Canada's media landscape is characterized by a dual structure of public and private ownership, with significant concentration in the private sector. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC/Radio-Canada) serves as the national public broadcaster, operating as a Crown corporation with services in English, French, and eight Indigenous languages, reaching audiences across television, radio, and digital platforms.
Media Ownership and Market Structure
The private sector is dominated by a small number of major conglomerates that control the majority of media outlets. Bell Media owns CTV networks, specialty channels including TSN and BNN Bloomberg, and streaming service Crave, controlling approximately 21% of market share. Rogers Communications operates Sportsnet, Citytv, and owns the Toronto Blue Jays, recently becoming majority owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment with a 75% stake.
Corus Entertainment controls the Global Television network with 15 conventional stations and 25 specialty services including HGTV Canada and Food Network. Quebecor Media dominates French-language markets through TVA and Vidéotron, serving primarily Quebec audiences. This concentration has intensified through multiple waves of consolidation since the 1990s, with vertical integration allowing companies to control both content production and distribution infrastructure.
Regulatory Framework and Digital Evolution
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) serves as the primary regulatory authority, operating at arm's length from government while enforcing policies under the Broadcasting Act and Telecommunications Act. The CRTC's regulatory framework includes Canadian Content Requirements (CanCon), the Online Streaming Act (2023), and the Online News Act (Bill C-18, 2023).
Canada has achieved remarkably high digital media penetration, with 95.2% of the population accessing the internet and 79.4% active on social media platforms as of 2025. Mobile devices have become the dominant access point, accounting for 64% of all web traffic. The streaming revolution has fundamentally transformed content consumption patterns, with 55% of television viewers using ad-supported streaming services.
Leading Television Channels
CBC Television
: CBC Television is Canada’s national public broadcaster, offering a wide range of programming including news, original series, drama, documentaries, sports, and entertainment. It emphasizes Canadian content and is known for shows like “Schitt’s Creek,” “The Nature of Things,” and national news coverage.
CTV
: CTV is one of Canada’s largest privately owned national television networks, airing popular American shows, Canadian dramas, news, sports, and reality programs. It is known for its comprehensive national and local news coverage, as well as hit series such as “The Amazing Race Canada.”
Global Television
: Global Television is a major commercial network offering a mix of American and Canadian content, including primetime dramas, comedies, reality TV, and news programming. Global News is a primary source of national and international news for Canadians.
Citytv
: Citytv is an English-language television network operating in key Canadian urban markets. It focuses on local news, entertainment, lifestyle, and original programming, often targeting younger audiences with diverse, contemporary content.
CBC News Network
: The CBC News Network is a 24/7 cable news channel providing breaking news, analysis, and in-depth reports on Canadian and international events. It is known for its journalistic integrity and comprehensive coverage of major stories.
CTV Life
: CTV Life is a lifestyle-focused cable channel offering programming on food, home improvement, real estate, health, and wellness. It features reality shows, how-to series, and documentaries aimed at viewers interested in lifestyle and practical information.
Crave
: Crave is a premium streaming service (not a traditional channel but widely accessed through cable/satellite providers) that offers a vast library of Canadian, HBO, and Showtime content. It is known for its exclusive series, movies, and original programming, catering to a diverse range of interests.
Sportsnet
: Sportsnet is a leading sports broadcaster, featuring live coverage of major league sports (NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL), Canadian sports (CFL, curling), and original sports programming. It operates multiple regional feeds for comprehensive local coverage.
TSN (The Sports Network)
: TSN is another dominant sports network in Canada, airing live sports, news, and analysis. It is particularly known for its NHL, CFL, and NFL coverage, as well as esports and original sports programming.
Discovery
: Discovery is an international channel available in Canada, delivering factual entertainment, including science, technology, nature, adventure, and reality-based shows. It appeals to viewers interested in educational and entertaining documentary-style content.
Major Radio Broadcasting Networks
CBC Radio One: National public radio network offering comprehensive news, documentaries, talk shows, and local coverage, known for in-depth journalism and cultural programming, consistently leading in listener ratings across major Canadian markets such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
CHUM-FM (Toronto): Toronto's leading adult contemporary station playing a mix of current hits, pop, and light rock, especially popular with women 25–54 and recognized for lively morning shows and strong local presence.
