Drum roll: a first-time terms of trade agreement between Canadian broadcasters and indie producers appears in sight.

The breakthrough to revive stalled talks to value Canadian program rights, including new media product, came after the Canadian Media Production Association, representing the indie producers, narrowed its demands and made unspecified concessions.

“We decided to take a hard look at our proposal, and come as close to a bottom line position to get a deal,” John Barrack, the COO and chief legal officer for the CMPA, told Playback Daily of efforts to end an impasse.

The CRTC has called for an equitable terms of trade regime between broadcasters and indie producers before upcoming broadcast license renewal hearings get underway.

CTV, a key player in the terms-of-trade talks, apparently likes what the CMPA has put on the table.

“The CMPA has provided a recent draft which has gone a long ways in bridging philosophical differences,” Corrie Coe, the CTV’s senior vice-president of independent production, told the CRTC last week during hearings into BCE’s $3.2 billion takeover of the broadcaster.

“There may be some discussion about a minor point or two. But full credit to the CMPA for that,” Coe added.

The producers have yet to formally hear back from the broadcasters on their bridging proposals for a final agreement.

The optimism expressed by CTV’s Coe was the first public word the CMPA has received on the issue.

Another five negotiating days have been scheduled in late February and early March.