1. CanWest Global
Publicly traded on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges Fiscal year end Aug. 31
Headquarters
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Senior executives
Leonard Asper, president and CEO
David Asper, executive vice-president, chairman of the National Post
Revenues (Newspapers, online, and Canadian broadcasting operations only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
August 31, 2003 August 31, 2002
$1,897.0 million $1,821.0 million
Holdings
CanWest Global is an international media company, owning or operating newspapers, conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels and radio networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the U.K.
CanWest owns 11 English-language major market daily newspapers in Canada including the National Post, Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen, Windsor Star, Regina Leader-Post, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, and Victoria Times-Colonist. Its other newspaper holdings include smaller market dailies, 20 paid and free weeklies in British Columbia as well as shoppers, real estate and TV inserts in British Columbia and Ontario.
Global Television broadcasts across Canada via 11 television stations in eight provinces, reaching 94% of English-speaking Canada. As well, it owns and operates independent stations CH Hamilton, CH Vancouver Island, and CH in Montreal. CanWest also owns CHBC in Kelowna, B.C. and CKRD in Red Deer, Alta., which it operates as CBC affiliates.
The CanWest stable includes specialty cable channels Prime TV, Xtreme Sports, Fox Sportsworld Canada, Mystery, Men TV, Lonestar, DejaView, and COOL TV.
Most of CanWest’s radio holdings are in New Zealand but it ventured into radio in Canada earlier this year with CJZZ 99.1 Jazz FM in Winnipeg.
2. Bell Globemedia
A business group of BCE Inc. (68.5% ownership)
BCE is publicly traded on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges
Fiscal year end Dec. 31
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executives
Ivan Fecan, president and CEO, Bell Globemedia; CEO, CTV Inc.
Rick Brace, President, CTV Inc.
Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO, the Globe and Mail
Revenues
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
$1,367.0 million $1,265.0 million
Holdings
Bell Globemedia owns conventional broadcast, specialty and pay TV properties, several Internet sites and interactive sites, as well as national newspaper the Globe and Mail, Report on Business and Globe Television magazines.
Bell Globemedia’s broadcast holdings include 21 CTV affiliates, satellite-to-cable service ASN, and affiliation agreements with three independently owned CTV stations. In addition, it has whole or part ownership in 14 specialty channels, five digital channels, French-language broadcaster TQS (40%), and investments in several entertainment and production companies.
Specialties include CTV Newsnet, ROBTv, Talktv, Discovery, Outdoor Life, The Comedy Network, TSN and Le Reseau des sports, Viewer’s Choice Canada, ARTV (French language), Animal Planet, CTV Travel, Discovery Civilization, ESPN Classic Canada, and NHL Network.
3. Quebecor Media
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
Fiscal year end Dec. 31
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
Senior executive
Pierre Karl Peladeau, president and CEO
Revenues
(Newspapers, magazines, broadcasting, and Internet portals only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
$1,216.5 million $1,172.6 million
Holdings
Through its two subsidiaries Quebecor Media and Quebecor World (commercial printing), Quebecor has operations in North America, France, Spain Italy, and the U.K.
Quebecor’s media properties include Sun Media Corporation (newspapers), Videotron (cable TV distribution), TVA Group (broadcasting and magazines), Web technology and integration, Internet portals (Netgraphe, the operator of the CANOE network), books and several news, entertainment, and celebrity magazines.
When releasing its latest figures on Oct. 30, Quebecor also reported Sun Media’s acquisition of the southern Ontario newspaper holdings of Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. in a deal closing Nov. 3. The Annex papers include two dailies, one semi-weekly, six weeklies, and two shoppers as well as a commercial web printing operation.
Sun Media already publishes 16 dailies and 178 community weeklies and specialty publications in eight of the 11 top markets across Canada.
4. Torstar
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
Fiscal year end Dec. 31
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executive
Robert Pritchard, president and CEO
Revenues (Media revenues only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
$893.7 million $832.2 million
Holdings
Torstar Corporation’s businesses include newspapers and their Internet-related businesses, Torstar Media Group Television, Transit Television Network, and Harlequin Enterprises, a publisher of women’s fiction.
