Opinion: Streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus aren’t required to contribute to Canadian content and undermine the pillars of Canadian broadcasting.
As a Canadian kid in the ’70s and ’80s, shows like “The Littlest Hobo” and “Degrassi” shaped me. So, when I decided to pursue screenwriting as an adult, I never considered moving to Los Angeles. I wanted to work here; to tell Canadian stories about Canadians in Canada. And I still do.
To the first point, Canadian TV represents Canadians — our lives, our landscapes, our sensibilities and our stories. We are different than Americans and that difference is reflected in our story telling. One example: a Canadian cop show I worked on called “Flashpoint” was about a SWAT team doing everything they could toAs to the second point, Canadian TV cannot exist without government support. Simple economics stands in the way. Making high quality television is an expensive endeavour. The U.S.
But now streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus are undermining the basic pillars supporting Canadian broadcasting. These streamers aren’t required to contribute to Canadian content like traditional Canadian broadcasters. This has resulted to a significant decline in spending on Canadian content. Fewer shows. Fewer jobs. Fewer stories. Canadian writers are fleeing for Hollywood in droves.
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