IS TELEVISION IN TROUBLE IN QUEBEC?

According to the 2025 Profile of the Audiovisual Industry in Quebec, the total value of Quebec film and television productions dropped by $224 million, with the number of projects falling from 671 to 535 between 2022–2023 and 2023–2024.

Broadly speaking, most of our productions are financed through three main sources: the production requirements imposed on licensed broadcasters by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the Canada Media Fund (CMF), and production tax credits.

Licensed broadcasters (TVA, NOOVO, CBC/Radio-Canada, and specialty channels) have experienced a significant decline in advertising revenue, as these dollars have migrated to the web.

The CMF, which has been supported by cable subscriptions since 1996… Hmm cable? The CMF’s investments dropped from $374 million in 2015 to $346 million in 2025, and that’s not even accounting for inflation.

Lastly, production tax credits are directly tied to the amounts invested by broadcasters. In short: fewer dollars in production requirements = fewer productions = fewer tax credits injected. That’s the bad news.

WILL THINGS GET BETTER?

The bulk of the funding is directly tied to regulations issued by the CRTC.

In June 2024, the CRTC issued new rules requiring foreign platforms to invest in Canadian production. Unfortunately, these platforms have ignored their obligations and are currently turning to the courts to avoid paying their dues. That’s roughly $200 million per year (about $40 million annually for Quebec (not including the associated tax credits) ) that’s not being injected into our industry.

The CRTC must now decide how Canadian industry players - linear and digital broadcasters, platforms, internet providers, and telecom companies - will contribute to the sustainability of our Canadian and Quebec audiovisual culture. Hearings are currently underway. Can we hope for new rules in the coming year?

In the meantime, I wish us all solidarity. Among ourselves, with our producers and broadcasters. BUT I also urge us not to continue subsidizing the survival of our culture through our working conditions and wages. Never again on our backs.

Dominic Pilon
Vice-President – Television and Documentary Productions