For Canadians, you can apply for a grant from the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund to finance your app. Note that other than mobile apps, this grant can also be used for other new media initiatives related to the TV project.
Below are the main factors to consider:
- Applicant is Canadian
- Project has locked a Canadian broadcaster
- Project fulfills 8/10 points of Cavco's Canadian content certification system
- It takes 6-8 weeks after the deadlines for Bell to review your application.
- 3 deadlines per year: Feb 1, May 1, Oct 1
There are 2 tracks of grants you can apply for:
Development Program (for planning & prototype development)
- Amount: up to 75% of development cost, to a maximum of CAD$50,000.
- The TOTAL cost of planning for this app (from concept, detailed planning and proposal) therefore cannot exceed CAD$66,000 per project
- International co-productions qualify, subject to conditions stipulated in official treaty agreements.
Production Program (actual production of the app)
-
For the app component:
Amount: up to 75% of the production cost, up to a maximum of CAD$250,000 per project
PLUS
A bonus grant matching broadcaster's cash contribution to the new media component - up to CAD$100,000
-
For the TV component:
Amount: up to 75% of Canadian broadcast licence, to a maximum of CAD$75,000
The apps must be released BEFORE or at the same time as first window broadcast
Our advice:
Plan early. If you'd like a mobile app to be released before the TV show is broadcast in the Fall for example, you should talk to us now so your application to Bell can be submitted by the May 1st deadline. The app can then be released by August.
You can explore further details at http://www.ipf.ca/Bell/English/BellFund.html