Information, Culture & Recreation

From the performing arts to Internet games...

Information, culture & recreation services have played a big role in society throughout history. Musicians have been writing and performing songs for thousands of years. Tragic and comic dramas were performed by Ancient Greeks, who also held the first Olympic Games. Victoria's first theatre was opened in 1861, in an old Hudson's Bay Company storehouse.

Book publishers have been around since Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1440s, and the English-speaking newspaper industry dates back to 1666, when the London Gazette was first published. The first printing press arrived in BC in 1858, and during the next six years, 10 newspapers were started in Victoria. Only three of them survived for more than a short period. The first public projection of a (silent) movie was in Paris in 1895. Vancouver was first used as a film-making location in 1910.

Following the invention of telegraph systems and Morse code in the 1830s and 1840s, Alexander Graham Bell got the telecommunications industry going with his invention of the telephone in 1876. The groundwork for the development of the radio industry was laid in 1901, when Marconi successfully transmitted Morse code across the Atlantic. British Columbians were quick to adopt these new technologies. By 1933, there were 16 telephones for every 100 people in the province-more than anywhere else in Canada (the national average was 11 telephones per 100 people). There was also a radiotelegraph system linking Vancouver to Prince Rupert, which transmitted time signals, weather conditions and other information to ships plying the waters along the coast.

Television was one of the most revolutionary developments of the 20th century. It has had an enormous effect on how people spend their leisure time and has greatly influenced the values of our society. The average British Columbian spends about 21 hours, or nearly a full day, watching TV every week. Our fascination with television and movies has been a major factor in the evolution of the information, culture & recreation industry.

...a mix of the old and new

This industry is an interesting combination of new technologies and ideas and old techniques, tools and traditions. Plays written by William Shakespeare and his compatriots are still being performed onstage, as is music written by the great composers, many of whom have been dead for hundreds of years. Even though high-tech musical instruments are available, many would argue that the best sound still comes from instruments built by long-dead artisans, some of which are worth millions of dollars, and are still being used to entertain listeners.

Information, culture & recreation is a transformative industry that is constantly changing

The industry is far from static, and many of the big developments in information, culture & recreation have occurred within the last three decades. The computer and Internet revolution has had a transformative effect on virtually every aspect of the industry, from music and film to publishing, broadcasting, and telecommunications. For example, computer animation techniques have made it possible to create special effects that have broadened the potential scope of film-making quite significantly. They've also influenced the development of increasingly sophisticated electronic games.

The motion picture industry has begun releasing DVDs shortly after they are played in theatres, so consumers can watch them at home. For those who have large flat-screen TVs and surround-sound systems in media rooms, the quality rivals that in a movie theatre, and this has contributed to a drop in movie theatre attendance in recent years.

Readers are no longer restricted to perusing newspapers, books, or magazines that are stocked on local bookseller or library shelves. Most major newspapers (and some magazines) make web-based editions of their products available to users from all over the world. Some bloggers are only published online. Copies of popular books can be downloaded and read on a personal computer or even on a Blackberry™ or other handheld devices. An enormous amount of research and data are accessible via the Internet.

You can listen to live or recorded radio broadcasts and watch TV shows on the Internet. It's become popular to post pictures and videos of family or current events on social networking sites, and to store and listen to music or radio "podcasts" on iPods™ and other similar devices. Individuals may keep in touch with friends by "texting" or "tweeting", rather than picking up the telephone to chat.

Many of the electronic gadgets that people depend on to organize their calendars, communicate with family, friends and business contacts, and while away their leisure time are produced, or supported, by establishments in the information, culture & recreation industry. When you browse the Internet, watch TV, listen to the radio, go to the movies or the opera, call someone on the phone, check for email on your Blackberry™, or play a computer game, you're using services produced by this industry.

What's included in information, culture & recreation?

Radio, TV, films, sound recordings, videos, and information and data processing services were all developed as means of entertaining and informing people, and establishments that produce these services are part of the information & cultural services component of this industry. It also includes libraries; archives; publishers of books, magazines, newspapers, software and computer games; establishments that produce, distribute, and exhibit motion pictures; make sound recordings; broadcast radio and TV programs; and provide wired and wireless telecommunications services, Internet access and data processing services.

Amusement, gambling & recreation services is the biggest employer in the industry

Theatre companies, ballet troupes, orchestras, sports clubs, casinos and lotteries are included in amusement & recreation, as are spectator sports and sporting venues such as ski resorts, golf courses, marinas and other recreational facilities. The industry also includes heritage institutions, such as museums, art galleries, zoos, aquariums and gardens.

About half of the people working in this industry are employed in information and cultural services (broadcasting, publishing, motion picture & sounding recording and information services & data processing). One in five workers has a job in broadcasting & telecommunications, while 13% are employed in publishing industries. The motion picture & sound recording industry employs about a tenth of the workers and 6% work in information services & data processing.

Nearly a third (31%) of the industry's workforce is employed in amusement, gambling & recreation services, 17% have jobs in performing arts, spectator sports & related industries, and 3% work in heritage institutions such as museums and parks.

What's happened since 1990?

