First ever drop in subscription revenue weighs down 2017 TV sector results: StatCan

OTTAWA - The Canadian television broadcasting sector saw total operating revenues fall 4.8% from to $7.1 billion in 2017, while profits before interest and taxes jumped 10.5% to $940.7 million in 2017 from the year prior, according to newly released data from Statistics Canada.The lift in profits before interest and taxes is the result of a 6.8% decrease in operating expenses, which fell to $6.2 billion in 2017.All revenue categories were down in 2017, continues the data. Air time sales dropped 4.9% to $3.0 billion last year while subscription revenues fell by 1.3% or $39 million over the same period, marking the first time that subscription revenues have fallen in the television broadcasting...