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Study: Canuck kids TV is 'under threat' BANFF NEWS: Canada's central role in the global children's television production industry is under threat, according to a new study published here today. The study, from the Canadian Film & Television Production Association (CFTPA), the Shaw Rocket Fund and The Alliance for Children & Television, says declining programme budgets have made Canadian kids shows less appealing to international buyers. The report, titled The Case for Kids Programming: Children’s & Youth Screen-Based Production in Canada - 2009 Edition and prepared by Nordicity Group, was published to coincide with the annual Banff TV Festival here in Banff, Canada. It claims that children’s and youth audio-visual production declined to a 10-year low of C$257m (US$233m) in 2007/08, from a peak of C$389m in 1999/00. It also says the average half-hour budget of a Canadian kids show has fallen by 14%, from C$275,000 to C$236,000. The study blames declining public investment, saying that direct public funding for children’s and youth production dropped to only C$87m in 2007/08, the lowest level in 10 years. This is despite the fact that programmes targeted at those under 18 deliver strong audiences, consistently rank among the top 10 television shows in both the English- and French-language markets in Canada and have "tremendous international sales potential." The three bodies behind the study are now calling for more public investment in this genre so that Canadian kids programming can "remain viable in the global multi-platform world." They added: "By making targeted investment into children’s and youth programming today, industry stakeholders can attract more Canadian children and youth with stories that reflect our national reality to make them lifelong consumers of solid Canadian content." Canadian children's series have enjoyed much success on the global marketplace in recent years, with titles such as Maggie & the Ferocious Beast, Zimmer Twins, This is Daniel Cook, Max & Ruby, The Doodlebops and Naturally Sadie selling well. Boosted by tax-break schemes and other incentives, the sector has also attracted much in the way of international coproduction finance. The publication of the study comes as independent producers here in Banff discuss the impact of the global economic crisis. While it has hit production budgets for kids shows, the crunch has seen an upside in that cost-conscious US networks are now buying more Canadian drama series to fill their primetime slots. Nevertheless, "the economic downturn, belt-tightening by broadcasters and consumer viewing habits are having a huge impact on the independent production sector overall," said the CFTPA. Ed Waller 9 Jun 2009 © C21 Media 2009 
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