TORONTO – Data released this week by the Motion Picture Association-Canada shows a pretty big impact on the Ontario economy from just one big-budget American TV show.
The production of CBS’s Star Trek: Discovery (which is on CBS All Access in the States and CTV Sci-Fi in Canada) has spent more than $257 million and created over 4,199 jobs for local crew and other labour, says the MPA-Canada. The analysis done by chartered accountants MNP LLP showed that each season of production supported well over 100 Ontario-based businesses from communities across the province.
“In season one alone, the production spent over $145.6 million; including more than $81 million on local crew and labour,” reads the release. “Over 158 businesses from more than 39 communities across Ontario benefitted from over $64.5 million spent on the purchase of goods and services including catering, hotel rooms, vehicle and equipment rentals, furniture and clothing retailers, cleaning and alterations, storage, audio/video service and more.”
Of course, the show will soon anchor the brand new CBS production studio in Mississauga. (Correction: An earlier version of this story said the show was already shooting at the new CBS studio, but it is still in production at Pinewood Studios in Toronto.)
CBS Television Studios produces Star Trek: Discovery with Toronto-based executive producers John Weber (Take 5 Productions) and Frank Siracusa (Whizbang Films).
“The Toronto area has provided series like Star Trek: Discovery with diverse and appealing locations, great production infrastructure and crafts expertise that cannot be easily found,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Television Studios, in the release.
“The data released today demonstrates the significant impact a single television production can have on the provincial economy,” added Wendy Noss, president, MPA – Canada.
To view the full report, click here.
