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  • Canadian Children's Media White Paper

    Industry Survey

    This survey is part of a national research initiative examining the future of Canadian children's media at a critical time of change in the industry. Conducted by OneFish TwoFish Consulting on behalf of the Shaw Rocket Fund, we are developing a White Paper to provide policy recommendations and industry insights as traditional funding models collapse and digital platforms reshape how young audiences consume content.

    Research like this is only as strong as the voices behind it. The people working inside this industry every day are the ones who actually understand what's happening and what's at stake. The findings will shape how funders, platforms, governments, regulators and decision-makers understand this industry so please take the time to share your thoughts so your experience can be part of that picture. 

    The survey takes approximately 25 - 45 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential. We appreciate how busy you are, so you can save your responses and return to it, if needed.  Results will be reported in aggregate.  The deadline to complete the survey is April 8th, 2026.

    This survey is available in English and French. Pour la version française, veuillez cliquer ici.

    Need more time to complete the survey? How to save your progress

    You can pause the survey at any time and return to it later from any device.

    1. Click "Save": Locate the “Save” button next to "Submit" at the bottom of the page.
    2. Skip Account Creation: When the dialog box appears, click "Skip Create an Account" at the bottom.
    3. Save Your Link: * Enter your email address to have the link sent to your inbox, OR
      Click "Get Draft Link" to copy and save the link manually.
    4. Resume: Simply click your saved link to pick up right where you left off.

  • Section 1: About You

    These questions help us understand who is responding so we can analyze patterns across different parts of the industry.
  • What best describes your primary role in the children's media industry?*
  • What type of content do you primarily work on?*
  • Do you primarily create content in:*
  • Which platforms or channels are central to your work?*
  • Where is your organization primarily based?*
  • Which age group(s) does your content target?*
  • Traditional children's media has long used broadcast-defined age categories (preschool, 6-12, tween, etc.) to classify audiences. As content has shifted to streaming and digital platforms, do you think these categories still serve the industry well?*

  • Section 2: The Current Landscape

    These questions explore your experience of how the children's media industry has shifted.
  • How would you describe the current health of the Canadian children's media industry?*
  • In your area of the industry, what has changed most significantly in the past five years? Select up to five of the biggest changes.*
  • If your work is primarily in French, how have these changes affected French-language children's content specifically? (optional)
  • Have you considered or are you doing more international co-productions with the contraction of the US kids market?*

  • Section 3: International Co-Productions

  • How do you currently feel about international co-productions?*
  • In your experience, are you able to maintain authentic Canadian children's voices when pursuing international co-productions?*
  • Does the split of the co-production play a role in success or challenges?*

  • Section 4: Discoverability

  •
  • What barriers most affect discoverability for Canadian children's content on digital platforms? Select up to five that impact Canadian children’s content the most.*
  • Do you have adequate access to platform data to understand how Canadian children engage with your content?*
  • [If your work is primarily in French] Which of the following best describes the biggest discoverability barrier for French-language Canadian children's content? Select up to three: (optional)

  • Section 5: Financing and Business Models

    We're examining the economic pressures and opportunities across different types of content creation. Please answer based on your own experience.
  • How sustainable is your current financing or business model?*
  • What are the biggest financial barriers you face? Select up to five that impact you the most.*
  • The gap between what YouTube and similar platforms pay creators versus what it costs to produce a high-budget series is significant. In your view, can this gap be closed?*
  • Where do you currently generate revenue (or receive funding)? Select all that apply.*
  • How well do current Canadian funding structures (Canadian Media Fund, Telefilm, tax credits, etc.) support the kind of content you create?*
  • The Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) has called for special regulatory protections for children's content as "at-risk" programming, content it considers essential to Canada's cultural heritage. In 2024, the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) similarly described the financial challenges in children's media as not merely a funding issue but more of a cultural emergency. How would you characterize the urgency of the situation?*

