Underfunding threatens Canada's new media industry.
John Doyle notes that the number of reports on the state of Canadian television in 2003 exceeded the number of significant new Canadian productions.
Canadians should be outraged that despite years of subsidies and regulatory protection, the means of producing Canadian television drama have all but collapsed.
Winnipeg Free Press Editor argues regulatory problems are at the root of Canada's drama production woes, and suggests the federal government should encourage the private sector to invest through additional tax relief.
Writers Guild says the closing of Salter Street Films is another example of the need for federal regulators to protect Canadian television drama,
Despite making high quality film and television, Salter Street failed to generate sufficient profit to satisfy Alliance investors.
Alliance Atlantis is closing its Salter Street Films division, known for producing CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Stephen Waddell, executive director of ACTRA, says federal support for domestic film and TV production must be reformed to prevent the funding system from collapse.
American and other foreign films dominated Canadian TV and theatres, capturing 91 per cent of domestic sales in 2001-2002, while the number of homegrown film and video exports to foreign countries fell, the first decline since 1991.
Alliance Atlantis blames "permanent downturn" in global demand for downsizing of its Canadian film and television business.
Alliance Atlantis plans to downsize its film and TV production business.
Alliance Atlantis is further downsizing the television and film production side of the company.
Due to his actions while Finance Minister, the domestic film and television industry believes Paul Martin can reverse the damage caused by the previous government's withdrawal of support and the rising Canadian dollar.
CBC president Robert Rabinovitch says Canada's public broadcaster is in worse financial shape now than during the Liberal funding cuts of the 1990s.
India and Canada have signed a letter of intent to create a co-production arrangement for film and television.
Nielsen Media Research has begun tracking product placements during prime-time shows on the major broadcast networks.
The inaugural concert and induction ceremony for the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame is a tribute to the songs themselves, the songwriters as artists and the impact they have had on Canadian and international audiences.
Director of the Canada Council for the Arts reflects on its past successes and changes that still need to be made.
Transcript of an interview conducted by The Hill Times with former Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps.
Member of Parliament Wendy Lill says the government's response to the Heritage Committee's report on the Canadian broadcasting system, Our Cultural Sovereignty, has been "underwhelming" and "patronizing" to Committee members and Canadians.
FRIENDS' response to CRTC call for comments calls for a review of the business model for Canadian drama, measures to address the comparative disadvantage of Canadian series in the marketplace, and a focus on quality.
Fil Fraser worries that Canada is becoming more like the United States, where corporations rather than government support the arts.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters annual conference was a hotbed for discussions pertaining to many issues now facing Canadian media.
The government's lukewarm official response to the Lincoln report has left many in the industry fearful the two-year, 872-page study will end up a victim of bad political timing.
Digital video recorder technology could result in lower revenues for broadcasters, and consequently, less money to invest in Canadian programming.
David Asper says Global's hiring of Mike Bullard is an attempt to develop and build stars and content as opposed to "renting" it.
Statscan reports that Canadian content on pay and specialty channels has increased in all genres except Canadian music and dance.
Canadian producers find US broadcasters are warming to US programming produced in Canada.
Changes to CTF are something FRIENDS has been recommending for years.
FRIENDS applauds the creation of incentives for broadcasters to build audience as a condition of continued CTF funding.
FRIENDS praises CTF changes that focus on the ultimate ratings success of funded productions.
CTF overhaul will begin in the 2004-2005 fiscal year and focus on drama programming.
The Canadian Television Fund has decided to make popularity its priority in funding decisions, forcing broadcasters to focus on audience-building.
Canadian independent producers say they welcome the changes to Canadian Television Fund guidelines as a tonic for the TV production sector.
An administrative overhaul of the Canadian Television Fund should make it easier for independent producers to access funds, but the larger issue of the need for increased funding remains.
The CTF has been re-oriented to simplify its administrative processes and to make audience success a determining factor in its funding decisions.
