CMF balances modernization and industry stability in $359M 2026–2027 Program Budget

Toronto, April 1, 2026 — The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today presented our Program Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1. Totalling $359M, the budget furthers the modernization of our funding model while maintaining as much stability as possible for the industry.  

Note: The full Industry budget and slate of programs will be announced Wednesday, April 8, and will also provide information about webcasts detailing changes to Sector Development Support programs.  

“Amidst continued disruption, judicial and regulatory uncertainty, and following extensive consultation with the sector, the CMF has made a strategic decision to provide as much stability as possible for the industry,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “In 2026–2027, support for television content continues to represent the vast majority of CMF funding—about 84 per cent of the CMF’s Ideation and Creation Program Budget. Every program devoted to television funding has maintained its 2025–2026 allocation level.” 

“In parallel, we are accelerating our modernization to better serve a rapidly evolving industry. The budget allocated to interactive digital media (IDM) will increase 36 per cent compared to last year. We’re adding a million dollars to the Digital Creators Pilot Program budget and opening it to podcasters. And we are excited to launch a new Business Development Program later this year that will focus on support for producers to grow their businesses and expand into new markets.”     

“We thank the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors for their continued partnership and support of Canada’s screen-based industry.” 

View the breakdown of our 2026–2027 Program Budget

Key changes 

The changes detailed below complement our March 2, 2026 announcement about the 2026–2027 Distributor Program, Broadcaster Envelope Program, and Linear Program Model. 

Across all programs 

Managing oversubscription and poor proration:  

• Measures will be introduced in different programs to help ensure that the funding amounts we provide are not a very small portion of what producers are seeking.

• These measures include lower caps on the number of projects an applicant can submit, increased eligibility criteria to apply to certain programs, and a Market Commitment Ranking in case of significant oversubscription.

Emphasizing ownership and control 

• Aligning with numerous equity-deserving industry stakeholders, we will shift most of our policies that center on key personnel to focus on ownership and control of the project and production company, putting more resources and power in the hands of companies led by individuals from underrepresented communities.

Linear programs 

Increased flexibility in the Documentary genre  

• International entities will be able to contribute up to 25 per cent of the minimum threshold to unlock CMF funds.

• For Indigenous producers only, the definition of Documentary series will expand to include reality and lifestyle projects.

Language flexibility in the Program for Black and Racialized Communities  

• While preserving one-third of the program’s budget for French-language projects, the remaining two-thirds will be available for projects in any language other than French.

Interactive digital media (IDM) programs 

Increased resources for IDM projects 

• The budget earmarked for IDM projects is seeing its biggest year-over-year growth since the CMF’s creation, increasing 36 per cent to $57M compared to 2025–2026.

New IDM Stream 

• We will introduce a Third-Party Investment Stream to the Commercial Projects Program. This is a first-come, first-served pilot initiative for projects that have a viable, locked financing plan with a minimum of 25 per cent of bona-fide third-party investment at the time of application.

Industry programs 

Increased resources and eligibility for the Digital Creators Pilot Program (DCPP) 

• The DCPP’s budget is $1.4M, more than triple the 2025–2026 figure.

• While the program will narrow its focus to business development activities, we are expanding eligibility beyond social media creators to also support eligible podcasters.

New Business Development Program 

• By late summer/fall 2026, we will launch a Business Development Program (BDP) to provide funding for eligible companies to grow their businesses, expand into new markets, develop new business models and revenue streams, and create new business partnerships. More details will be announced later this year.

Access the detailed 2026–2027 Summary of Changes

The CMF’s Program Budget is supported by revenue estimates for the coming year based on ongoing funding contributions from the Government of Canada, and contributions from Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors (collectively known as broadcasting distribution undertakings or BDUs). Tangible benefits, recoupment, and repayment revenues from funded productions also support the program budget.  

Webcasts 

CMF staff will host webcasts to provide more information about the changes to CMF programs and guidelines on the following dates:  

• Interactive digital media programs: Thursday, April 9, 2026

• French: 11 a.m. EDT — Zoom link

• English: 1 p.m. EDT — Zoom link

• Linear content programs: Thursday, April 16

• French: 11 a.m. EDT — Zoom link

• English: 1 p.m. EDT — Zoom link

About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances, and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voices, and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors. Visit our website for more information.

Media contact 

Maxime Ruel
Senior Manager, Communications
mruel@cmf-fmc.ca