The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) has reported an 18.5% drop in Canadian film and TV production volume during the 2023/24 period, reflecting a sharp return to pre-pandemic levels. With production activity totaling $6.68 billion (C$9.58 billion), this downturn comes amid U.S. actors’ and writers’ strikes and a slowdown in commissioning, particularly in English-language television.

Key Findings from the CMPA Profile 2024 Report

• Production Volume Decline: A decrease from $8.19 billion (C$11.75 billion) in 2022/23 to $6.68 billion (C$9.58 billion) in 2023/24.

• Sector Breakdown: Foreign location and service production contributed $3.3 billion (C$4.73 billion), followed by Canadian television at $2.29 billion (C$3.25 billion) and theatrical feature films at $310 million (C$440 million).

• Economic Contribution: The screen production sector supported 180,000 jobs and added $7.7 billion (C$11.04 billion) to Canada’s GDP.

• Language Split: English-language productions accounted for 70% of Canadian content spending, with French-language productions making up the remainder.

Industry Challenges

CMPA President Reynolds Mastin emphasized the challenges for small production companies, particularly in kids’ programming and animation. While foreign location and service (FLS) production remains 80% higher than in 2014/15, the Canadian production sector has seen slower growth over the same period.

Compounding the industry’s difficulties, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is rolling out the Online Streaming Act. This act mandates that streaming platforms dedicate 5% of local revenues to Canadian content, but these contributions won’t begin until August 2025.

“We are still one to two years away from seeing new investments through the Online Streaming Act,” Mastin said. “Recovery is crucial for the tens of thousands of Canadians whose livelihoods depend on the success of this industry.”

Looking Ahead

Despite current challenges, optimism remains for recovery. The CMPA shifted its annual report release from spring to December to provide a more accurate snapshot of the industry. As the Online Streaming Act takes effect, the hope is for renewed investments and growth in Canadian content.