The newspaper business is led by the flagship Toronto Star and includes Web properties such as thestar.com, waymoresports.com, newinhomes.com, workopolis.com (40%), as well as Torstar Syndication Services.
Torstar also owns CityMedia Group, publisher of daily and community newspapers in Southwestern Ontario, including The Hamilton Spectator, The Record, Guelph Mercury, The Cambridge Reporter, as well as Brabant Newspapers, Fairway Group, and Hamilton Web Printing.
Through Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing, Torstar owns Toronto.com, jointly owns commuter paper Metro and Chinese-language paper Sing Tao, and publishes more than 60 community newspapers in Southern Ontario.
5. Rogers
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange Fiscal year end Dec. 31
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executives
Tony Viner, president and CEO, Rogers Media
Brian Segal, president and CEO, Publishing, Rogers Media
Rael Merson, president, Rogers Broadcasting
Douglas Beeforth, president, Sportsnet
Revenues (Rogers Media only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
$844.6 million $785.2 million
Holdings
Rogers Communications is a national company engaged in cable television, Internet access and video retailing through Rogers Cable; digital PCS, cellular, data communications and paging through Rogers Wireless; and radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing though Rogers Media.
Rogers Media operates 43 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. The division’s TV holdings include The Shopping Channel, Sportsnet (80%), and multicultural television channels OMNI.1 and OMNI.2 (launched September 2002). Rogers Media also publishes over 80 consumer magazines and trade publications in addition to managing a number of Web sites.
Rogers radio properties are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Audience coverage includes key markets Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary.
Consumer magazine titles include Maclean’s, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Flare, Today’s Parent and MoneySense. Internet holdings include chatelaine.com, moneysense.ca, macleans.ca, bizlink.com, and profitguide.ca.
In reporting on the third quarter of 2003, Rogers stated that strong results at both Sportsnet and OMNI offset weakness in the publishing and radio divisions due to continued softness in selected advertising markets and the temporary impact of reformatting initiatives at certain of its radio stations.
6. Corus Entertainment
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange Fiscal year end Aug. 31
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executives
John Cassaday, president and CEO
Revenues (TV and radio only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
August 31, 2003 August 31, 2002
$532.9 million $519.9 million
Holdings
Corus Entertainment is a specialty TV and radio company, as well as a content provider through Nelvana Ltd., which produces and distributes children’s programming and products.
Specialty and pay television networks Corus has an interest in include YTV, Treehouse TV, Country Music Television (CMT), Teletoon, W Network, Telelatino, Movie Central, Locomotion Channel and Food Network Canada. In addition, Corus has CRTC approval for 15 new digital television services. In the fall of 2001, Corus launched a number of new digital channels, including The Documentary Channel, SCREAM and Discovery Kids.
Corus operates 50 radio stations with various formats including talk, country, news, oldies and new rock in major markets in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
According to the company’s annual report, year-end results for Corus’ radio division showed gains in national and local sales for the year, driving an increase in overall revenues of 7%, fiscal 2003 versus the previous year. Television audiences grew, but revenues for the year were down 1% over 2002 due to the loss in revenue from the disposition of Viewers’ Choice in fiscal 2002.
7. CHUM Limited
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
Fiscal year end Aug. 31
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executives
Jay Switzer, president and CEO
Paul Ski, executive vice-president, radio
Stephen Tapp, executive vice-president, TV
Revenues (Television and radio only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
August 31, 2003 August 31, 2002
$528.8 million $468.1 million
Holdings
CHUM is a broadcaster and content provider owning and operating 29 radio stations, eight local TV stations and 18 specialty channels, in addition to an environmental music distribution division and Internet properties.
Citytv and New Net TV stations operate in Ontario and B.C. Specialty channels include MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic, MuchMoreRetro, MuchLOUD, MuchVibe, Bravo, BookTelevision, CourtTV Canada, FashionTelevision, Space, Star!, and SexTV.
According to CHUM’s most recent annual report, advertising sales for CHUM-owned radio stations kept pace with industry averages in the past year but didn’t enjoy the higher sales experienced by companies with Alberta stations. Many of its stations in Ontario were affected by SARS and the power blackout.
