The CRTC created the Local Programming Improvement Fund in 2008 to improve the quality of local television stations outside of metropolitan markets and support smaller stations struggling to transition to digital television. The funds had been collected from larger cable and satellite companies’ profits, which had been passing the fees on to consumers through an extra charge to their bills.

   In a statement, CRTC Vice Chairman of Telecommunications Leonard Katz said that 78 stations received $100 million in funds in 2011 and that 80 stations received $106 million in funding in 2010. “The Fund was created to ensure television stations had the resources to meet Canadians’ needs for local programming,” he said. “We are satisfied with the support it has provided during a difficult economic period.”