Just over three months into the ctcpf's 1997/98 fiscal year, the $54.7 million English-language side of the Licence Fee Program is tapped out. The last of the $27.3 million French-language pot is expected to run dry by the end of July.

All told, 131 English-language applications requesting a total of $36.7 million are left in limbo, although producers are being allowed to complete their files and stand in line for any new funds that may come available courtesy of new distribution undertakings.

In 1997/98, the overall regional allocation didn't fare any better over last year. Producers outside Toronto and Montreal accessed 42% of the English program envelope compared to 41% the previous fiscal.

Of the regions, b.c. and Nova Scotia came away the big winners. Producers on the West Coast accessed 18% or $9.7 million of the '97/98 kitty, a jump from 8% ($4.4 million) in the previous fiscal. Nova Scotia producers dipped in for 13% or $7.3 million of the budget, compared to 10% ($5.5 million) in '96/97.

Ontario producers saw their share of the fund drop to 47% ($25.3 million) from last year's tally of 50% ($26.7 million). Alberta, post the ampdc closure, saw a marked decline, drawing only 5% ($2.6 million) of the envelope compared to 12% ($6.3 million) in the last round. Manitoba's allocation fell to 2% ($1.1 million) from 5% ($2.5 million) last year. Newfoundland producers, who accessed 1.5% or $800,000 last year, were shut out completely in this round.

Saskatchewan companies drew 4% ($1.9 million) of the budget, up from last year's 2% ($1.1 million), and New Brunswick producers, who didn't see any of the English-language money in '96/97, came away with 8% or $400,000 of the pot.

Quebec producers absorbed 11% or $6.4 million of the English-language envelope, relatively unchanged from last year.

It is of note that productions licensed by the cbc (eligible to access up to 50% of the envelope) absorbed only 19%.

The English-language envelope closed July 10, kick-starting 165 programs worth $330 million in production activity. As of July 16, $7.5 million was left in the French-language coffer, but the lfp expected the complete expenditure of this envelope by July 25.

The lfp's English-language pot was shared by 26 dramas, representing about half the total envelope with $27.8 million committed.

New series accessing funds include Keatley MacLeod/ Atlantis' Cold Squad, the b.c./Ontario coproduction Da Vinci's Inquest from Toronto's Barna-Alper and Vancouver's Chris Haddock, Alliance's Once A Thief and Epitome Pictures' Riverdale.

Kids' programming accounted for 26% of the envelope, with $14.3 million committed to a total of 29 kids' shows; 88 docs received a total of $8.5 million, representing 16% of the envelope; 13 variety programs drew 6% ($3.5 million); and nine performing arts shows picked up 1% or $600,000 of the envelope.

Announcing the lfp's English-language tally, executive director Garry Toth noted that individual project commitments ranged from $3,900 to $3 million, and 62 productions with budgets under $250,000 were supported.

The promise of a new injection of money into the ctcpf came with the recent crtc decision that any new player delivering tv services, including dth satellite and wireless cable, must contribute a minimum of 80% of its production spending obligation to the ctcpf with the option to distribute the remaining 20% to other independent production funds.

But increased revenues at the ctcpf won't be realized this year nor should producers expect any marked funding jumps for a few years, says Toth.

"When the new broadcast distribution undertakings come on stream in late '98, we may see some upward trend in revenue. It will depend on the subscriber base of the new undertakings."

But he applauds the crtc decision, noting that over the long run the contributions of the broadcast distribution companies will give the ctcpf a permanent source of revenue. He also welcomes the 20% window for other funds, indicating this spells good news for regional production incentives.