CIDC Z103.5 FM (Toronto): Premier Top 40 and pop station in Toronto targeting a youthful audience with the latest chart hits, celebrity news, and energetic on-air personalities.
CFRA News Talk Radio 580 AM (Ottawa): Ottawa's top news talk station providing local and national news, talk shows, sports, and community affairs, serving as a primary news source for the capital region.
CHFI-FM (Toronto): Toronto's classic hits station specializing in adult contemporary music with a focus on the greatest hits from the 80s, 90s, and today, particularly popular among women 18–34.
98.5 FM (Montreal): Montreal's leading French-language talk radio station offering news, sports, talk shows, and interviews, dominating the market with a broad audience across demographics.
CKFM 99.9 Virgin Radio Toronto: Major Top 40 station delivering current music hits, pop culture content, and interactive morning shows, appealing to a young, urban audience.
CKNW 980 AM (Vancouver): Vancouver's premier news and talk station providing local and international news, talk shows, and expert commentary, consistently leading in listener share.
CFRB Newstalk 1010 (Toronto): Long-standing news and talk station in Toronto offering news analysis, talk shows, and sports coverage, with a reputation for in-depth discussion.
CJAD 800 AM (Montreal): Montreal's top English-language talk and news station focusing on local news, sports, talk shows, and community issues, maintaining strong listener loyalty in Quebec's Anglophone community.
Media Consumption Patterns & Audience Behavior
Penetration Rates and Digital Dominance
Canadians spend most media time online, with smartphones as the primary screen. Roughly four in five Canadians use social platforms weekly; YouTube reaches well over half the population and drives video discovery. Streaming and podcasts continue to gain share as audiences migrate from linear schedules to on‑demand formats.
Television remains relevant via connected TVs and live events, while radio sustains strong weekly reach even as listening shifts to digital streams. Print continues to contract; however, newspapers and magazines retain higher perceived advertising trust among older audiences.
Demographic Shifts and Platform Preferences
Gen Z leads in social video and on‑demand usage; Millennials balance digital with trusted legacy brands. Gen X and Boomers favor TV and radio but increasingly use connected devices for catch‑up and streaming.
Advertisers follow audiences to digital video and CTV, while leveraging national TV for reach. Sportsnet, Citytv, TSN, and CTV remain high‑receptivity brands; YouTube and major SVODs anchor video planning.
Market Metrics & Industry Statistics
Trust Levels and Misinformation Concerns
Television news emerges as the most trusted medium in Canada, with 85% rating TV news as trustworthy. The Weather Network holds distinction as Canada's most trusted media organization for the third consecutive year at 73%, while CBC commands 72% trust, CTV 67%, and Global 65%. Traditional media generally enjoys higher trust than digital platforms, with newspapers and radio both at 85%, while social media faces severe deficits at only 13% in top trust categories. Concern about misinformation has reached critical levels, with 90% of Canadians expressing worry about fake news, and 61% indicating they have grown more concerned over the past three years.
When identifying threats to information integrity, influencers and online personalities are considered major threats by 54% of respondents, surpassing concerns about foreign governments at 50%. Facebook emerges as a primary concern with 54% identifying it as a major disinformation threat, while TikTok follows at 52%. Television remains the dominant platform for news consumption, with 60% of Canadians accessing national news via traditional TV channels weekly, and 96% rating access to Canadian news and journalism as important.
Media Trust & Consumer Preferences
Daily Media Consumption Patterns
Connected TV, mobile, and computers account for most daily media time. Digital audio now leads total audio share, with podcasts strongest among younger, urban, and highly educated listeners. Mobile exceeds TV and desktop for daily minutes.
Urban audiences adopt streaming, podcasts, and smart TVs fastest; rural audiences retain stronger habits around broadcast TV and radio due to access differences. Generational splits are pronounced, with Boomers leaning TV and Gen Z favoring social and short‑form video.