CHUM’s report also states that television sales grew 15.1% and specialty TV sales grew 15.2% over last year. CHUM says sales were particularly strong at Citytv Toronto. Excluding the revenues of Citytv Vancouver, CIVI-TV Victoria, and new digital channels that did not operate for a full 12 months in fiscal 2002, CHUM’s TV revenues increased 12.1% over fiscal 2002.
8. Transcontinental
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
Fiscal year end Oct. 31
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
Senior executives
Remi Marcoux, chairman of the board and CEO
Luc Desjardins, president and COO
André Préfontaine, president Transcontinental Media
Revenues (Transcontinental Media only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
July 31, 2003 July 31, 2002
$504.2 million $393.4 million
Holdings
Transcontinental is a commercial printer and publisher of consumer magazines, trade magazines and community newspapers in both English and French.
The company also offers direct marketing services, Internet solutions and door-to-door distribution of advertising material. Transcontinental’s consumer titles include Les Affaires, Elle Canada, Elle Quebec, Homemakers, Canadian Living, Style at Home, Decormag, Good Time, Le Bel Age, The Hockey News, TV Hebdo and TV Guide.
According to the company’s annual report, Transcontinental’s media holdings were the biggest contributor to revenue growth over the past 12 months, primarily because of acquisitions.
This summer, Transcontinental Media bought daily newspaper the Amherst Daily News, weeklies the Citizen and Sackville Tribune-Post, and related publications from Nova Scotia’s Cumberland Publishing.
Last year it purchased CanWest Global’s 12 community newspapers (10 of them dailies) and 32 related publications in the four Atlantic provinces and Saskatchewan.
Acquired dailies include: The St-John’s Telegram and The Western Star (in Newfoundland); The Halifax Daily News, The Cape Breton Post, The Evening News and The Truro Daily News (in Nova Scotia); The Charlottetown Guardian and The Journal Pioneer (in Prince Edward Island); and The Prince Albert Daily Herald and the Moose Jaw Times Herald (in Saskatchewan).
9. Astral Media
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
Fiscal year end Aug. 31
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
Senior executive
Ian Greenberg, president and CEO
Revenues
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
August 31, 2003 August 31, 2002
$475.7 million $386.6 million
Holdings
Astral Media is active in radio broadcasting and outdoor as well as being the largest operator of English and French specialty, pay- and pay-per-view TV services through ownership or partnership (with Alliance Atlantis and others) in 19 network licences. It also has an Internet presence through 18 Web sites.
Owned television properties include The Movie Network and Super Ecran. Astral also has involvement in specialty services Canal D, Canal Vie, Z, Historia, Séries +, Télétoon (Quebec), MusiquePlus, MusiMax, Life Network, Food Network, HGTV, History Television, Showcase, Teletoon (English Canada), CMT, The Score, WWE, Discovery Health, National Geographic Channel, PrideVision, Showcase Action, Showcase Diva, The Independent Film Channel, BBC Canada, BBC Kids, One Channel, Discovery Kids, Documentary Channel, Edge TV, Treehouse, SCREAM, W Network and YTV.
In radio, Astral owns 16 FM stations in Quebec, grouped into three networks: Energie, Radio RockDetente, and Boom FM. It also owns six FM stations and two AM stations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Radio highlights of the past year include the acquisition of Telemedia’s radio assets in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
Astral Media Outdoor operates 3,500 ad faces in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The company’s annual report states that O-O-H revenues grew by 12% in fiscal 2003 despite intense competition and the impact of new signage laws in Quebec.
10. Standard Radio
Privately owned
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executives
Allan Slaight, executive chairman
Gary Slaight, president and CEO
Christopher Grossman, vice-president, radio operations
Revenues (Media holdings only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
August 31, 2003 August 31, 2002
$241.0 million $166.0 million
Holdings
Standard Broadcasting’s primary business activities are in traditional radio broadcasting and ancillary services such as radio syndication (Sound Source Networks) and national sales representation (imsradio). The company also engages in radio-related Internet/e-commerce ventures, national wholesale distribution of pre-recorded videocassettes and interactive entertainment products, video and audio post-production and retail marketing services.
