Private broadcasters in Canada saw revenues rise almost 4% in 2005 to $2.2 billion, delivering profits of $242 million, according to data released by the CRTC.

The total spend for programming hit $1.3 billion, of which Canadian-made programming saw $587 million, an increase of 1.9% over 2004, according to the commission’s annual report on the financial state of domestic TV broadcasters.

Of that $587 million, $86.6 million went to drama, the same as in 2004. Casters spent $310.2 million on domestic news, $59.4 million for other information programs, $83.1 million for general-interest shows and $29.2 million for musical and variety shows.

The numbers drew an immediate rebuke from ACTRA, which criticized the spending on domestic drama.

‘Last year we were shocked that so-called Canadian private broadcasters spent four times more on U.S. programming than they did on original Canadian drama,’ said Stephen Waddell, national executive director of the actor’s union, in a statement. ‘Now we’re appalled to learn that in 2005, they spent almost five times more.’

ACTRA wants the CRTC’s 1999 Television Policy changed to boost scripted genres such as drama and comedy, and to edge out reality shows.

But Glenn O’Farrell, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, notes that the 4% growth in revenue is ‘modest at best.’

O’Farrell also notes that casters have seen average annual cost increases of 4%, and that they face new competition that includes mobile video on iPods and cell phones. ‘Back [in 1999], did anyone think we could one day watch movies on our cell phones?’ he asks.

The report was followed by news that the CRTC is planning to hold its review of the television industry two years ahead of schedule, likely within the next 12 months, to address these and other technological changes. The review stands to delay the licence renewal hearings of the country’s largest networks and brought criticism from lobby groups including the WGC and DGC.