Film, television and video production, 2015

Released: 2017-03-30

The film, television and video production industry reported $4.8 billion in total operating revenue in 2015, up 14.9% from 2013.

The high quality of Canada's production infrastructure, strong tax incentives and a lower Canadian dollar were some of the contributing factors to this growth and helped make Canada an attractive location for foreign producers.

Total operating expenses increased 6.9% from 2013 to $4.2 billion in 2015, resulting in an operating profit margin of 12.7% compared with 6.1% in 2013.

The main operating expenses for this industry include salaries, wages, commissions and benefits, which accounted for about one-quarter (25.6%) of total operating expenses, and cost of goods sold (23.0%).

In celebration of the country's 150th birthday, Statistics Canada is presenting snapshots from our rich statistical history.

Over the past few decades, Canada's film, television, and video production industry has grown significantly. In 1967, the motion picture production industry, as it was then called comprised companies primarily engaged in film production and was valued at $14.4 million.

Fifty years later, Canada's film production sector has not only evolved to include television production, commercials, digital media production, and videos, but feature film production has grown to over $800 million.

Film, video and television production companies in Ontario generated $2.0 billion in revenue in 2015, accounting for 40.8% of the total industry operating revenue, followed by Quebec (28.9%) and British Columbia (24.9%).

Operating revenue increased 31.3% in Quebec to $1.4 billion and 23.3% in British Columbia to $1.2 billion in 2015, as production reached record highs in both provinces.

Television production represented the majority of total industry sales (62.4%), followed by feature films (17.0%) and commercials (8.8%). Digital media productions, videos and other sales accounted for the remaining 11.8%.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (613-951-4636; statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@canada.ca).