Cable subs drive 2009 specialty, pay, PPV and VOD revenues

OTTAWA –GATINEAU – Despite a slumping advertising market, Canada’s specialty, pay, pay-per-view television services, and video-on-demand services saw total revenues grow 6% in the 2009 broadcast year, says the annual CRTC report released Thursday.From September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009, revenues increased from $2.9 billion to $3.1 billion, as subscriber revenues offset advertising declines, while expenses rose from $2.2 billion to $2.3 billion.As a result, profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) improved to $728.7 million, up from $648.2 million in 2008. These services posted a PBIT margin of 23.5%, slightly better than the previous year’s margin of 22.1%.Cable TV subscribers...