Sitting just over the horizon for the ctf board is the as-yet unresolved question of private broadcasters being allowed to distribute eip-funded shows.

The guidelines contain no changes to the rules which prohibit broadcasters from seeking distribution, video, merchandising or new media rights for any eip funded projects.

The guidelines do, however, contain a footnote which indicates that the ctf board will create a subcommittee ‘to review this provision.’ Following the review, which will likely take place after April, the ‘eip may issue an interpretation bulletin containing its revised policy concerning distribution of eip-financed projects by broadcaster-affiliated distribution companies.’

While the new regs ask private broadcasters to up licence fees and encourage equity investments in shows to up points for ‘at risk dollars,’ broadcaster interests may argue that there is still no way for them to participate in the profits of ctf-funded programs.

Being granted the ability to exploit foreign territory as well as other rights would give broadcasting interests a crack at those profits that they argue they don’t receive from equity investments because they are ‘too far down the totem poll’ when they are paid out.

On the other hand, many argue that the ad time sold during most ctf-funded shows already turns a profit for the private broadcasters.

‘The question of distribution. . . is a subject which has some controversy associated with it,’ concedes Stursberg.

While it appears that this year’s guidelines have been designed to invoke order upon the inevitable oversubscription and avoid the fund-draining drama of yesteryear, clearly a malignant battle for ctf dollars lies ahead.

‘The broadcasters have a number of issues that they would like to have discussed,’ says Stursberg, ‘including access by affiliated companies to the eip. They’d like to have a discussion about distribution issues and they’d like to have a further discussion about the cbc/private sector envelope splits.

‘Those are just not things we have taken up in this round, we figured we had enough on our plate,’ says the ctf head.