TORONTO – The Canadian Television Fund (CTF) has bumped up its program commitments for 2009-2010 by almost 14% over last year.
The increases will be directed to the following CTF programs:
– the broadcaster performance envelope has been allocated $285 million, a 7.2% year over year increase ($194 million to English and $91 million to French);
– French-language projects outside of Quebec will increase to $10.2 million from $9.3 million;
– funding to Aboriginal-language projects will increase from just over $3 million to $4 million;
– the allocation for the digital media program will grow to $10 million;
– funds for the production incentive program will double to $10 million;
– and the budget for English development projects has been increased from $9 million to $10 million.
"During the current economic crisis, it is important that the CTF continue to invest in the television industry, an industry that contributes to the country’s economy, employing thousands of Canadians across the nation, and that is vital to our culture," said Valerie Creighton, CTF’s president and CEO, in the announcement. "Investing in Canadian production puts Canadian stories on the small screen and keeps people working."
Fostering the growth of television production in Canada through financial investment and industry research, the CTF supports the development of Canadian talent, programs, and audiences. The CTF is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and Canada’s broadcasting distribution undertakings.
