CTF begins assessing financial implications of CRTC recommendations

The Canadian Television Fund's (CTF) new chair wants to calculate the bottom line impact before passing judgement on a CRTC report recommending changes to how most Canadian television programs are financed. And while there's no word on when the Department of Canadian Heritage will respond to the report, Paul Gratton said the CTF expects to have some tangible results from its review within 30 days."It's not possible to say we have a firm position on the recommendations," said industry veteran Paul Gratton, who was introduced as the fund's new chair at the CTF Stakeholders Meeting. "One of the first things we intend to do is model the CRTC proposals and see what the financial implications are....I'm sure I'll have a position at that time." Previously a CTF board member on multiple occasions, Gratton is no stranger to the fund, and its challenges. "In response to the notion ‘are you crazy to take this gig,' I do not take it foolishly or naively," he said. "I'm taking this position because I truly believe in this fund, and its ability to survive every challenge." Gratton brings more than 24 years of senior executive experience to his new position, including his most recent role as the VP of specialty channels for CHUM Entertainment. CCTA replacement namedThe CTF also announced that it had amended one of its bylaws to allow the Canadian Coalition for Cultural Expression (CCCE) as a member of the fund, replacing the now-closed Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) and direct-to-home board members. The CCCE now has the right to nominate any five BDU representatives to the board (3 cable and 2 DTH), meaning membership will no longer be restricted to only one DTH member. Barrett says goodbye The stakeholders meeting also afforded outgoing chair Doug Barrett an opportunity to reflect on his time at the helm of the fund, particularly this last, trying year. Gratton joked that when he last left the board he told the then incoming Barrett that all he'd have to do was dot the I's and cross the T's. Of course, a couple of months later Shaw and Quebecor announced they were suspending their CTF payments, setting off a year long critique of the fund. But out of that review came much public praise of the CTF and what it does. "The fund was overwhelmed at a certain level by the amount of support from the stakeholder groups," said Barrett. Even though the CTF's operational structure may face a significant overhaul in the coming months, Barrett reminded the audience that its existence was in jeopardy not too long ago. "Last year at this time it looked like we were headed to the dustbin," he said. "But you will still have a fund with the same amount of money to make Canadian television." Year-end highlights releasedEarlier today, the CTF also released highlights of its 2007-2008 Stakeholders' Report. They include:CTF revenues for 2007-2008 totalled almost $285 million;Administration expenses were limited to 4.7% of revenues, including both the CTF and the Television Business Unit at Telefilm Canada, which administers the CTF's programs;468 production and 310 development projects were funded, with total production budgets of over $242 million and total development budgets of over $14 million;Programs funded by the CTF in 2007-2008 included: 43 English-language and 30 French-language Dramas; 41 English-language and 26 French-language Children's and Youth shows; 137 English-language and 124 French-language Documentaries, and 16 English-language and 33 French-language Variety and Performing Arts shows;2,297 hours of new Canadian programming were generated by CTF-funded programs.The 2007-2008 Stakeholders' Report is available on the CTF website at www.ctf-fct.ca.

CTF begins assessing financial implications of CRTC recommendations

News | 06/11/2008 7:35 pm EDT

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