TORONTO – Despite fierce competition from other jurisdictions, a sluggish U.S. economy and a high Canadian dollar, Ontario’s film and television industry contributed $964.3 million to the provincial economy in 2010.
That’s a modest increase of nearly $18 million over 2009 according to data released by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) Wednesday. The $964 million in production activity created more than 23,000 full-time direct and spin-off jobs, it added.
Increased spending was seen in foreign television series, which the OMDC says reflects the continuing influence of the provincial government’s 2009 enhancements to the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC), which was expanded from 25% of eligible labour to include all eligible Ontario production costs.
Foreign television series spending spiked in 2010 contributing $118.9 million in 2010 compared to $58 million in 2009 – a 105.1% increase. Foreign feature film productions jumped to 20 from 9 in 2009.
Domestic television movies of the week grew 33.2% to $115.6 million from $86.8 million in 2009. Total foreign production spending increased by $46 million or 16.9%. Total domestic production spending contributed $646 million.
