The report of the Standing Committee by Canadian Heritage -  Disruption: Change and Churning in Canada’s Media Landscape has been released for the government to review on how they can help the industry deal with the digital disruptions to their business model. This comprehensive document is tackling some tough issues that face the media industry like local news, media concentration, broadband access, tax incentives, new taxes, grants and the support of community news/multicultural media.

This document is a good close look at the history and issues and supports additional government intervention to support the media industry. The expected outcome of this document is to look at ways to sustain an independent media industry as a key player in a properly functioning democratic society through a healthy journalism sector. The political goal is to find an even playing field for all stakeholders, as the highest share of the industry ad revenues are going to digital distributors like Google and Facebook and less to content creators and thus is not sustainable over the long-term. 

As expected the report is reflective of liberal policies of government intervention, while the dissenting voice of the conservatives that was included in the report favour a more laissez-faire approach i.e. the survival of the fittest. The report has 20 recommendations and one was a sales tax on on the internet that was quickly shot down by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Even with government support the media ecosystem is oversaturated (digital oversupply) in Canada for a market of 35 million people and future consolidation is inevitable as digital convergence of media continues in all sectors. The current digital ad market is in an oligopoly state as Google and Facebook control 65% of industry revenues accorded to this Fortune.com report and government intervention/regulation is required when the free markets are in this stage to ensure fair competition.

FACTS ABOUT THE MEDIA INDUSTRY IN A CANADA

• There are 1,162 newspapers in Canada 102 dailies and 1060 community newspapers. In 2011 there were 122 dailies and 1042 community. ( Must be all those store flyers we are getting that support the community news sector)

• The magazine sector has seen a 30% increase in the number of titles since 2000 with over 2,000 titles according to Magazine Canada. (Masthead Prediction: This sector will see consolidation and will eventually see digital convergence with the radio sector over the long-term.)

• There are 680 television services with 85 television station of which 65 are owned by 5 companies (Bell, Shaw, Rogers, Quebecor and Renstar) with 20 independent. Television is still #1 when it comes to advertisers

• There are 1,120 radio and audio services with 594 FM and 129 AM stations. Radio has been identified  as the sector least affected by the digital disruption due to its emphasis on local content

BookNet Canada a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards, and education to serve the Canadian book industry just released this great Infographic of the State of Digital Publishing in the Book industry.. 

The State of Digital Publishing in Canada reports are now in their fourth year. Each year they look at the size, scope, and production processes of the digital publishing market in Canada. The 2016 report can be downloaded at this link 

 
 



Here are some highlights of the 2016 report. 

• 37% of publishers produce digital audiobooks
• 56% of publishers have more than 1/2 of their titles digitized
• 52% of publishers have over 1/2 of their juvenile titles digitized
• 67% of publishers are including accessibility features in their ebooks
• When do publishers release ebooks for new titles?
• 5% do so before the print version
• 68% do so simultaneously with the print version
• 27% do so after the print version
• What are publishers' reasons for creating ebooks?
• 80% hope to increase sales
• 73% want to meet accessibility needs
• 73% are satisfying consumer demand

Ebook sales vs. print in Canada

As true this year as it was last year, people are still talking about print book sales being up at the expense of ebooks. The stories this year have tended to focus less on the increased pricing of ebooks, as was the case last year, and more on readers rediscovering the tactile experience of print books and digital fatigue.

While it is true that the number of available ebooks with sales continues to decline — from a high of 88% in 2014 to just 54% in 2016 — some of this might be due to the growing number of digitized backlist titles. It might also be caused in part by a 2.1% decline in ebook sales from 2015 to 2016, according to consumer surveying.

However, while the number of ebooks without sales went up, so too did revenue for 61% of reporting firms: 25% of them experienced a digital revenue increase of more than 25% over the previous year.

Audiobooks in Canada

While the print versus digital debate continues, what has become clear is that audiobooks are having their moment. In 2016, 37% of the publishers we surveyed were producing digital audiobooks, which is a large jump from 16% in 2015. And those firms have anywhere from zero to 7,000 active audiobook titles.

Ainsley Sparkes
Booknet Cannada,Research & Analysis

The use of Facebook Live is a tool that publishers are using for events as a live video broadcast.  Here is a press release for this Facebook Live Event that will be held on Monday June 5 at 10am. that will broadcast an editorial brainstorming meeting.

For fashion publishers, the September issue has become a thing of legend. Traditionally one of the most anticipated issues of the year, it signals not only a change in season and trends, but serves as an essential—and inspirational —shopping guide.

For the first time ever, ELLE Canada is inviting readers to join its editorial team for their September 2017 issue editorial brainstorm meeting. ELLE Canada will take over the Facebook Canada office on Monday, June 5th at 10am ET for a Facebook Live broadcast that gives readers an inside look at how one of the most coveted issues of the year is developed.

“Our connection to our readers is so valuable to us that we wanted to invite them to share in our creative process,” says Vanessa Craft, Editor in Chief of ELLE Canada. “Opening this up to the world via Facebook Live was an easy decision, especially with the opportunity to host it directly from their Toronto HQ – it brings an added element of inspiration for the team to be working in such a creative and innovative space.” 

The ELLE Canada team of experts will look at the most exciting trends and news in fashion, beauty and culture, as seen by its editors at international fashion weeks and exclusive previews. The team will be talking about the things they are most excited about for fall 2017, and readers will get a behind-the-scenes look at how ELLE determines what does (and doesn't) make it into this issue. ELLE Canada readers are invited to comment live as the brainstorm takes place. “We’re looking forward to discovering which of the topics we discuss really resonates with them – and what they want to hear more about,” adds Craft.