ACTRA Calls On Canadian Nets to Up Local Fare

TORONTO: The Canadian performers union is calling on the CRTC to encourage local private broadcasters to ramp up their domestic content output in the wake of a report revealing a 7-percent rise in expenditures on imported fare.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released data on Canada’s private conventional television stations for the broadcast year ending on August 31, 2008. In the period, revenues were down 1.5 percent to C$2.14 billion, with reduced profits before interest and taxes of C$8 million. Expenses were up by 4 percent to C$2.06 billion, of which C$1.47 billion was spent on programming and production, reflecting a 71.5-percent share of total expenditure. Investments in Canadian programming remained essentially unchanged at C$619.6 million, of which C$146 million was paid to independent producers. Spending on imported programming, meanwhile, rose by 7.4 percent to C$775.2 million.

Responding to the CRTC report, Stephen Waddell, the national executive director of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), noted: "With governments worldwide recognizing the economic importance of supporting domestic industries, the CRTC should not contemplate letting the big TV broadcasters reduce their Canadian content obligations simply because of their own debt-inducing, expansionist strategy. In view of upcoming TV licence renewals, now, more than ever, the CRTC should not let broadcasters off the hook for investing in Canadian programs—especially in these economic times."

According to ACTRA, Canada’s film and TV industry contributes C$5 billion to the local economy, creating more than 126,000 full-time jobs. "Buying shows like Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight does not help Canada’s economy," said Richard Hardacre, ACTRA’s national president. "Private broadcasters are already spending almost 10 times more on foreign programs than on Canadian dramas. The CRTC can’t let the big broadcasters ignore Canada’s $5 billion film and TV industry."