Yes—for conventional and discretionary television revenue. The CRTC reports that large ownership groups accounted for 88% of that sector's revenue in 2025.
CRTC annual-return data for 2025 show large ownership groups accounting for 88% of total conventional and discretionary television revenue. This is a revenue-concentration measure for those regulated television sectors; it is not a comprehensive measure of all Canadian media ownership, audience share, online streaming, radio or newspapers.
Yes, if 'control' means account for most revenue in Canada's conventional and discretionary television sector. The CRTC reports that large ownership groups received 88% of that sector's revenue in 2025. That figure does not mean they control 88% of all Canadian media, all viewing, or all online video.
Canadian conventional and discretionary television is highly concentrated economically. According to the CRTC, large ownership groups accounted for 88% of total sector revenue in 2025. That means a relatively small number of major ownership groups capture the overwhelming majority of revenue in those television businesses.
Revenue concentration is not identical to ownership of every station, editorial control over all television content, or audience share. The CRTC's 88% figure applies specifically to conventional and discretionary television revenue. It should not be generalized to radio, newspapers, social media, streaming platforms or the entire Canadian information ecosystem. The word 'control' is therefore best understood here as economic concentration, not literal control of all Canadian television consumption.
Media concentration is a real issue, but the strongest public claims are the precise ones. This lets Canadians see where concentration is demonstrably high without exaggerating it across every media sector.
New CRTC annual-return data showing that large ownership groups no longer account for a majority of conventional and discretionary television revenue, or a material change in the CRTC sector definition that makes the current 88% comparison inapplicable, would change this assessment.
Primary CRTC sector data reporting that large ownership groups accounted for 88% of conventional and discretionary television revenue in 2025.
Large ownership groups accounted for 88% of conventional and discretionary television revenue in 2025 — Supported That indicates high economic concentration in those television sectors — Supported The 88% figure means a few companies own or editorially control 88% of all Canadian media — False The 88% figure describes audience share or all online video consumption — False Other Canadian media sectors can have different concentration levels — Supported
Canada
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Do a few large companies control most Canadian television revenue? Canada immigration crime media fact check
Fact check: Do a few large companies control most Canadian television revenue? What Canadian evidence actually shows.
Verdict: True · Confidence: High · Last reviewed: September 7, 2026 Original source: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) · Verified primary · View original
Short answer
Yes, if “control” means account for most revenue in Canada's conventional and discretionary television sector. The CRTC reports that large ownership groups received 88% of that sector's revenue in 2025. That figure does not mean they control 88% of all Canadian media, all viewing, or all online video.
Claim breakdown
Part of the claim | Finding |
Large ownership groups accounted for 88% of conventional and discretionary television revenue in 2025 | Supported |
That indicates high economic concentration in those television sectors | Supported |
The 88% figure means a few companies own or editorially control 88% of all Canadian media | False |
The 88% figure describes audience share or all online video consumption | False |
Other Canadian media sectors can have different concentration levels | Supported |
What's true
Canadian conventional and discretionary television is highly concentrated economically. According to the CRTC, large ownership groups accounted for 88% of total sector revenue in 2025. That means a relatively small number of major ownership groups capture the overwhelming majority of revenue in those television businesses.
What's important to qualify
Revenue concentration is not identical to ownership of every station, editorial control over all television content, or audience share. The CRTC's 88% figure applies specifically to conventional and discretionary television revenue. It should not be generalized to radio, newspapers, social media, streaming platforms or the entire Canadian information ecosystem. The word “control” is therefore best understood here as economic concentration, not literal control of all Canadian television consumption.
What the evidence shows
The CRTC's 2024–25 broadcasting-sector report says large ownership groups accounted for 88% of total conventional and discretionary television revenues in 2025. The same report notes that radio is less concentrated, with large radio groups accounting for less than half of radio revenue. That contrast is important: high concentration in one media sector does not automatically describe every other sector. The underlying claim is true when stated precisely as a television-revenue concentration claim.
What would change our conclusion
New CRTC annual-return data showing that large ownership groups no longer account for a majority of conventional and discretionary television revenue, or a material change in the CRTC sector definition that makes the current 88% comparison inapplicable, would change this assessment.
Why it matters to Canadians
Media concentration is a real issue, but the strongest public claims are the precise ones. This lets Canadians see where concentration is demonstrably high without exaggerating it across every media sector.
Evidence trail
- Primary sector data — CRTC. Reports the 88% conventional and discretionary television revenue share for large ownership groups. View original
- Supporting sector context — CRTC/Nordicity. Provides broader Canadian broadcasting concentration context. View evidence
Review status
Verdict: True · Confidence: High · Last reviewed: September 7, 2026 · Narrative ID: NAR-20260906-019