View the most recent version.

Film, Video and Audio-visual distribution

Data for 2005 should not be compared with previously published data for film, video, and audio-visual distribution since significant changes have been made to the survey. Key trends can still be determined as this release includes data for the two previous survey years, 2004 and 2003, using the new 2005 methodology.

The new survey of film and video distribution, and wholesaling of pre-recorded videos collects data using a sample, which represents 95% of total revenue earned by these companies. It also includes a limited set of financial data from administrative sources for firms whose combined revenues represent the remaining 5% of total industry revenues.

Data are collected using the Business Register, a central Statistics Canada database of businesses that have been classified using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This industry-based classification is a departure from the activity-based classification used previously by the Culture Statistics Program. Some film distribution activities which were previously included in the survey are now excluded due to differences introduced in adopting the NAICS classification. For example, establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling pre-recorded videos are excluded.

Despite these changes, a number of data points for two earlier survey years have been produced so that key trends can still be determined. These “backcasted” data represent estimates of historical data that would have been produced using this new coverage and methodology for those years.

These backcasted estimates should be used with caution. Nevertheless, they are our best estimates using all the information available of the data that would have been produced if we had collected data using the new methodology and coverage.

For further information on all survey changes and collection and processing methodologies, see “The new culture of the Culture Statistics Program” at 87-004-XIE.