Film and video distribution industry revenues on the rise: StatsCan

The film and video distribution industry has seen its revenues continue to recover since the COVID-19 pandemic, showing a nine per cent increase from 2023 to 2025, according to new Statistics Canada data. A report released on Tuesday showed the industry’s operating revenues at $1.9 billion, an increase of $154.3 million over two years. The report noted revenues continue to recover from the hit they took during the pandemic, but they are still 1.1 per cent lower than 2019 levels. The StatsCan release chalked the lower levels up to “ongoing structural changes in content consumption and traditional film and video distribution channels have continued to reshape the industry.” Operating expenses also rose by 6.2 per cent to $1.72 billion, but were outpaced by the growth of operating revenues, resulting in the operating profit margin in the industry increasing 2.4 percentage points. Total sales in the industry increased by $157.6 million, a 9.5 per cent increase from 2023. The industry’s growth, the release said, “was increasingly driven by emerging and diversified revenue streams, as distributors have continued to expand their presence across digital platforms.” The appetite for physical media remained low, representing only two per cent of 2025 sales. The industry’s largest expenditure is still royalties, franchise fees, and memberships, accounting for 55.9 per cent of expenses. Industry revenues remain concentrated in Ontario at 92.1 per cent. The majority of sales, accounting for 82.3 per cent of revenues, were made up by the distribution of non-Canadian productions. Among domestic revenue streams for the distribution of non-Canadian productions, the theatrical market and video-on-demand productions saw losses of $24 million and $10.2 million respectively. The conventional TV market, however, maintained its place as the largest market for non-Canadian productions, growing 7.2 per cent. As for Canadian productions, distribution revenues increased by 2.8 per cent to $257.5 million, which is primarily attributable to increased revenue from distribution to foreign clients. Revenues from domestic distribution of Canadian content also grew by 2.4 per cent. “The film and video distribution industry is expected to remain in a period of transition as it adapts to evolving consumer preferences and increasing pressures from the digital market,” the report said. “While theatrical releases continue to play a significant role in the film distribution industry, the growing prevalence of direct-to-streaming or digital-first releases may limit future growth in traditional distribution channels.” news@thewirereport.ca

Film and video distribution industry revenues on the rise: StatsCan

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By Wire Report Staff
|September 29, 2026

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Film and video distribution industry revenues on the rise: StatsCan

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