Quebec TV producers are cheering the provincial government’s restoration of tax credits to locally made variety and magazine TV programs. The APFTQ, Quebec’s producers association, is also pleased that Premier Jean Charest’s Liberal government has allocated $11.5 million for SODEC’s 2004/05 budget. SODEC is the provincial funding agency responsible for supporting Quebec TV and film.

‘Variety programming is very difficult to finance,’ says APFTQ president and director-general Claire Samson. ‘Without tax credits, broadcasters can’t afford to do it themselves. Meanwhile, variety and magazine shows as a whole are responsible for a great deal of production in Quebec. In addition, these shows also promote Quebec film, music, art, and theatre.

‘The $11.5 million helps to restore funds that were cut last year, when the Quebec government decided to put more emphasis on feature film funding,’ Samson adds. ‘I think they didn’t realize the impact of these cuts when they made them. After consulting with the Quebec TV producers since then, I think they now understand.’

All told, Samson believes that the one-two punches of tax credits and $11.5 million in funding could save up to 100 hours of television and ‘over 1,000 jobs.’ However, the damage for the upcoming 2004/05 TV season may already have been done.

‘Most broadcasters are deciding on their fall lineups right now,’ she says. ‘The restored tax credits – which work out to about 15% of a show’s budget – may not have arrived soon enough to save this year.’

Samson adds that TVA has already axed the variety show Merci Bonsoir for financial reasons, and says TQS’ weekday magazine Flash may also be in jeopardy. ‘Flash is like a French-language version of Entertainment Tonight,’ she explains. ‘It brings a lot of attention to new Quebec films, music and artists.’

As for future budgets? The APFTQ is hoping that production development costs will be granted tax credits as well. ‘It is extremely expensive for producers to develop new shows,’ says Samson. ‘Such projects generate a lot of work for the production industry in Quebec. If we could receive some tax credits towards these expenses, it would make development more affordable, and allow us to create more shows.’

This said, the APFTQ left the development tax-credit issue alone when it consulted earlier this year with the Charest government. ‘Our goal this year was to see the tax credits and funding restored,’ says Samson. ‘The development tax credits can wait for another year.’

-www.quebec.audiovisuel.com