The Canadian Media Concentration Research Project has posted the results of its study of the state of media, telecom and internet concentration in Canada based on new 2012 data. The full post can be found here.
The report examines competition and concentration trends from 1984 until 2012 in fifteen different sectors of the network media economy. Using a complete set of data for 2012 and up-to-date measures (the Herfindhahl – Hirschman Index, or HHI), the study divides these sectors of the network media economy into three categories:
Looking across the network media as a whole, concentration levels have taken a step up in recent years, notably since 2010. Canada’s media companies are also unique, with interests stretching across the digital media landscape, from internet access, to mobile wireless phone services to more traditional media such as TV and radio.
The relatively recent arrival of new competitors such as Wind (mobile wireless) services, TekSavvy (internet access) and Blue Ant (TV) have added important new players to the scene, but their impact has been modest and their future uncertain.
Lastly, while many see the internet and digital media as wide open and competitive spaces, search, social media, smartphone operating systems, and browsers are the most concentrated media of all. One possible bright light in this respect is online news, which is one of the most diverse and open media of all as, with the number of news sources that Canadians turn to inching upwards over time.
The Canadian Media Concentration Research project is directed by Professor Dwayne Winseck, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University. It is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and has the mission of developing a comprehensive, systematic and long-term analysis of the media, internet and telecom industries in Canada.
Professor Winseck can be reached at either dwayne_winseck@carleton.ca or 613 520-2600 x.7525.
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