TORONTO – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) disbursed a record amount of $327 million last year to help produce 4,400 hours of programming, including 932 hours of new broadcast programs. That was just one of the highlights in its 2009-2010 annual report released this week.
“If there were a theme to this year, that theme would be dialogue” said Louis Roquet, chair of the CMF’s board of directors, in a statement. “The dialogue between the various stakeholders of the corporation was strengthened through an extensive year-long consultation”. That consultation process and review of content funding parameters led to the creation of programs and policies currently provided by the Canada Media Fund, the organization said.
Other highlights from the report include:
– The CTF supported a total of 931 projects, including 476 Production and 352 Development projects;
– Development funding reached a record high of $9.8 M;
– 427 CTF funded programs were nominated for awards and won 95 Gemini and Gémeaux awards;
– 2009–2010 total production budgets climbed above $1 billion, or 20% above the average of the preceding four years;
– Performance envelopes (BPEs) were allocated to 59 English and 20 French broadcasters; five new broadcasters received envelopes in 2009–2010;
– Regional production received 30% of the funding allocated in 2009-2010 (including Aboriginal Language Projects); and
– The Digital Media Pilot Program budget grew from $2 to $10 million. The number of projects funded by the program increased almost twofold from 30 to 77.
Click here for more on the annual report. Created by Canada’s cable and satellite distributors and the Government of Canada, the CMF champions the creation and promotion of successful, innovative, Canadian content and software applications for current and emerging digital platforms through financial support and industry research.
