As of September 1st, over-the-air broadcasters serving markets of less than 1 million people will become eligible for a share of approximately $100 million from the new Local Programming Improvement Fund, or LPIF. Both private broadcasters and CBC/Radio-Canada television stations are eligible.

Created by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the LPIF is funded by cable and direct-to-home satellite companies which are required to contribute 1.5% of their gross broadcasting-related revenues from the 2008-2009 broadcast year.

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) was mandated by the CRTC to assist with the development of the fund and to build an effective governance structure. The Fund will be governed by a five-person board: three private broadcasters representing English, French and independent stations from smaller markets, one CBC/Radio-Canada representative, and one cable/satellite representative.

The LPIF Board members are:

• Rick Arnish, President, The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group
• Pierre R. Brosseau, Executive Chairman, RNC Media Inc.
• Kevin Goldstein, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTVglobmedia Inc.
• Bev Kirshenblatt, Senior Director Regulatory Affairs, CBC/Radio-Canada
• Cable/Satellite nominee (to be announced)
  

“The CAB has consistently advocated for local television service as the cornerstone of Canada’s broadcasting system,” stated LPIF Board member, Rick Arnish. “This new fund will mean more local, high-quality programming, while building a stronger financial foundation for smaller market stations that have been hard hit by the economic recession.”

The Fund’s administrator, is McCay, Duff & Company Management Ltd. “For this program to work, it has to be easily accessible, simple to execute, and totally transparent,” noted Jason Howarth, Partner of McCay Duff. “It’s a sizeable task, but the benefits for Canadians will be significant.”

The funds will be disbursed over the 2009-2010 broadcast year. One-third of the total funding will be divided equally amongst stations in specific Francophone and Anglophone markets. The remaining two-thirds will be allocated based on eligible stations’ historic spending on local programming.

About the Canadian Association of Broadcasters
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services.

Related Web Links:
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters: www.cab-acr.ca
CRTC’s LPIF decision: www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-406.htm
McCay, Duff & Company Management Ltd.: www.mccayduff.com