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Independent producers urge broadcasters to step up support for Canadian television production in line with CRTC’s new TV policy

May 17, 2007 – The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) is disappointed that the CRTC chose not to take immediate steps to address the significant imbalance in Canadian vs. foreign programming expenditures by English-language over-the-air (OTA) broadcasters in its new regulatory framework for Canadian OTA television released today.

CRTC data indicates that between 1999 and 2006, Canadian programming expenditures by English-language OTA broadcasters decreased from 50% to 40% of total programming expenditures. Annual expenditures on Canadian drama by these broadcasters also decreased from approximately $62 million, or 4% of revenues, in 2001 to approximately $40 million, or 2.3% of revenues, in 2006.

“We believe the Commission has missed a perfect opportunity to begin reversing these disturbing trends, which are clearly inconsistent with the objectives of the Broadcasting Act,” said Guy Mayson, President and CEO, CFTPA. “However, the Commission has sent a clear signal to Canadian broadcasters that the continuing reduction in the proportion of total programming expenditures allocated to Canadian programming is not acceptable. We are optimistic that the CRTC plans to discuss programming expenditures with OTA broadcasters at the time of their upcoming licence renewals to ensure that they allocate an appropriate proportion of their revenues to the production and acquisition of Canadian programming. We just hope it isn’t too late for Canadian programming at that point.”

The CFTPA remains convinced that imposing Canadian programming expenditure and exhibition requirements on OTA broadcasters is the only effective way to ensure they make a greater contribution to Canadian programming. It urges broadcasters to increase support for Canadian production in line with expectations expressed in the CRTC’s policy statement. “Canadian broadcasters can and should make a greater contribution to independent production through higher licence fees, required minimum expenditures on Canadian priority programming, and making more ‘shelf space’ available to exhibit that programming in the heart of prime time,” said Mayson.

The CFTPA is pleased, however, that the Commission has encouraged the development of terms of trade agreements between independent producers and broadcasters as a way of establishing a fairer partnership between the parties.

“The CFTPA has been urging the Commission to require the establishment of terms of trade agreements for some time,” said Ira Levy, Chair, CFTPA Board of Directors. “We are very pleased that the CRTC agrees that terms of trade agreements would provide stability and clarity for both producers and broadcasters and that it is requiring broadcasters to file draft or signed agreements as part of their licence renewal applications. We look forward to working with our broadcast partners to establish a framework for a fair and equitable partnership between the production and broadcasting sectors.”

The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media products in all regions of Canada, including Quebec. More specifically, we promote the general interests of our members provincially, federally, and internationally; we negotiate and manage labour agreements with guilds and unions; we administer copyright collectives; we train new industry entrants through 7 national internship programs; and we undertake a number of other specific initiatives that help increase awareness and enhance communication within the Canadian and international production communities.

For a copy of the submission by the CFTPA please click here.

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For more information on this, please contact:

Jeff Brinton
Director of Communications and Media
Canadian Film and Television Production Association