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TV producers fear Canuck shows in trouble

Rejection results released today by the Canadian Television Fund have alarmed Canadian television producers. They believe the production industry, which has more than doubled its production volume in the past eight years, is in the process of dismantling Canadian-made TV. Of the $340-million dollars requested for broadcaster-supported home-grown TV programs, the CTF will only be able to meet 51% of that demand: the fund is dealing with less money this spring -- $172-million over last year’s $201-million.

“There’s no question that Canadians are going to see fewer Canadians on TV,” said Elizabeth McDonald, Canadian Film and Television Production Association president and CEO. “We knew February’s $25-million cut to the CTF was going to affect production, but the reality will be devastating for CanCon producers.” The CTF was established in 1996 to specifically support distinctly Canadian television programs; it has been financed by an annual allotment from the federal government and by revenue from Canadian cable and direct-to-home satellite companies. The 2003 federal budget reduced the government’s annual contribution by $25-million.

Producers will soon find out whether their projects have been accepted or rejected, nevertheless the fund’s over subscription rate means uncertainty not only for production companies, but also for broadcasters. Canadian broadcasters require Canadian-made shows as a condition of their licences as laid out by the CRTC, the industry’s regulatory body.

“More than half of the dramas producers have proposed will never be seen by Canadians. This is a real shame given the CRTC’s comment last year that the number of Canadian dramas were at an all time low. And the same is true for children’s programming,” said Julia Keatley, CFTPA chair and executive producer of Cold Squad. The industry is currently anticipating the release of three important studies: Trina McQueen’s study which focuses on Canadian drama for the CRTC; François Macerola’s Canadian Heritage review of Canadian content in film and television; and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage’s report on the Canadian broadcasting system. All are expected within the next two months.

“We need a strategy to ensure Canadian TV programs get made, the whole industry – actors, writers, directors, broadcasters, and producers -- must work with the government and the CRTC to find a solution,” said McDonald. The CFTPA is currently consulting with the government to determine how to improve the domestic certified tax credit. February’s federal budget enhanced the foreign service production tax credit and promised to look at the domestic credit. “An improved domestic tax credit could make a huge difference right now, but what the system needs is consistent funding, not less,” maintained Keatley.

The CFTPA is a non-profit, trade association representing almost 400 companies involved in the Canadian production industry. The association promotes the general interests of Canadian producers by lobbying government on policy matters, negotiating labour agreements, and offering mentorship programs and copyright initiatives.

For more information on this, please contact:

Jane L. Thompson
Director of Communications
Canadian Film and Television Production Association

Tel: 613 233 1444 ext 227