CRTC releases commercial radio report
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has released a statistical and financial report on the 654 commercial radio stations in Canada. According to the report, for the broadcast year ending August 31, 2010, FM stations reported higher revenues and profits due to higher local and national advertising sales, while AM stations saw little change. In 2010, total revenues for AM and FM stations increased by 2.9% to $1.55 billion, while expenses rose by 1.5% to $1.21 billion, resulting in profits increasing from $271.6 million in 2009 to $298.4 million in 2010. The number of AM stations in Canada has decreased from 177 in 2006 to 141 in 2010, but total revenues remain relatively unchanged at $307.3 million, which is an increase of 0.4% from 2009. The number of FM stations in Canada increased by 17 to 513 in 2010. These stations generated $1.24 billion in revenue, up from $1.2 billion in 2009. In 2010, commercial radio stations employed 10,100 people and paid a total of $640.6 million in salaries.