Canada Media Fund Publishes Annual Television Report

TORONTO: During 2009-10, the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) disbursed a record amount of C$327 million to bolster the production of 4,400 hours of programming, according to an annual report from the Canada Media Fund.

Of the 4,400 hours of programming produced, 932 hours were new broadcast programs. The CTF supported a total of 931 projects in its last financial year, with a breakdown of 476 production and 352 development projects. Development funding reached a record high of C$9.8 million. Total production budgets for 2009-10 were in excess of $1 billion, which is 20-percent higher than the average of the previous four years.

The Digital Media Pilot Program budget grew from C$2 million to C$10 million. The number of projects funded nearly doubled, from 30 to 77.

“If there were a theme to this year, that theme would be dialogue,” said Louis Roquet, the chair of the board of directors. “The dialogue between the various stakeholders of the corporation was strengthened through an extensive year-long consultation.”