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B.C.’s film and television production industry exploded with growth of 40 per cent last fiscal year over the year before thanks largely to binge-watchers on internet streaming services.

For the first time, B.C. surpassed Ontario, which grew 10 per cent over the same period, to become Canada’s largest centre of film and television production, according to a new report from the Canadian Media Producers Association.

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British Columbia’s industry grew to $2.9 billion in 2016/17 from $2.1 billion in 2015/16, bringing with it a 40 per cent cent surge in jobs, to 24,000 from 17,000, according to the report.

Driving the growth is an insatiable demand for content from Netflix and other internet streaming services to serve a growing viewership in the Indian subcontinent, Japan, China and South Korea as well as Europe, said Robert Wong, vice-president of Creative B.C.

“The global demand for content has increased significantly over the years, particularly high-end scripted television,” he said. “And Vancouver’s proximity to Los Angeles has definitely given it a big advantage for episodic TV production.”