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CFTPA asks CRTC to reconsider decision that will cut Bell fund by 40%

Ottawa , December 1 2003 - On Friday the Canadian Film and Television Production Association gave the CRTC its solutions to improve the quality of drama in this country. The association's 15 key recommendations outline a strategy to make Canadian drama more attractive for audiences by increasing production values and improving the partnership between broadcasters and producers.

"There's no question that Canadian drama is in trouble, the question is how to fix it. It's not just about money and higher production values, it's also about a commitment from producers to attract audiences and broadcasters to air shows when people want to watch them," said Guy Mayson , acting CFTPA president and CEO.

The CRTC has been examining the plight of drama in Canada and called for submissions from the production industry to look at how to improve Canadian drama, a genre which has been disappearing from television screens since 1999 when the CRTC revised its television policy creating the concept of priority programming.

Among the association's 15 key recommendations: As a condition of licence conventional TV broadcasters should commit seven to eight per cent of revenues to Canadian drama as part of the required eight hours of priority programming. And broadcasters that are unwilling to commit expenditures should meet a higher level of priority programming, for example a minimum of 12 hours per week of priority programming, eventually increasing to 15 hours per week. The CRTC should also discontinue the practice of permitting broadcasters to count CTF licence fee top ups as part of their Canadian program expenditures.

Drama should be traditionally redefined to cover drama series, sitcoms, mini-series, made-for-TV movies and theatrical features, prime-time animation and programs featuring comedy sketches; essentially ruling out stand-up comedy and improv as qualifying as drama programs. Shift prime time hours from 7 to 11 p.m. to 8 to 11 p.m. (with the exception of Sunday), essentially putting Canadian drama in the heart of prime time.

Ten-point Canadian drama, live action children's drama and drama outside of peak viewing hours should receive a 150% time credit applied against overall Cancon. Conventional and pay and specialty broadcasters should report their Canadian drama expenditures for the past three years in accordance with a revised definition of drama.

To read the appendix and the 15 key recommendations go to:
http://www.cftpa.ca/government/pdfs/drama-APPENDIXfinal.pdf

To read the submission in full go to: http://www.cftpa.ca/government/pdfs/drama28nov2003-final.pdf

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

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