In a move toward establishing a much-needed Canadian star system and some good old-fashioned hype for indigenous television programs, Global Communications has donated $6 million to the Canadian Television Fund to deliver a five-year program dedicated to promoting and publicizing Canadian tv.

‘We believe that we can effectively increase viewing of Canadian primetime programming by increasing awareness and creating excitement around individual productions and making sure our stars become household names,’ says Global president and ceo Gerry Noble.

Part of Global’s $84-million benefits package, established as a result of the company’s acquisition of WIC Western International, the program, appropriately titled the Promotion and Programming (pop) fund, creates a separate envelope through which producers can apply for such off-air promotional vehicles as billboard, radio, print and transit advertising.

pop will be administered through the lfp beginning at the start of the ctf’s next fiscal year, April 1, 2001.

‘This special fund fills an important unmet need in the overall Canadian production industry,’ says ctf chairman Richard Stursberg.

Other Global commitments include a $1 million fund to assist with international marketing of Canadian programs, as well as, $1 million for the development of ‘Star Minutes,’ 100 independently produced, 60-second promos featuring Canada’s leading actors, writers, musicians and other contributors to the broadcasting and cultural industries.

In other Global Television news, Global Television First Project Fund was established Nov. 3.

The $750,000 fund, earmarked for emerging producers in b.c., will finance the production of 10 half-hour documentary programs over a five-year period, beginning in September. Global wants standalone programs about West Coast stories suitable for primetime audiences.

Barbara Reid, Global’s western development manager, will administer the new fund. *

-www.canwestglobal.com