12 Broadcasting distribution undertakings

The broadcasting distribution sector includes cable, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite and Internet protocol television (IPTV) services. These services allow Canadian households and businesses to access licensed television programming services, including conventional, discretionary and on-demand services, through subscriptions to channel packages and selected à la carte services. Cable, DTH satellite and IPTV services are collectively referred to as broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs).

The statistics in this section cover the 2024 broadcasting year, running from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024.

Highlights from the 2024 broadcast year

  • The total number of BDU subscribers declined by 3.7% to 9.05 million.
  • BDU revenues declined by 8.0% to $6.4 billion.
  • BDU contributions to the creation of Canadian programming decreased by 2.8% to $364 million. This overall decline included a 7.8% decrease in contributions to Canadian production funds; offset in part by a 4.5% increase in contributions to BDU-owned community channels.

12.1 BDU subscribers and revenue

Broadcasting distribution undertakings

Canada’s BDU industry continued to experience further cord-cutting during the 2024 broadcasting year (September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024). According to statistics from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the number of subscriptions to Canadian BDU services peaked at 11.53 million in 2012. In 2024, the BDU industry shed 346,000 subscribers (down 3.7%) from 2023, dropping to 9.05 million.

Exhibit 12-1 Number of BDU Subscribers, by type

Source:
CRTC.

Note:
Some totals may not sum due to rounding.
* Excludes BDUs not required by regulations to report financial and operating data to the CRTC.
** Beginning in 2021, the CRTC reports cable TV and IPTV subscribers on a combined basis.

BDU revenues declined by 8.0% to $6.44 billion during the 2024 broadcasting year.

Exhibit 12-2 Total revenue in the Canadian broadcasting distribution industry

Source:
CRTC.

Note:
Some totals may not sum due to rounding.
* Excludes BDUs not required by regulations to report financial and operating data to the CRTC.
** Beginning in 2021, the CRTC only reports the total revenue for cable TV and IPTV subscribers on a combined basis.