billion and 25.1%, respectively.

The number of Canadian households that obtained basic television service from a cable company rose by 2.2% to reach 8.3 million subscribers.

In 2010, cable companies employed 24,076 people and spent $1.8 billion on salaries, compared to employing 22,716 and spending $1.7 billion on salaries the previous year.

Satellite and multipoint distribution companies

Total revenues for satellite and multipoint distribution companies increased from $2.2 billion in 2009 to $2.4 billion in 2010–an increase of 8.9% from the previous year. In addition, operating expenses went up by 4%, from $1.75 billion to $1.82 billion.

Over the last five years, these companies’ PBIT has improved significantly from a deficit of $32 million in 2006 to a profit of $163.9 million in 2010. The PBIT margin followed a similar trajectory during the same period, rising from a negative profit margin of -1.9% to a positive profit margin of 6.8%.

The number of Canadian households that obtained basic television service from satellite or multipoint distribution companies increased by 3.7% in 2010 to reach 2.9 million.

In 2010, these companies employed 2,704 people and paid $232.7 million in salaries. In comparison, they employed 2,982 people and paid $226.2 million in salaries the previous year.

More: Statistical and Financial Summaries 2006-2010