Standard owns and operates 51 AM and FM radio stations across Canada as well as CFTK-TV and CJDC-TV.
Flagship radio properties in major markets include CFRB, MIX 99.9 FM, and EZ Rock, Toronto; CJAD, MIX 96 and CHOM, Montreal; The BEAR 106.9 FM, Ottawa; Hot 103 and Country 104, Winnipeg; Hot 101 and K96, Brandon, Man.; CRN, The BEAR 100.3 FM and EZ Rock, Edmonton; CKMX, CJAY 92 FM and Vibe 98.5, Calgary; and CISL and Z95.3 FM, Vancouver. It also owns three stations in each of the Hamilton and St. Catharines, Ont., markets, four in London, Ont.; one in Pembroke, Ont.; and 21 in the B.C. interior.
In addition, Standard holds 30% equity interest in Milestone Radio Inc., which operates out of Toronto as The Flow; 30% interest in Haliburton Broadcasting, which owns and operates nine radio stations in two format clusters in seven markets – Toronto Cottage Country Network (MOOSE FM) and the Northern Ontario radio network broadcasting in both French and English. Finally, Standard has a minority equity interest in a group of 19 Alberta rural stations and a jazz station in Calgary owned by Newcap Broadcasting.
According to the company, Standard’s jump in revenues for 2003 was hastened by the summer 2001 acquisition of all of Telemedia’s radio properties in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Because of CRTC policy, Standard then transferred 15 of the 16 Alberta stations to Newcap and The Fan Toronto along with transferring several Orillia, Ont. and Northern Ontario stations to Rogers.
11. Alliance Atlantis
Publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
Fiscal year end March 31
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Senior executives
Michael MacMillan, chairman and CEO
Phyllis Yaffe, CEO, the Broadcast Group
Mark Rubenstein, president and COO, the Broadcast Group
Revenues (Broadcast Group only)
Twelve months ending Twelve months ending
June 30, 2003 June 30, 2002
$192.3 million $149.3 million
Holdings
Alliance Atlantis is a broadcaster, content creator and distributor of filmed entertainment operating under three groups: the Broadcast Group, the Motion Picture Distribution Group, and the Entertainment Group.
The Broadcast Group has controlling ownership of five Canadian specialty television channels: Showcase, Life Network, History Television, HGTV Canada, and Food Network Canada.
It launched seven digital channels in its 2002 fiscal year: Showcase Action, Showcase Diva, IFC – The Independent Film Channel Canada, Discovery Health Channel, BBC Canada, BBC Kids and National Geographic Channel. Alliance Atlantis also has 50% interest in two established French-language specialties: Series+ and Historia.
According to its annual report, advertising sales for the Alliance Atlantis specialty channels for the 2003 fiscal (ended March 31, 2003) increased 51% over the previous year, thanks to overall viewer migration toward specialty television.
12. Craig Media Inc.
Privately owned
Headquarters
Calgary, Alberta
Senior executives
Drew Craig, president and CEO
Al Thorgeirson, COO
Andy Pernal, CFO
Revenues
Not disclosed
Holdings
Craig Broadcast Systems is owned and operated by the third-generation Craig family. Its holdings include TORONTO 1, the first new station to launch in the Greater Toronto Area in almost 30 years.
Craig also owns and operates three A-Channel stations in Manitoba and Alberta: A-Channel Calgary, A-Channel Edmonton and A-Channel Manitoba.
CKX Television, a CBC affiliate, is the only local television station in the Brandon, Ont., market and has been operated by the Craig family since 1955.
The company also owns national digital specialty services MTV Canada, a teen lifestyle channel; MTV2, a music video service; and TV LAND, a nostalgia service. The Stampede Channel, a new digital focusing on western-themed programming launched in September.
Since 1997, Craig has been operating SkyCable Digital Wireless, which uses wireless multi-point distribution technology to deliver television and Internet services to subscribers in Manitoba. According to the company, SkyCable will soon be rolled out in British Columbia.
