Due to a combination of persistent disruptions and changing viewer preferences, British Columbia’s film and television industry is going through a transformative time. Many producers and industry professionals are reconsidering their approaches due to a variety of factors, including local broadcasting disputes, global labor strikes, and social media’s growing dominance.

The way people consume entertainment is evolving due to social media sites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, which frequently draw viewers away from traditional television and movie content. According to Matthew Shewchuk, executive producer and president of Big Time Decent Productions Inc., a Vancouver-based company that produces television series like Yukon Rescue, Backroad Truckers, and Rust Valley Restorers, this change is having an effect on advertising revenue streams.

According to Shewchuk, “more viewers are turning to unfiltered content online rather than curated TV programming.” “The attention is being followed by advertisers.”

Shewchuk has started investing in YouTube as a creative and profitable outlet in order to adjust. He pointed out that digital-first projects frequently cannot afford traditional documentary crews. Rather, he is relying on younger creatives who are adept at producing high-caliber content with little equipment.

More flexible production has been made possible by his company’s Rust Bros YouTube channel, which was started with Rust Valley cast members. They have developed a fan base and made money through platform monetization by managing the filming and editing in-house and consistently releasing content.

“You can post on YouTube every day and start making money if you keep expenses low and concentrate on quality content,” he stated. “It’s comparable to how digital platforms changed the music industry.”

Although sites like YouTube are very accessible and have a large potential audience, they are also very crowded, making it difficult to stand out. “Now everyone has a channel, even children who make snack challenges. There’s a lot of noise to contend with,” he continued.

Beyond digital trends, the 2023 U.S. writers’ and actors’ strikes severely impacted B.C.’s industry by stopping production throughout North America. These strikes cost Southern California almost US$6.5 billion and over 45,000 jobs, according to Deadline.com.

The effects were felt deeply because many U.S. companies rely on Canada, especially Vancouver and Toronto, for production services. By the end of 2023, hiring in the film and television sector in British Columbia, which employs roughly 88,000 people, had decreased by more than 80%, according to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport Lana Popham.

Though scripted content still lags slightly behind, production activity has increased since then, especially for unscripted and documentary-style programming. Shewchuk thinks major streaming services like Netflix continue to find British Columbia to be a desirable location due to its robust talent pool and reputation for having high-caliber crews.

He stated, “B.C. has proven itself—Netflix trusts the crews here and more productions are choosing to shoot in the region.”

But there is still uncertainty. Canadian broadcasting may be impacted by a legal battle between Bell Media and Rogers Communications. Citing a provision in their contract that ensures a two-year adjustment window, Bell has requested a court order to stop Rogers from broadcasting Warner Bros. content in the upcoming year.

Networks like HGTV, Animal Planet, and The Food Network might momentarily stop airing for Canadian viewers if the court rules in favor of Bell, which would be unsettling for content creators.

Shewchuk stated, “We don’t know who we’ll be pitching our shows to in the future.” We’ll direct our pitches there if Rogers joins Discovery. We’ll concentrate our efforts appropriately if Bell keeps it.

Many people are still hopeful about the industry’s ability to bounce back and adjust in spite of the upheaval. The creative industry in British Columbia is still poised for growth, albeit on a very different trajectory than previously, thanks to a robust pool of local talent, growing production opportunities, and the development of digital platforms.