Yesterday, the CRTC released a study of financial data affecting Canada’s conventional TV broadcasters from 2003 to 2007.

Revenues and expenses for private stations were stable from 2006 to 2007, and profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) improved. Overall, PBIT increased from $90.9 million in 2006 to $112.9 million in 2007, with the PBIT margin rising from 4.24% to 5.2%. However, these totals remained below those reported between 2003 and 2005.

In 2007, private broadcasters generated $2.2 billion in total revenue. Revenues from the sale of local advertising posted a modest growth of 3.3%, coming in at $387.9 million, while national advertising sales remained consistent with the previous year, standing at $1.5 billion.

Operating expenses held steady at $2 billion, and the acquisition and production of programming continued to constitute the majority of expenses. From 2006 to 2007, Canadian programming expenditures decreased by 1.2%, from $623.7 million to $616 million. Of this amount, $143.5 million was paid to independent producers to acquire Canadian programming. Private broadcasters also spent $721.9 million on foreign programming, which represented an increase of 4.9% over the $688.3 million spent in 2006.

Broken down, spending on Canadian programming included $74.2 million for drama, $103.5 million for general interest programming, $324.8 million for news programs, $60.6 million for other information programs, $23.8 million for musical and variety shows, $8.6 million for sports programs and $12.2 million for game shows.

More detailed information may be viewed at: www.crtc.ca.