  • Section 6: Canadian Identity, Cultural Representation and Community Access

    Canada's strength in children's media has always been tied to authentic storytelling. These questions explore what that means today as well as asking all respondents to reflect on how well the industry serves equity-deserving communities, and invite those working directly within specific communities to share their experience.
  • Is Canadian programming with Canadian values important to you personally? (optional)
  • In your experience, how well does Canadian children's content reflect the diversity of Canadian children today?*
  • Which communities or identities do you feel are most underrepresented in Canadian children's content? Select all that apply.*
  • Do you think the Canadian children's media system currently does enough to protect and sustain French-language content? (optional)
  • Rows
  • Does your work primarily serve any of the following communities? (Select all that apply)*
  • Do you think your community has distinct challenges?*
  • How well do existing funding mechanisms (CMF, CRTC, provincial bodies) serve the specific needs of your community's content?*
  • Canada's growing diversity means many children here have direct cultural connections to communities around the world. Do you see this as an opportunity for your Canadian content to reach international audiences?*

  • Section 7: Green Production

    This section asks about environmental sustainability practices in your productions. We recognize that green production looks very different depending on budget, format, and capacity. We are looking for areas where you can be supported.
  • How familiar are you with green production frameworks or certifications? (e.g., Green Spark Group, Reel Green, Green Frame, albert)*
  • Which of the following green production practices does your organization currently use. (Select all that apply)*
  • How has the current state of the industry affected your ability to prioritize green production? (Select one)*
  • What are the biggest barriers to adopting or expanding green production practices in children's media (Select all that apply)*
  • What would help you adopt or expand green production practices? (Select all that apply)*

  • Section 8: Children's Wellbeing and Content Quality

    These questions examine how children's media affects child development, mental health, and learning.
  • How much does child development or children's wellbeing inform your content decisions?*
  • In your view, what is the most important role children's media plays in a child's life Select up to 5 that you think are the most important*
  • Do you think the industry is doing enough to prioritize children's mental health and wellbeing in content decisions?*
  • Rows
  • Where do you primarily get your insights about children’s development needs and media behaviours? (Select all that apply)*
  • In terms of content quality, what are some of the key areas that Canadian broadcasters provide that you want to make sure are supported in a new digital and platform native content world? (Select up to 5)*
  • Conversely, what do the new platforms offer that the broadcast model does not?*
  • In your view, does the Canadian children's media industry take sufficient responsibility for the emotional relationships children form with characters, creators, and digital personalities?*
  • How aware are you of the role that parasocial relationships — children's one-sided emotional bonds with on-screen characters and creators — play in how children engage with content?*

  • Section 9: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technology

    Artificial intelligence is changing how content is created, distributed, and consumed. These questions explore your experience and perspective.
  • How is your organization currently using AI tools? Select all that apply.*
  • Are you using other technology besides or along with AI when creating kids content?*
  • What is your overall view of AI's impact on children's content creation?*
  • What concerns you most about AI in children's media? Select up to three.*
  • Should AI tools be regulated differently when used in the creation of content for children compared to adult content?*
  • Understanding that regulating children's content is challenging, do you believe Canada should create industry-wide  guidelines to address the use of AI in children’s content? Consider areas like data practices, algorithmic systems, AI-generated content, or transparency requirements.*
  • Do you believe publicly funded AI tools or shared infrastructure should be made available specifically to Canadian children's media producers?*

  • Section 10: Online Safety and Platform Regulation

    Canada's online safety legislation is actively evolving. This section asks for your perspective on platform regulation as it relates to children's media: both as a child protection issue and as an industry concern.
  • How familiar are you with Canada's current online safety legislative landscape as it relates to children?*
  • In your view, how urgent is the need for federal online safety regulation specifically protecting children in Canada?*
  • The current lack of regulation means platforms operate outside the Canadian content and child safety standards that broadcasters must meet. How does this affect your work? Select all that apply.*
  • How would a social media ban for children under 14 affect your work or organization? (Select one)*
  • Which of the following online safety measures do you think should apply to platforms serving children in Canada? (Select all that apply)*

  • Section 11: Policy and the Path Forward

    This section goes to the heart of where your input will shape our policy recommendations— identifying what needs to change.
  • Rows
  • Which of the following policy changes would have the greatest positive impact on Canadian children's media? Select up to five that you think are most important*

  • Section 12: Looking Ahead

    These final questions look toward the future — particularly for Generation Beta, the first generation born into an AI-native world.
  • How prepared do you think the Canadian children's media industry is for Generation Beta (born starting in 2025)  who will only know a world where AI, immersive media, and interactive platforms are the default?*
  • Should be Empty: