CRTC releases radio revenue report
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has released statistical and financial summaries for commercial private radio in Canada. These reports cover the period from 2000 to 2004. Overall revenues for Canada's 544 radio stations increased by 2.5% from 2003 to 2004, for a total of $1.2 billion. During that year, earnings before interest and taxes decreased by 1.3% from $227 to $224.1 million. Revenues grew by 4% for English-language stations and by 5.7% for ethnic and Aboriginal stations. Revenues for French-language stations dropped by 4.6%. Revenues for the 164 English-language AM stations decreased by 0.1% from 2003 to 2004, coming to $259.5 million. At Canada's 274 FM stations, revenues increased by 5.5% from $700.3 to $738.7 million in 2004. Revenues for the 15 French-language AM stations decreased by 13.2% to $22.6 million in 2004. Revenues dropped by 3.4% at the 77 French-language FM stations, totaling $172.5 million. Canada's eight ethnic and Aboriginal AM stations saw revenue growth of 4.9% last year to $20.3 million. Revenues at the six FM ethnic and Aboriginal stations rose 7.3% from $9.8 to $10.5 million.