Numbers were up in 2006 for cable, DTH satellite and multipoint distribution systems, according to new figures released Wednesday by the CRTC. Revenue for cable television hit $6 billion last year, up 12% from 2005, while DTH and MDS operators reached $1.7 billion, up 17.7%.

The BDU numbers provide a stark contrast to those of private, conventional broadcasters, which saw unchanged revenues and falling profits in ’06, according to a Statistics Canada report released last week.

Cable, DTH and MDS companies contributed over $270 million to the creation and production of Canadian programming last year, according to the 44-page CRTC report, up from $247.3 million in 2005. Of that amount, half went to the Canadian Television Fund, while $33.4 million was awarded to independent funds and $100 million to local stations.