Technological developments have led to big changes in this industry

Technological advances have significantly changed the way the industry operates. The Internet and wireless communications have played a big role in the growth and evolution of this industry. In the early 1990s, many people had not even heard of the World Wide Web, cell phones were not very common, and you had to buy long distance services from your local telephone company. Things have changed a lot since then.

The deregulation of the telephone industry in the mid-1990s ended BC Tel's longstanding monopoly on local as well as long-distance telephone services and opened up the market to competition from other telephone service providers. Cable companies are now offering customers telephone services, which are also available from computer-based voice-over-Internet telephone companies. Increased competition and technological advances in the industry have helped bring down the cost of telephone services.

A growing number of British Columbians subscribe to wireless cell phone services so they can stay connected with friends, family, and business contacts even when they are away from their usual place of residence or business. Some no longer use land-lines at all. In 1997, less than a quarter (23%) of BC households subscribed to cell phone, pager, and text messaging services. The percentage had tripled (to 72%) by 2007. Over the same period, the percentage of BC households with traditional telephone services fell from 99% to 87%.

Cell phones have replaced traditional landlines in some households

The increase in Internet usage has been even more dramatic. In 1997, about one in five BC households (19%) subscribed to Internet services. By 2007, three out of four (74%) households in the province had Internet access, which is available from both telephone and cable companies.

The average BC household now spends more on cell phone and similar services than on traditional phone services

The nature of the broadcasting industry has changed, as multi-media organizations have become more prevalent

The broadcasting industry has also seen some big changes in recent years, as media corporations have broadened the scope of their activities. Some major broadcasting conglomerations have become involved in newspaper publishing, as well as radio, and TV broadcasting.

These organizations have also faced challenges as they have had to adapt to changes in the way people seek and exchange information. While many people still enjoy reading their morning paper or watching the evening news, for others it's more natural to find out what's happening by checking the latest headlines (or social networking sites) online.

The industry accounts for a growing share of GDP and employment in the province

The emergence of new technologies and ways of communicating has contributed to faster-than-average GDP and employment growth in this industry over the long term. Since 1990, the industry's share of total GDP and employment has increased from just over 4% to about 5%.

Over the long term, GDP and employment growth have exceeded the all-industry average, but job growth in recent years has been weak

However, the industry's share of employment has declined in recent years. To some extent, this is a reflection of developments in the broadcasting & telecommunications industry, where recent restructuring has resulted in some job losses. The industry continues to face challenges as it adapts to changes in consumer preferences and the effects of the current economic downturn, and it is likely that it will remain in a state of flux for some time to come.

Employment in the broadcasting & telecommunications industry declined 3% between 1990 and 2008. It's the only industry within information, culture & recreation services where there are now fewer jobs than in 1990. Despite the drop in employment, GDP in broadcasting & telecommunications has been rising. This suggests that some of the job losses may be related to changes in the types of services provided by the industry as well as improvements in the technology that's used to deliver these services.

Employment growth has been strongest in motion picture & sound recording

Most of the industries in information, culture & recreation services have seen very strong employment growth since 1990, easily outpacing the 48% increase for the economy as a whole. The fastest growth has been in BC's motion picture & sound recording industry, where the number of jobs more than tripled between 1990 and 2008, as the province continues to establish itself as a driving force in the North American film industry.

In 1990, there were 46 feature films, movies, pilots, and series shot in BC. A total of 260 productions, including 65 feature films, 56 TV series and 37 animation projects, were filmed in BC in 2008. Almost all of them were Canadian or US productions. However, companies from as far away as the UK, China, Germany, and India have used BC production facilities in recent years. BC is now the third-largest film and TV service production centre in North America, after Los Angeles and New York.

Employment in amusement, gambling & recreation has more than doubled since 1990

Total employment in amusement, gambling & recreation has increased 146% since 1990, with strong job growth occurring throughout the industry.

More than a third of all households in the province reported spending money at sports and recreation facilities in 2007. However, these facilities aren't just visited by British Columbians. BC ski resorts are popular with visitors from all over the world, and travellers to the province are also attracted to its many golf courses and other outdoor recreational venues. Fitness centres serve a large clientele with an interest in improving or maintaining their level of physical fitness. The number of jobs at recreational facilities in the province has more than doubled since 1990.

There has been even stronger growth in the gambling industry, where employment has more than tripled, increasing by about 6,300 people since 1990. Just over half of all households in the province reported spending money on games of chance in 2007. The average expenditure (net of winnings) on lotteries, casinos, and bingo games was $223. Government lotteries are by far the most popular form of gambling (48% of BC households participate in this activity), while bingo games (3%) are the least popular.

Employment in publishing has also increased significantly

The province is home to many software developers and publishers and has an active newspaper, book and magazine publishing industry. The 90% increase in employment in the publishing industry since 1990 is largely due to job gains in the province's software publishing industry, which currently employs about 4,800 British Columbians. One of the biggest studios of Electronic Arts, a major developer of computer games, is located in Burnaby. Raincoast Books, the Canadian publisher of the hugely popular Harry Potter series, is also a BC company.

