Montreal: Tele-Quebec, Quebec’s cultural and educational television broadcaster, invested more than $20 million in some 60 independent productions, representing 400 hours of original programs and combined budgets of more than $66 million in 1999/00.

In its recently released annual report for ’99/00, the network’s development office reported receiving 496 program submissions, 49% documentaries. Tele-Quebec (Societe de Telediffusion du Quebec) says its investment in regional activity outside Montreal increased 25% to $4 million.

The network is currently asking the crtc to permit it to increase commercial airtime to eight minutes per hour from six minutes, up to a maximum of 800 minutes per week. Tele-Quebec says it will maintain its ban on commercials during children’s programs.

The network recently announced it will become the main licensee in the 2002 season of the popular but costly Zone3 kids science show Les Debrouillards. Radio-Canada had earlier announced the show would be canceled.

Total revenues for Tele-Quebec in ’99/00 increased 2% to $67.4 million compared to $66.3 million in the previous period. Expenditures totaled $65.9 million, including $32.1 million in programming, $11.5 million in production and technology costs, $11.5 million in administration and just under $4 million for marketing and communications. The government appropriation was cut by $1.3 million to $53.5 million, mainly for the purposes of servicing long-term debt. Other revenues, including the sale of commercial airtime, totaled $13.9 million.

Programming highlights include the top-rated cooking and food show Ciel! Mon Pinard (Trinome), the Prix Gemeaux-winning children’s series Cornemuse (Telefiction), the cultural mag Les Choix de Sophie (Pixcom), the variety series Le Plaisir croit avec usage (Sogestalt 2001) and the youth series Macaroni Tout Garni (Publivision).

Other notable primetime programs include the hip society mag Les Franc-tireurs (Avanti Cine Video), various cinema showcases and the in-house studio debate series Droit de Parole, hosted by Anne-Marie Dussault and now in its 23rd season.

Tele-Quebec management includes president and director-general Doris Girard, programming director Mario Clement and program managers Cecile Bellemare (development), Alain Ergas (acquisitions) and Danielle Beaudry (production). *