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“This information will help the commission better understand the size and scope of the online audio and video market in Canada and its contribution to Canada and Canadians,” the CRTC wrote the companies on Friday.

These numbers are closely guarded, making it difficult to account for new players in a system that relies less on traditional radio and television broadcasts. But researchers estimate the number of Netflix subscribers alone has grown to about 6 million. For comparison, about 11 million Canadians have TV subscriptions.

The CRTC promised to keep all data confidential, calling its decision to do so “final and conclusive.”

“The commission understands the commercially sensitive nature of the information requested, therefore as indicated, will maintain confidentiality of the record received,” spokeswoman Patricia Valladao said in an email.

The CRTC asked for the same information from Rogers, Bell, Shaw, Corus, Quebecor, Stingray Digital Group, Sirius XM, DHX Television, CBC, Pelmorex and APTN. It’s a common procedural request for the Canadian companies, which routinely provide competitive information given they unquestionably answer to the regulator.

But it’s unclear whether the American internet giants will comply.

Netflix, which got into a high-profile fight with the CRTC over disclosure a few years ago, isn’t commenting on the latest request for information. In 2014, Netflix refused to comply with CRTC orders for subscriber information during a hearing on the future of television. Netflix said the order did not apply to it under Canadian broadcasting law. The CRTC disagreed.