Technical document outlining the Canadian Television Fund's goal to improve the efficiency of Canada’s primary television funding mechanism.
FRIENDS says Canadian Television Fund changes provide an incentive for broadcasters to build audiences.
Proposed tax breaks and tax credits for domestic producers are expected to help offset the $25 million cut to the Canadian Television Fund in the last federal budget.
Columnist believes plan to replace the U.S. ads with Canadian ads on direct-feed U.S. cable channels deserves another hearing at the CRTC.
CRTC rejects application to replace U.S. commercials with Canadian ones on five U.S. specialty channels carried by Canadian cable distributors.
CBC says government response to Heritage Committee report reaffirms CBC's place in the Canadian broadcasting and cultural landscape.
Zerbisias praises plan that would replace U.S. commercials with Canadian ads on top American specialty channels.
Eric Reguly says broadcaster opposition means the odds are against 49th Media's plan to substitute American ads with Canadian ads on five U.S. specialty channels.
John Doyle finds that a Canadian star links industry discussions, questions in Parliament about state of Canadian drama.
Bell Globemedia executive says programmable video-recording devices less of a threat to TV advertising than first predicted.
The CBC must cut programming and other costs by a further $43-million next year to meet employee pension plan payment obligations.
Personal video recorders are expected to fuel a showdown between advertisers and broadcasters over increasing ad rates for shrinking audiences.
Rabinovitch says CBC will consider expanding its international services and partnering with public broadcasters in other countries.
CBC representatives tell Senate committee that ratings cannot be the only measure of a public broadcaster expected to offer distinctive programming.
Senators tell CBC Chair Carole Taylor that Canadians think CBC is biased and not relevant to their lives.
The CRTC has granted a request by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters to extend the deadline for submitting comments in its proceeding on Canadian drama until November 28.
CBC chair Carole Taylor says funding cuts cannot continue if CBC is to be effective as Canada's public broadcaster.
2002-2003 Annual Report for Telefilm Canada.
Government introduces bill containing tough new measures to stem satellite signal piracy in Canada.
Izzy Asper was wrong about the CBC, and should have had to give more support to Canadian content in exchange for the right to use public airwaves.
Feschuk gives CTV and Global "Best American Network in Canada" award.
The 2003 Gemini Awards faced stiff competition from US programming for viewers in its timeslot.
The Department of Canadian Heritage held a meeting with stakeholders from the television industry to discuss the future of the Canadian Television Fund and English-language drama.
Group of Canadian actors forms co-op in hopes of addressing problems with funding of Canadian film production.
Canadian film production industry fears new California governor will be a formidable opponent of runaway film production in Canada.
Industry watchers say that Schwarzenegger has too many troubles at home to be much of a threat to B.C.'s film industry.
Schwarzenegger's election and Canada's rising dollar are causes of concern for the Canadian film industry.
Canadian film industry concerned that Schwarzenegger's election may result in more production staying in the US.
Sheila Copps' refusal to drop out of the Liberal leadership race is giving Prime Minister Chrétien a reason to stay in office.
Fact that CBC kept mum on $10m funding cut suggests management is focused on the bigger picture of how the public broadcaster will be treated under a Paul Martin government.
Federal government announces $5.5 billion in new spending on Chrétien legacy issues, while CBC receives $10 million less than promised.
Chair of Commons Canadian Heritage Committee "surprised, even astounded" by CBC funding cut.
CRTC decision to cut funding for new media producers likely to result in a number of producers disappearing in the next six to twelve months.
Canadian Media Guild doubts CBC can absorb $10 million cut to operating budget revealed in government estimates.
Estimates show Ottawa will cut $10 million in funding promised to CBC in last federal budget.
Estimates show Ottawa will cut $10 million in funding promised to CBC in last federal budget.
Personal video recorders, which allow viewers to skip commercials, could result in higher subscriber fees to offset the diminishing impact of advertising.
