Citing the new regulations for the Canadian Television Fund as the reason, ctv may postpone the spring premier of its high-profile drama series Flesh and Blood until next fall.

Although word at press time was that ctv was rethinking the decision, in late December, the network decided to cancel the show’s spring debut.

The December decision was prompted by the new ctf guidelines that make the funding of 22 episode drama series precarious, says Bill Mustos, ctv vp, dramatic programming.

‘We decided that we better not air our series in the spring without the confidence that we will have 22 episodes for next fall,’ says Mustos.

He says because the guidelines make funding 22 episodes of a Canadian drama series so ‘tough’ and limit each broadcaster to funding for only one 22-episode series, ctv may bank the 13 episodes already shot, with the plan to make a deal with producers Sarrazin/Couture to produce at least 13 more.

With 26 episodes, the series would premier next fall following a heavy summer promo campaign.

Even if Flesh and Blood is left out of the next round of ctf funding it would at least premier in a traditional fall slot instead of the spring.

‘As I’m sure you heard us say at the crtc hearings, the only way to compete with the Americans is to have 22 or 26 episodes,’ says Mustos.

Although he would not comment on how, Mustos says ‘ctv will fulfill its minimum Canadian drama requirement (5.5 hours per week) this season.’

In other ctv Cancon sked news, the network is switching timeslots for Due South and Power Play. Power Play will now run on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Due South will be seen at 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

A two-hour movie featuring highlights from Power Play’s first season aired on ctv Sunday, Jan. 3, leading into new episodes of the hockey series in its new slot.

Reruns of this season’s Due South will be seen on Thursdays until March when the final four episodes of the series have been slotted against reruns of Global’s ratings surprise Friends.

With a heavy promo campaign planned, the final two-part episode of Due South will air on Sunday, March 14.