Go to main content

MTM SPECIAL COVID ANALYSIS REVEALS GREATER APPETITE FOR OTT CONTENT AND HIGHER LEVELS OF PERCEIVED USAGE

Media Technology Monitor releases its special report on OTT services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ottawa – July 28, 2020 – The Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a research product of CBC/Radio-Canada, today announced the release of its latest OTTs in COVID Report. With Anglophones altering their daily activities during the time of a global pandemic, the report takes a deep dive into how they engage with Over-the-top streaming services (OTTs) providing trend information on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Crave, Apple TV+ and much more. The MTM Spring 2020 survey is based on 4,000 Canadians.  

Key findings from the Anglophones, OTTs and COVID-19 Report include the following: 

  • Almost 4 in 5 Anglophones (77%) now subscribe or have access to at least one OTT service.
  • Netflix remains the most popular OTT service by a large margin with two-thirds of Anglophones (67%) subscribing or having access to it. During the pandemic, Netflix also reported the highest level of daily use among its subscribers (66%), ahead of Amazon Prime Video (45%), Disney+ (42%), Crave (41%) and Apple TV+ (29%).
  • With more time on their hands, 1 in 4 Anglophone OTT subscribers reported opting in for additional OTT services to have more content to watch while in quarantine.  
  • After launching in late 2019, Disney+ and Apple TV+ have already found some notable success. 20% of English households subscribe or have access to Disney+, while 8% of households subscribe or have access to Apple TV+. 
  • 2 in 5 OTT subscribers share their accounts with multiple households, the most commonly shared services are Netflix followed by Disney+.

The MTM also released its Change in Media Habits During COVID report focusing on the changes that Canadians have made in their use of media technology during the pandemic. To access it, visit the MTM website. To access the reports  visit the MTM website. For more information, please contact us by email at mtm.otm@radio-canada.ca, or call: 1-855-898-4999.

About the MTM
The Media Technology Monitor (MTM©) is Canada’s premier research product in the area of technology ownership and use. Based on 12,000 telephone interviews annually (including a cell phone–only sample), the MTM has spoken with over 140,000 Canadians (equally split between Anglophones and Francophones) over the past decade, making it the most accurate and comprehensive media technology tracking survey of its kind.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

Discover

December 19th 2025 at 10:10

New to CBC Gem in January 2026

CBC’s winter lineup sees the return of Saint-Pierre (Jan. 5), Still Standing (Jan. 6), Small Achievable Goals (Jan. 6), Allegiance (Jan. 7), and Wild Cards (Jan 7) for new seasons, plus series and specials to build excitement for Milano Cortina 2026, including docuseries Redemption Run (pictured).
December 15th 2025 at 15:30

CBC Preview Screeners: New seasons of Saint-Pierre, Small Achievable Goals, Wild Cards, Allegiance and Still Standing

Preview screeners for new seasons of Saint-Pierre, Small Achievable Goals, Wild Cards, Allegiance and Still Standing, premiering in January 2026. 
December 8th 2025 at 13:55

CBC Preview Screener: Murdoch Mysteries Calgary Stampede episode featuring guest star Amber Marshall

Preview screener for Murdoch Mysteries Calgary Stampede episode featuring guest star Amber Marshall
November 24th 2025 at 13:30

New to CBC Gem in December 2025

Highlights of programs new to CBC Gem this December including Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe, comedy-drama Interior Chinatown, season 2 of Marie Antoinette, and all-new special Rick Mercer Stand Up for Canada.
November 24th 2025 at 11:20

2026 JUNO Awards announce appearances by Joni Mitchell and Nelly Furtado and performances by Arkells and The Beaches

The 2026 JUNO Awards announce legendary songwriter and Cultural Icon Joni Mitchell to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and 10-time JUNO Award winner Nelly Furtado will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, The Beaches and Arkells to perform live on CBC and CBC Gem.