From XQC to Pokimane, Canada seems to be a promised land for streamers of all sizes. Even in political space, you have the likes of Lauren Southern, and even Jordan Peterson (regardless of where you stand on his beliefs) is a Canadian.
It seems like Canadian streamers have a disproportionally large share of the market, which many people may find surprising until they start researching the reasons why this is the case.
On top of that, Canadians seem to consume a lot more content than their counterparts from other regions of the world. People who consume a lot of content dream of becoming content creators themselves, which is why there’s a healthy market for aspiring streamers among young Canadians. Still, this is just a tip of an iceberg.
With that in mind and without further ado, here are a few good explanations for why Canada is so big in the streaming world.
1. Strong VPN presence
There are many reliable VPNs available in Canada that allow Canadian streamers to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from all over the world. Despite that, most prefer to consume local content. It’s only when they get a taste of global content that they’ll develop a taste for local content, as well.
According to tech journalist Nikshep Myle, Canadians are pretty tech-savvy, which is why the selection of VPNs for CA has to be held to a much higher standard.
Canadians have access to global streaming libraries, which is why they can easily access content that wouldn’t be available locally by default. The ability to stream internationally is another major draw for Canadians.
Privacy concerns are pretty high in Canada, and VPNs help address these issues for many users. The ability to stream content securely and privately is appealing to Canadians, who value their online privacy. VPNs have become a popular tool, not only for accessing content but also for keeping personal information secure.
2. There’s not much censorship
The biggest problem for entertainment of any kind is always the censorship. You see, if your creators have a limited number of platforms they can stream on and a limited number of topics they’re allowed to cover, this is not a very fertile ground for creativity.
Then, there are age restrictions and ratings, which are especially high when it comes to streaming. After all, most of your audience is minors, and this is something that the advertisers will take into consideration, as well.
There are so many platforms available in Canada. We’re not just talking about platforms like Amazon, Disney+, and Netflix but also streaming platforms like Twitch (which is no longer available in South Korea) and Kick (which was under a lot of scrutiny). Canadians have all of these options available.
Unlike in places with heavy restrictions, Canada doesn’t limit the type of content that can be streamed. This means Canadian users can easily access content and live broadcasts that are blocked in other regions. It’s one of the reasons why streaming is so popular in the country.
Canada is also known for its high level of media freedom, which extends to digital content. THis media-friendly environment will ensure citizens have open access to information and entertainment.
3. High-speed internet infrastructure
Canada is a first-world country and one of the most developed places in the world. This means that there’s nationwide access to broadband. Canada’s broadband internet access is available in almost every part of the country, from urban centers to remote areas.
A reliable connection makes high-quality streaming possible for a large portion of the population. This is why streaming services have become such a significant part of Canadian entertainment.
Moreover, Canada’s competitive internet providers market means that providers are constantly improving their services. With faster speeds and more affordable plans being introduced, it’s easier than ever for Canadians to stream without interruptions. This healthy competition among providers keeps the streaming experience enjoyable for most users.
With 5G networks rolling out across Canada, streaming is becoming even faster and more accessible. The increase in mobile data speed means more Canadians can stream on the go, whether they’re commuting or traveling.
Moreover, the spread of fiber internet in Canada is pretty impressive. High internet speeds are incredibly important for the development of this field.
4. Large bilingual audience
One thing that people often overlook is the fact that Canada has a large bilingual audience. In other words, their viewers often have the ability to consume content in two different languages. They also have an opportunity to create content for Francophone audience.
Sure, this audience is never as big as an English-speaking one, but it’s much larger than just your local audience. French is an official language in so many countries across the globe (mostly foreign colonies), which means that you actually have millions more potential viewers than you originally counted on.
You can also make the same content available in both English and French. This way, you can A/B test engagement and see what works best.
More importantly, you get to attract international viewers. This makes the platform take you more seriously and unlocks you to a whole range of international advertisers.
On top of it all, you get a chance to offer a more diverse cultural representation.
5. Popularity of homegrown content
There’s an incredibly strong support for local creators that you have to take into account. As we’ve already mentioned, XQC and Pokimane are some of the biggest creators on the platform, so many kids look up to them and dream of becoming streamers.
Still, there are other factors that contribute to this motivation, not just location. For instance, it’s important to keep in mind that this field is incredibly Gen-Z friendly. Streamers born in 1999, like Myth, are already not in the youngest bracket among creators. This means that it’s one field where young people can see that they don’t have to wait decades to reach the end game.
Even after you finish law school, you’re still not a top earner or as respected among your peers as you will be after decades in the industry. Only in streaming can you be 20 years old and a top creator. This doesn’t just shower you with popularity or riches; it also opens the door to mainstream fame.
Regardless of what it is, the idea of becoming a streamer seems more appealing than ever. This is why more and more young Canadians choose to do it. Still, in order to grow, they must first observe others.
Canadian content creators already have a strong start
While content creation is an individual activity and individual talents make all the difference, the reality is that Canadian creators have a few advantages worth considering. First, they live in an environment with little to no censorship and have all the platforms available. Does this mean they’ll always have better chances of success than those from less privileged regions? No, but they have an advantage, and pretending it isn’t so is disingenuous.
