CBC scripted chief: ‘we have to partner to finance shows’

The scripted chief of Canadian PSB the CBC has outlined the reality of scripted budgets for the broadcaster, admitting they cannot solely finance projects.

Speaking at Banff World Media Festival, executive director of scripted Trish Williams said: “On the scripted side we have to partner to finance.”

The commissioner, who was joined by executive director of unscripted Jennifer Dettman on-stage, was also honest about the realities of needing to pitched projects that will be suitable for international sales.

“Will your project be financeable or attract another partner? Is it marketable in the international marketplace?” she asked producers in the crowd.

She cited CBC original Saint-Pierre, for which Fifth Season is distributor, noting it was “interesting to know that Fifth Season was on board already”, when making a greenlight decision.

Williams also outlined her wish-list, highlighting CBC’s desire for one-hour dramas, particularly in the procedural space, which she joked was “popular with the audience, not producers”.

In comedy, there is a keenness to promote Canadian talent, with strong point of views and voices sought.

In unscripted, co-production and budgets was less of a hot-button issue with Dettman calling on producers to being her stories that celebrate and uphold the Canadian identity alongside “buzzy, bold premium docs”.

Dettman also spoke on needing to bring in audiences that don’t see the public service broadcaster as their principal broadcaster.

Part of this is focused on capturing the 30-49 age range, which Dettman said is “younger and diverse”, by nature.

The content plans emerge against the backdrop of changes at CBC, which saw Marie-Philippe Bouchard take over from Catherine Tait as president and chief exec in January. A month later, Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge proposed a funding review, which would see funding for the broadcaster increase.

“It’s our responsibility to do all the things we said we would do and be in service to this country,” Dettman told audiences acknowledging their gratitude to Canadian producers in the room. “We feel deeply responsible to step up in new ways and push our relevance.”