Both critics and supporters of the Canadian Television Fund are cautiously optimistic about the recommendations of a report released Friday by the CRTC’s task force on the mandate and governance structure of the troubled funder.

In the 30-page report, the task force suggests that the mandate of the CTF be reviewed to include a more commercial and market-oriented approach when allocating funds through broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs). Another recommendation is that the CTF designate a portion of its funds to the development of productions for digital media platforms.

‘I am pleased with the Task Force’s belief in the CTF, acknowledgement of the good work it has accomplished towards the creation of Canadian programming, and its underscoring of the importance of the CTF to the Canadian production and broadcast sectors,’ said CTF chair Douglas Barrett in a release.

Meanwhile, the industry also offered initial impressions of the report, though many feel a closer look at the findings is needed.

‘Obviously they’re proposing some changes, and that’s what we were asking for,’ Quebecor EVP Luc Lavoie tells Playback Daily, though he’s not yet sure if the findings are in line with what the Montreal-based owner of cableco Videotron was hoping for.

‘Some parts of it are quite technical, so we’re still trying to figure out what it all means,’ he adds.

The task force, headed by the CRTC’s broadcasting vice-chair Michel Arpin, was created after Videotron and Calgary-based Shaw Communications temporarily pulled their support of the CTF in January, taking issue with the way its funds are managed and dispensed. Shaw Communications CEO Jim Shaw was not available for comment at press time.

CFTPA chair Sandra Cunningham says there are some positive signs in the report in terms of its belief in a strong role for the fund.

‘It’s also encouraging for producers that there’s a suggestion that new media rights be grandfathered with broadcasters, but that net revenues be split equally between broadcasters and producers,’ she adds, adding that that’s something producers have been asking for.

The CFTPA is confused, however, by the suggestion that independent producers should no longer be members of the CTF board, which the task force says could give the appearance of a conflict of interest.

‘We’re a bit perplexed that we’re seen as the only recipient of support, particularly in an environment where CTF funding is completely broadcaster-driven through broadcaster envelopes,’ says CFTPA president and CEO Guy Mayson.

The CRTC, meanwhile, is calling for input from the industry on the task force’s recommendations by way of written comments, which must be submitted to Ottawa by July 27. It is believed that the CRTC wants the changes to be implemented by March 2008.