Source: National Post

OTTAWA -- More people and dollars were moving toward newer communications options, such as the Internet, last year, and away from more traditional technologies, such as radio and conventional television, according to an annual report on the Canadian communications industry.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s annual report released on Thursday said overall revenue in all communications businesses amounted to $55.4-billion last year. That was up 2.1% from a year earlier.

The industry accounted for 4.6% of Canada’s gross domestic product last year, the CRTC said.

Some of the key trends highlighted included the increasing use of the Internet and mobile devices to access broadcast content.

“Internet usage among Canadians reached new highs in 2009, with the consumption of broadcasting content among the most popular activities,” the CRTC said. “Twenty-five per cent of anglophones and 20% of francophones reported watching a television program online. Similarly, 17% of anglophones and 14% of francophones listened to a radio station’s audio stream over the Internet.”

The CRTC said broadcasting revenue was up 3% to $14.4-billion last year. The gains went to distributors of television signals, such as cable and satellite-service providers, and specialty- and pay-TV stations. That was more than enough to offset revenue declines for conventional TV and radio broadcasters, which saw fewer advertising dollars last year.

Telecommunications revenue was up 1.8%, or $41-billion last year, the CRTC said. More money was being spent on Internet and cellphone service, though revenue for long-distance and local residential phone service continued to decline.

“In 2009, local and long-distance services accounted for 32% of all telecommunications revenues, compared with 52% in 2002,” the CRTC said.

© National Post