Press release from Shaftsbury
TORONTO, JANUARY 29, 2026 — A new report released today by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and Shaftesbury underscores the scale of Murdoch Mysteries’ economic impact: more than $1 billion in total economic output in Ontario, $766 million to the national GDP, and 9,590 full-time Canadian jobs across 18 seasons of production.
The report, developed by MNP for the CMPA and Shaftesbury, analyzes the cumulative economic impact of the CBC hit series over 18 seasons. A summary of the report’s main findings can be viewed here.
“The success of Murdoch Mysteries shows that investing in Canadian culture and Canadian-owned IP helps build strong Canadian production companies, like Shaftesbury, which in turn deliver meaningful economic benefits for the country, create skilled jobs for Canadians, and help bring our stories and values to screens at home and around the world,” says Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO, CMPA.
With 333 episodes to date, the first eighteen seasons generated more than $202 million in tax revenue for federal, provincial and local governments, equivalent to the government revenue generated through 2.2 million visitors to Ontario.
In addition to its domestic success, Murdoch Mysteries has become a global phenomenon, reaching audiences in more than 120 countries and territories. Showcasing homegrown talent and storytelling, the series has made a meaningful contribution to the strong international reputation of Canadian content.
“The most remarkable aspect of this report is that the economic impact outlined is attributed to just one single show,” says Christina Jennings, Chairman & President of Shaftesbury. “Many Canadians don’t understand the value Canadian content delivers beyond entertainment. This report is a reminder of the financial returns that can be generated by investing in Canadian IP. Bottom line, it’s a booming sector, just like oil and gas.”
The report highlights significant return on public investment through federal and provincial production incentives. For every dollar of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), production generated $15.97 in economic output, $11.81 in GDP, and $9.02 in labour income. With every $100,000 of the CPTC, 13 full-time jobs were created.
In Ontario, where the series is produced, for every dollar of the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit (OFTTC), production generated $5.58 in economic output, $4.13 in GDP, and $3.15 in labour income. With every $100,000 of the OFTTC, 4.6 full-time jobs were created.
Shaftesbury’s ownership of the Murdoch Mysteries intellectual property has enabled the company to build an ecosystem of immersive branded experiences, known as the “Murdoch-verse”. The Murdoch-verse includes a symphony orchestra concert series that has travelled across Canada and sold over 25,000 tickets, escape rooms, luxury behind-the-scenes tour packages, branded merchandise, tween spin-off series Macy Murdoch with CBC and more. The economic impact of these IP extentions extends beyond the scope captured in the report.
Film and television production is a key part of Canada's arts and culture sector, which as a whole contributed $65 billion in direct GDP to the Canadian economy in 2024 and is growing faster and supporting more jobs per dollar than other major sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing and agriculture (Source: Canadian Chamber of Commerce).
Currently airing its nineteenth season, Murdoch Mysteries is produced by the award-winning independent production company Shaftesbury.
Economic analysis for the case study was conducted by MNP LLP.
A summary of the report is available here. The full report is available here.
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