TV Niagara CEO Wendell Wilks proposes a merger of Canadian broadcasting organziations into a single entity charged with producing and broadcasting compelling, watchable and successful Canadian drama.
In November, CanWest Global Communications Corp. will begin charging for online access to the Ottawa Citizen. The rest of the chain is expected to follow by next year.
CanWest puts a record $190,000 price tag on 30-second spots for (US sitcom) Friends' finale.
With 2.7 million viewers, Canadian Idol becomes biggest homegrown TV hit in more than 30 years, but it may not make money for CTV.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting launches "Let's Tell Our Own Stories" campaign.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting launches advertising campaign to underscore the need to tell Canadian stories on television.
Stable funding and improved relations with the federal government has resulted in improved audience ratings for the CBC.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell plans measures to ensure television stations serve local viewers.
Craig station Toronto One unveils two production funds totaling almost $15 million.
The Canadian Television Fund announced more programs have been saved by a funding advance made in the wake of the government's earlier significant cuts.
According to Statistics Canada, Canadian government spending on all forms of culture has continued to rise this year.
Canadian actor Paul Gross says urgent steps are needed to promote Canadian drama.
The Score and Sportsnet may have to wait until next year to find out if they can implement proposed rate hikes expected to be passed on to cable subscribers.
Research analyst Barry Kiefl argues that Canada will lag behind other nations if it fails to nurture and develop a strong domestic TV industry.
Despite experiencing a profit jump in the second quarter, Rogers Communications' earnings still came in below analysts' forecasts.
CanWest Global's fiscal third-quarter profit fell more than 50 per cent due to the cost of job cuts.
The CRTC has ruled that satellite distributors will be permitted to carry feeds from up to 20 small market television outlets, but must invest a portion of their revenues in a new production fund for small-market local TV.
Following pressure from large US animation studios, Telefilm Canada has reversed its decision not to fund the 2004 Ottawa International Animation Festival.
Coverage of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's recommendations on Canadian broadcasting has been sparse.
Heritage Minister Sheila Copps intends to fund more Canadian periodicals with less money.
The federal government is cutting millions in subsidies paid to large magazine publishers.
Low production values of new Canadian shows likely to turn away viewers.
Hollywood's leading studios may have to revise deals with European pay television companies to address concerns film prices are being kept artificially high.
SARS and funding cuts have helped lead to a significant decline in television production in Toronto.
The rising dollar is making Canada less attractive for American runaway film production.
The National Post wants to renegotiate its commercial contracts with several news agencies in order to reduce its spending.
The National Post wants to renegotiate its commercial contracts with several news agencies in order to reduce its spending.
Clifford Lincoln, author of the 872-page committee report entitled Our Cultural Sovereignty, is confident his report will stand the test of time and hopes it serves as an incentive for the government to act.
Finance Minister John Manley has promised to restore half of the $25 million cut from the Canadian Television Fund in the February 2003 federal budget.
A report on rising advertising rates in Canadian television.
Heritage Minister Sheila Copps states that she would not increase base funding to the CBC if elected Prime Minister.
Twenty-six Canadian television shows and movies have been saved due to a partial restoration of funding cut from the Canadian Television Fund.
Quebec cinema is booming, yet the provincial government is cutting funding for film and TV production.
Fazil Mihlar argues that rather than supporting Canadian media with taxpayers' money, the federal government should force the country's media to become more responsive to the needs of their customers.
Media moguls are disappointed with Heritage Committee's recommendations for Canadian Broadcasting
Morley Walker writes that the Canadian broadcasting industry needs more money to produce Canadian drama, more subsidies for the CBC, and more regulation to discourage media convergence.
Who gets what from the $12.5-million that Finance Minister John Manley agreed to "restore" to the Canadian Television Fund has yet to be decided.
Scott Feschuk argues that the federal government should give the Canadian television industry enough money to function respectably or decline to give it any money at all.
