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In a report prepared for the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), ACTRA, the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) and the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), consultant Nordicity Group sets out to prove that although Canadian programming is not necessarily more profitable than American, it " 'can be profitable for Canadian broadcasting groups. As such, we make the case that any requirements that Canadian broadcasters acquire and exhibit Canadian programming are not necessarily the economic burden that Canadian broadcasters often portray them to be.' "
Some broadcasters have requested that, given the economic downturn, the CRTC not require them to produce any priority programming over the next licence term. Canwest also asked that it be able to lower its use of independent productions from 75% to 50%.
According to the Nordicity study though, the reputation of Canadian content, especially drama, is suffering because programmers take a short term approach to the accounting that only considers results for a first window on the original broadcaster.
Norm Bolen, president and CEO of the CFTPA, told the CRTC that the accounting model used by specialties does a better job of demonstrating that Canadian programming can be profitable.
" 'So you're saying,' " asked CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein, " 'if we imposed spending rules on conventional similar to those (imposed) on specialties, conventional would stop treating Canadian content as a burden and would treat it as an opportunity?' " Bolen answered, " 'That"s precisely what we"re saying.' "
Source: Cartt, 05/08/2009
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