TV Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF)

In 2008, The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) created the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF) to subsidize the production of local TV programming in small communities. At the time, the CRTC stipulated that 1.5% of cable and satellite gross broadcasting revenues be contributed to the fund.

Why and how the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF) will be phased out?

The CRTC has determined that effective September 2012, contributions to the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF) will be reduced according to the following schedule:

September 1, 2012: Contributions will decrease from 1.5% of gross broadcasting revenue to 1.0%.
September 1, 2013: Contributions will decrease from 1.0% of gross broadcasting revenue to 0.5%.
September 1, 2014: Contributions will be discontinued.

For more information, please refer to the CRTC website: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/tv13.htm

How will TELUS be phasing out the Local Programming Improvement fund?

TELUS is currently working to implement this rate change. Satellite TV bills generated in September and October 2012 will continue to reflect the former LPIF contribution rate of 1.5%. Bills generated in November will be calculated using the updated LPIF rate of 1.0%.

Credits for the 0.5% LPIF overcharge for September will be shown in your October bill. Credits for the October overcharge will be reflected on your November bill. TELUS will calculate these credits automatically. It is not necessary to call TELUS to receive these credits.

How is the LPIF calculated?

The LPIF amount you pay will depend on what TELUS satellite services you subscribe to. For example, a customer subscribing to the Medium Choice TV package for $68 per month and who has free receivers will pay 68 cents each month ($68 x 1.0%).

Where does the LPIF fee go?

All money collected by TELUS to comply with this requirement is provided to the LPIF fund administrators. None of this money is retained by TELUS.