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Movie & Video Distribution in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Brendan McErlaine Brendan McErlaine New York, United States Last Updated: December 2024 NAICS 51212CA

Revenue

$1.7bn

2024

$1.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xm

Employees

1,721

Businesses

452

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Movie & Video Distribution in Canada industry analysis

Movie and video distributors in Canada circulate video content to downstream exhibitors, including movie theatres, TV networks and retailers of physical media. The Canadian Movie Distribution industry has been navigating a transformative landscape shaped by the surge of streaming services and changing consumer preferences. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, prompting a significant shift in how Canadians consume entertainment. Since movie and video distributors rely on spending from movie theatres and advertising, the pandemic caused revenue to plunge. Since then, falling incomes and recreation times have caused revenue to continue to fall despite the strong economy. Overall, Revenue for movie and video distributors in Canada is expected to plunge at a CAGR of 5.9% during the current period, reaching $1.7 billion in 2024. Revenue is anticipated to inch downward by 0.2% in that year.

Trends and Insights

  • The shift to digital has catalyzed the decline of physical media and cable TV. As Canadians opt for more convenient and affordable streaming options, traditional distributors face tough times and are exploring new distribution models.
  • Streaming services are shifting the TV landscape in Canada. As more viewers flock to online platforms, traditional TV programming loses revenue share, causing a ripple effect across broadcasters and cable networks.
  • Ontario is a prime spot for film distribution. With its large population, proximity to the US and supportive government incentives, many distribution companies set up shop in this bustling province.
  • Canada's movie distribution market remains fragmented due to local focus. Smaller companies have built strong connections with niche audiences, making it tough for big players to dominate the industry.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 8.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Streaming services reshape Canadian movie distribution landscape

  • The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered consumer behaviour, with public health measures forcing cinemas to close temporarily across Canada. During this period, streaming services saw a massive surge in subscriptions as people sought entertainment at home. According to a 2021 survey by the Media Technology Monitor, over 74% of Canadians had subscribed to at least one streaming service, highlighting a significant shift in viewing habits.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Movie & Video Distribution in Canada
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The rise of digital media will foster a long-term decline for distributors

  • Higher productivity and growing GDP will lead to a greater adoption of the digital media, which is reflected in the surging number of mobile telephone subscriptions and fixed broadband connections.

Biggest companies in the Movie & Video Distribution in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
Entertainment One Ltd.
74.8
N/A
N/A
Mongrel Media
6.6
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Movie & Video Distribution in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Feature films, TV programming and Other audiovisual works. Feature films is the largest segment of the Movie & Video Distribution in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Distributors primarily sell TV content

  • Selling TV programming to cable networks and other distributors is essential to the success of this industry, as the segment comprises nearly two-thirds of its revenue. It ensures consistent revenue streams through syndication rights, allowing shows to be sold to multiple channels and markets after their initial airing.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry primarily circulates audiovisual works to cinemas, TV networks, other exhibitors and stores. The industry excludes movie and TV distributors involved in audiovisual content production and retailers, rental stores and merchant wholesalers that distribute prerecorded physical media and music distributors.

What's included in this industry?

Wholesaling pre-recorded videosDistributing to TV stationsDistributing to cinemas

Companies

Entertainment One Ltd.Mongrel Media

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

AUDIOVISUAL WORKBLU-RAYMOTION PICTUREOUTSOURCEPIRATE

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 512120 - Movie & Video Distribution in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The shift to digital has catalyzed the decline of physical media and cable TV. As Canadians opt for more convenient and affordable streaming options, traditional distributors...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Streaming services are shifting the TV landscape in Canada. As more viewers flock to online platforms, traditional TV programming loses revenue share, causing a ripple effect...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Ontario is a prime spot for film distribution. With its large population, proximity to the US and supportive government incentives, many distribution companies set up shop in...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Canada's movie distribution market remains fragmented due to local focus. Smaller companies have built strong connections with niche audiences, making it tough for big player...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The industry’s major players comprise a tiny proportion of revenue. Market share concentration is low because of localization, although high barriers to entry reduce fragment...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Entertainment One Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Mongrel Media's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Entertainment One Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Mongrel Media, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Foreign investment in Canada's film distribution is tightly regulated to protect domestic interests. By requiring government approval for significant foreign investments, Can...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Streaming platforms are reshaping Canada's film distribution landscape. With Canadians opting for the convenience of digital content, traditional distributors face dwindling ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Assets (2017-2022)
  • Liabilities (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada is $1.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Movie & Video Distribution in Canada industry in 2024?

There are 452 businesses in the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 8.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Movie & Video Distribution market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Movie & Video Distribution market in Canada are Entertainment One Ltd. and Mongrel Media

What does the Movie & Video Distribution in Canada include?

Wholesaling pre-recorded videos and Distributing to TV stations are part of the Movie & Video Distribution industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Movie & Video Distribution in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Entertainment One Ltd..

How competitive is the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Movie & Video Distribution industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in Canada

Complementors

  • Movie, TV & Video Production in Canada
  • Video Postproduction Services in Canada
  • DVD, Game & Video Rental in Canada

International industries

  • Global Movie Production & Distribution
  • Movie & Video Distribution in the US
  • Motion Picture and Video Distribution in Australia
  • Motion Picture and Video Production in New Zealand
  • Film, Video & TV Programme Distribution in the UK

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.