A mixed bag in other industries

Employment at heritage institutions (museums, parks, and so on) has increased 94% since 1990. A 79% increase in employment in performing arts, spectator sports & related industries is largely due to a growing number of independent artists, writers and performers who are working in the province. Job growth in information and data processing services, which includes news syndicates, libraries, archives and other types of information services has been a little slower (+52%), but still exceeds the all-industry average.

What are the most common occupations?

One in three people working in this industry is in an occupation related to art, culture, recreation, or sport. Common occupations within this group include recreation program directors, film producers & directors, writers, painters, graphic designers, editors, musicians, and actors.

Thirty-five percent of the workers are in art, culture, recreation & sporting occupations

Twenty-two percent of the people are employed in sales & service occupations. Most work as attendants or cashiers, casino workers, at food-service counters, or are sales representatives, food & beverage servers, security guards, or janitors. They may also be employed as cooks or outdoor sports and recreation guides.

Business, finance & administration occupations employ 15% of the workforce, many of whom are clerks. 10 percent of workers are in management positions while 7% have jobs in natural & applied sciences, mostly in computer-related occupations such as computer programming and software engineering, or as electronic engineering or service technicians. Another 10% are employed in other types of occupations including some who work as telecommunication service and repair people, or as line and cable workers.

How many people work in information, culture & recreation, and how much do they earn?

The information, culture & recreation industry employed 118,100 British Columbians in 2008. Workers in the industry earned an average hourly wage of $21.65 in 2008, which was virtually the same as the average for all industries ($21.46) in that year.

Within the industry, average hourly earnings were highest in broadcasting & telecommunications ($27.06 an hour) and in the publishing ($24.66) and information services & data processing ($21.20) industries.

Workers in the performing arts & spectator sports ($20.26), heritage institutions ($19.80) and motion picture ($19.76) industries all earned about $20 an hour. Wages were lowest in the amusement, gambling & recreation industry, averaging $17.51 per hour in 2008. The average work week in information, culture & recreation services was 34 hours long in 2008, nearly two hours less than the all-industry average.

Wages in this industry are very similar to the all-industry average

What are the characteristics of the workforce?

Three out of four (75%) workers in this industry are employed full time, slightly less than the 80% average for all workers in the province. Full-time employment in the industry has been falling. Eighty percent of the workers in this industry were employed full time in 1990.

Employment usually peaks in the summer months

There are some seasonal variations in employment, with the number of jobs typically peaking during the summer months, when the demand for some types of amusement and recreation services peaks, and families and individuals are more likely to travel and visit museums, gardens, zoos and other heritage institutions.

Temporary employment is quite common. Eighteen percent of the workers in this industry were employed on a temporary basis in 2008.

About 27% of the workforce has union coverage, slightly less than the 31% average for the economy as a whole.

Men make up 55% of the workforce, which is slightly higher than their share (53%) of the total workforce in BC.

The industry's unemployment rate averaged 6.4% during the period from 1990 to 2008. This was higher than the jobless rate for the service sector as a whole (4.8%), but below the 7.8% average for the province during this period.

The incidence of self-employment is only marginally higher (20%) in this industry group than in the economy as a whole (19%). However, self-employment is very common in performing arts, spectator sports & related industries, where eight out of 10 workers were self-employed in 2008, nearly four times the average for the industry as a whole.

In the motion picture & sound recording industry, one in three workers was self-employed, while about 6% of workers in amusement, gambling & recreation were their own bosses.

These three industries, together with information services & data processing (7%), accounted for almost all of the self-employment within this group. The traditional broadcasting & telecommunications industry requires a significant investment in capital infrastructure to provide services, so self-employment is virtually non-existent (less than 1%) in this segment of the industry.

Eight out of 10 workers in performing arts, spectator sports & related industries are self-employed

Twenty-five percent of the people who work in this industry are employed in establishments with between 100 and 500 workers. This may reflect the relative importance of broadcasting & telecommunications and publishing within this group. Still, more than two-thirds of the workers have jobs at establishments with fewer than 100 employees.

Three out of four establishments have fewer than 100 employees

Where are the jobs located?

Mainland/Southwest accounts for a bigger-than-average share of employment in this industry

Many of the activities in this industry are concentrated in Mainland/Southwest, where 70% of the workers are located. Telecommunications and broadcasting companies often locate their main administrative functions in population centres like Vancouver, with branch offices providing services such as maintenance and service hook-ups in smaller centres.

Vancouver is also home to the two biggest daily newspapers in the province and TV stations that broadcast to viewers in the Lower Mainland as well as other regions. It is the main centre of BC's film, animation, and software publishing industry, although filming facilities are also located in Victoria and other parts of the province.

Establishments throughout the province provide amusement and recreation services. The BC Lottery Corporation, which runs the provincial lottery system, has its headquarters in Kamloops. Ski resorts, golf courses, amusement parks and other recreational facilities are found throughout the province, as are heritage institutions and parks.

What's the outlook to 2017?

The information, culture & recreation services industry is expected to maintain its share of GDP at about 5% during the next few years. It's anticipated that employment growth will keep pace with the rest of the economy, and the industry's share of total employment is forecast to remain unchanged.

Employment growth in this industry is not expected to keep pace with the rest of the economy during the next few years