BANFF – The federal government is promising better governance and more stable funding for the Canadian Television Fund and has begun addressing those needs with an announcement of $100 million worth of support to the CTF for 2006-07.
Heritage Minister Liza Frulla announced the news as part of a speedy visit to the Banff World Television Festival today.
In a speech moved back one day to Sunday, to allow the politician to be in parliament for Monday morning (never know when those pesky votes might happen…), Frulla hit four main points. First, an oft-heard pledge to secure stable funding for the CTF, along with the money for the next fiscal year.
Second, confirmation of the rumours that the two boards of Telefilm Canada and the CTF will become one, although she added that details of "who is accountable for what will be clarified" later. The composition of the board will change, with "the voice of creators" and an "independent voice" being added to the existing mix of broadcasters, producers and government representatives.
Frulla says since the CTF was created as such in 1996, the feds have contributed more than $800 million.
Third, the minister emphasized that English-language drama must be shored up in the Canadian broadcast landscape. She says the CRTC can review "measures to assist the production of drama" when it launches into licence renewal hearings during 2006-07. This may refer to the Trina McQueen report on drama, which recommended broadcasters which increase their drama hours should be allowed more advertising minutes. It may also be a hint that the regulator is willing to look at reviewing the impact of its 1999 TV Drama policy.
The minister’s fourth main point is that Canadian broadcasters must move more quickly to convert to HDTV. Soon, she says, "the quality of the images transmitted will be a major factor when viewers choose what to watch. If Canadian programs are not available in high definition, we are going to lose viewers along the way, especially the young."
Along with asking the CBC to submit its plan for a transition to digital, the minister says the CRTC will be expected to "act as a catalyst, encouraging Canadian broadcasters to shift more quickly to high definition". Frulla says she’s asked the Industry ministry to "facilitate the transition" to high definition, given the higher costs associated with production and transmission.
– Sue Tolusso
www.cartt.ca is in Banff all week covering the TV fest. Click back to the site for more from one of the world’s pre-eminent TV festivals.
