The Performance Envelope Program is the main funding mechanism of the CMF. Broadcasters are allocated envelopes to support production in television and digital media based on past performance in commissioning and airing convergent production.

The CMF full program budget for 2011-2012 has been confirmed.

60 English and 23 French broadcasters received final amended allocations on August 12, 2011 from the full program budget for use in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. $90 million was shared among French broadcasters and $190 million was shared among English broadcasters.

A Performance Envelope is a predetermined amount of CMF funding allocated to Canadian English and French-language broadcasters in the following genres: Drama, Children's and Youth, Documentary, and Variety and Performing Arts. The division of Performance Envelope allocations per genre are approved by the CMF Board of Directors.

A Performance Envelope is calculated by measuring a broadcaster's performance against that of other broadcasters in each genre, based on six weighted factors: audience success – total hours tuned, audience success – original first run, historic performance, regional licensing, above-threshold licensing and digital media investment. The audience success – original first run factor applies only to drama and variety and performing arts allocations. The CMF calculates each broadcaster's share of credit annually for the performance factors by language and genre. Each broadcaster is then allocated a corresponding share of available CMF funding, which is then directed to eligible productions.

Broadcasters in the English market have also been allocated amended development funds in envelopes from the full program budget on August 12, 2011, which broadcasters can use to support development projects. Amounts have been calculated using two factors weighted at 50% each: historic performance in development and the share of total 2011-2012 Performance Envelopes.

Notes: The flex amount (of 50%) can be used for supporting productions of any eligible genre. Development envelopes do not have genre allocations.