EastLink, in partnership with Cable companies across Canada, is pleased to contribute to the development of greater Canadian programming choices for Cable viewers.
The industry has contributed to Canadian programming in part through subscription fees to Canadian pay-per-view and specialty channels. Cable subscriptions alone have accounted for $651 million, or 63 per cent, of the specialty and Pay-Per-View industries' 1999 revenues. The industry also makes a direct contribution to Canadian programming through the Canadian Media Fund. A partnership between the industry, the Department of Canadian Heritage and Telefilm Canada, Cable companies have contributed more than $320 million to the fund since it was launched in 1996.
The Canada Media Fund supported more than 830 television shows in 1999 alone, and shows funded employed 20,000 highly skilled Canadians. Currently, the Canada Media Fund is providing funding to popular, locally-produced programs such as This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Trailer Park Boys, Ollie's Under the Bed Adventures, Liocracy, Eckhart and Blackfly. EastLink is proud to contribute to the production of these programs, and to the continued growth and development of high-quality Canadian programming, through the Canada Media Fund.
Visit the Canada Media Fund website for more information.