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Periodical Publishing: Data Tables

Data for 2005 and 2004 should not be compared with previously published data for periodical publishers since significant changes have been made to the survey.

Data are now 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. For additional information on NAICS, please refer to the Statistics Canada website under Definitions, data sources and methods.

Several periodical publishers that were previously included in the survey are therefore now excluded because the production of periodicals is only a secondary activity for these establishments. This change in coverage heavily impacts our coverage of periodicals produced by religious institutions, universities and farm co-operatives.

Another significant change is the unit of observation. Under the former program, each periodical title was surveyed individually. In contrast, establishments which may produce multiple titles are now the basic unit.

The data are now collected using a sample, which represents 95% of total revenue earned by periodical publishers. It also includes a limited set of financial data from administrative sources for institutions whose combined revenues represent the remaining 5% of total industry revenues. This is in contrast to the census of known periodical titles which was conducted prior to 2004.

The periodical publishing industry comprises establishments, known as magazine or periodical publishers, primarily engaged in carrying out operations necessary for producing and distributing magazines and other periodicals, including gathering, writing, soliciting and editing articles, and preparing and selling advertisements. Periodicals are published at regular intervals, typically on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. These periodicals may be published in printed or electronic form. However, publications available only in electronic format are not included in this survey.

Establishments producing shoppers and real estate guides are now included in the survey coverage based on NAICS. They were not in-scope for the former program.

In order to provide data on a yearly basis, even years starting with 2004 will collect only financial data and the odd years starting, in 2005, will collect financial and characteristics data such as circulation. Please refer to methodology notes for additional information.

For further information on all survey changes and collection and processing methodologies, see “The new culture of the Culture Statistics Program” at 87-004-XIE2003003.pdf.