The federal government announced it is boosting its contribution to the Canadian Television Fund by $12.5-million this year.
Despite cuts to production funding, CBC plans a strong line-up of all-Canadian programming this year and says the worry is next year.
McQueen report recommends a new $30 million public fund for the production of English-language Canadian drama.
A report on the state of francophone TV in Canada finds that the Canadian Television Fund is vital for the preservation of French language drama production.
A report by former CBC and CTV executive Trina McQueen recommends the federal government spend $30 million a year for five years to build audiences for Canadian drama.
Incentives recommended by a new report on Canadian drama would reward the efforts of writers and writer-producers to build audiences for their programs.
Friends asks John Manley to advocate steps to redress imbalance between private broadcasters' input of public funds, commitment to Canadian content
Friends asks Sheila Copps to advocate steps to redress imbalance between private broadcasters’ input of public funds, commitment to Canadian content
Friends asks Paul Martin to advocate steps to redress imbalance between private broadcasters’ input of public funds, commitment to Canadian content
Despite a new report recommending the investment of millions in Canadian Drama, Finance Minister John Manley is holding firm on the decision to cut $25 million from the Canadian Television Fund.
A new report calls on the prime minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage to publicly endorse the importance of Canadian drama.
Trina McQueen's report calls for more investment in Canadian drama, but critics note it doesn't call for new demands on broadcasters.
A much-anticipated report says the federal government should significantly increase its investment in Canadian drama.
Vertically-integrated Alliance Atlantis is progressively winding down Canadian production business it has received substantial public funds to build.
An edited interview with Heritage Minister and Liberal leadership candidate Sheila Copps about federal budget priorities. No mention is made of CBC.
Some believe the government was unaware of the consequences of cutting $25 million in Canadian production funding from the Canadian Television Fund.
The two largest actors unions in the US plan plan to redouble their opposition to the filming of US productions in Canada.
Heritage Minister Sheila Copps accused New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord of stealing credit for federal cultural spending in his province.
An industry panel has demanded the federal government reverse its $25 million cut to the Canadian Television Fund.
Executives from CBC, CTV and Global have decried the funding shortfall at the Canadian Television Fund.
The Canadian Television Fund granted 25 percent of CBC's funding applications in 2003, down from 91 percent a year ago.
Numerous hallmark Canadian television shows have been denied production funding from the Canadian Television Fund due to cuts announced in February's federal budget.
The Canadian Television Fund has chosen a day the House of Commons isn't sitting to announce the impact of $25 million in cuts on Canadian television production funding. CBC will be hit particularly badly.
The Canadian Television Fund is expected to reject a majority of applicants for Canadian production funding this year.
Radio broadcasters are likely to argue for lower foreign investment restrictions if Canadian content quotas are increased.
Changes to Quebec provincial tax credits mean some of the most popular television series won't be funded.
Tony Burman, editor-in-chief of news and current affairs at CBC, denies reports the Iraq war is putting a strain on CBC budgets.
Craig Broadcasting has secured a $100-million investment from a US investor to launch its new local Toronto station.
Friends fears uncertain federal budget will force $30 million in budget cuts at CBC, leading to layoffs and a decrease in regional programming.
Friends worries federal budget uncertainty will force cost-cutting at CBC. CBC claims extra federal funding has been confirmed.
CBC will get an extra $60 million again for the 2003-2004 year, in addition to the nearly $1 billion announced for its operating budget, Heritage Minister Sheila Copps confirmed Friday
Despite uncertainty over federal budget, CBC plans several major productions, while Canadian TV, film producers lament CTF funding cuts. Friends urges CBC to reinvest in regional programming.
Friends speculates leadership politics are involved in 25% cut to the CTF that worries Canadian actors and producers.
Friends speculates leadership politics are involved in 25% cut to the CTF that worries Canadian actors and producers.
