Canada’s private-sector television broadcasters saw their industry’s revenue shrink by $46.6-million and pre-tax losses increase slightly between 2014 and 2015, according to an annual report by their federal regulator.
The CRTC says 93 private-sector TV stations generated $1.76-billion of revenue in the 12 months ended Aug. 31, 2015 – down 2.6 per cent from the previous broadcast year.
The bulk of the industry’s revenue came from national advertising sales, which generated about $1.2-billion – unchanged from the previous year.
Local advertising fell one per cent to $330.1-million from $333.6-million in the 2014 financial year.
Despite the reduction in revenue, the CRTC says private-sector TV broadcasters increased investment in Canadian programming to $652.8-million, up $33.5-million from 2014.
The agency requires TV broadcasters to spend a percentage of revenue on content made by Canadians.
At the CBC, advertising revenue fell to $220.1-million from $474.6-million – mainly because of an absence of major sporting events and the loss of NHL television rights starting with the 2014-15 hockey season.
CBC also received $757.9-million from the government, up $32-million, for its 27 TV stations.
CBC’s program spending totalled $687.3-million, including $557.2-million for Canadian programming.