Create. Access.
Listen.

Music today is truly ubiquitous: streamed over the Internet; beamed down from satellites; converted to MP3s—and played back over a vast array of devices. Digitization has revolutionized both the recording industry and radio, pushing past the edges of the AM and FM bands into the realms of satellite radio and podcasts. It has forever changed the way recordings are made and distributed—spawning a multitude of innovative business models. Digital technology has empowered artists, opening up new opportunities for them to reach and interact with their fans, who in turn participate directly in the promotion and success of their favourite bands.

Snapshots

  • In 2007, Canadians were able to enjoy 1,222 different radio and audio services, including 912 English-language services, 274 French-language services and 36 services in other languages.32
  • Sales of sound recordings around the world have fallen since 1999—attributed to peer-to-peer downloading, competition from other leisure goods and a substantial drop in replacement sales.
  • Some of Canada’s largest domestically owned music chains have closed their doors after losing ground to big-box competitors and the Internet.
  • Canadian albums comprised 26.5% of all albums sold in Canada in 2007—representing continued market-share growth for Canadian releases versus those by foreign artists.33

Heard loud and clear

Canadian music continues to grab the attention of listeners across the country and around the world. The success achieved by Canadian artists demonstrates how support from the Canada Music Fund (CMF) can yield significant dividends. In 2007, a year after releasing their fourth album and a concert DVD on Les Disques Victoire, Mes Aïeux of Quebec won the Félix for groupe de l’année and also chanson de l’année for Dégénérations / Le Reel du fossé at the ADISQ Gala. The celebrated release was produced and marketed with $55,922 from the CMF (MUSICACTION).

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