The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says that overall, broadcasting, Internet and telecommunications firms realized revenues of $55.4 billion, an increase of 2.1 per cent.
Canada's economy was in recession or flat for most of the year, and the slowdown was reflected in some of the numbers.
For instance, advertising revenues for conventional television stations and radio stations fell 7.4 per cent and 5.2 per cent, respectively.
But the CRTC says that overall revenues were positive and the sector now accounts for 4.6 per cent of Canada's total gross domestic product.
Broadcasting revenues increased three per cent to $14.4 billion, primarily through increases in the distribution of television signals and by the specialty and pay television sector.
The telecommunications industry reported a 1.8 per cent increase in overall revenues to $41 billion. The wireless and Internet sectors posted positive results, while revenues for long-distance and local residential telephone services continued to decline.
Internet usage among Canadians reached new highs in 2009, with the consumption of broadcasting content among the most popular activities.
Broadband Internet, which enables the streaming and downloading of high-quality broadcasting content, was available to nearly every home. In addition, the percentage of Canadians that could access the Internet using their cellphones went from 91 per cent to 96 per cent in one year.
The regulator says the sector continues to experience major changes with competitors of established companies reporting $18.1 billion in revenues as cable companies increased their share of local telephone lines and residential Internet subscribers to 27 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively.
