Financial Sustainability
TVO provides a valuable public service, connecting Ontarians to the information, analysis, and diverse perspectives they need to engage with the issues that matter in their communities and around the world.
TVO Financial Sustainability
TVO’s Strong Record of Financial Stewardship
Funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, and a registered charity supported by sponsors and donors, TVO emphasizes prudent stewardship of public funds and a focus on self-generated revenue.
Every year, TVO finds new savings to offset inflationary pressures, and our record of financial sustainability has created the capacity for targeted investments that have kept TVO at the forefront of digital learning.
At TVO, we are proud of our record of strong financial stewardship that has allowed us to deliver increasing value to Ontarians while our base government funding has remained at or below the previous year’s level for ten consecutive years.
TVO Base Operating Grant
TVO’s base operating grant for the 2020-2021 fiscal year was $38,303,000 (consistent with the previous fiscal year).
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1¢ per day
1¢ per day
Each Ontarian pays just one cent per day for TVO through government funding.
TVO Financial Sustainability
Self-Generated Revenue
As a public agency, TVO is accountable for how we manage our resources. Raising self-generated revenue enables a virtuous cycle where funds raised outside of government are invested to support digital learning and current affairs journalism for the benefit of all Ontarians.
In a March 2020 mandate letter to our Board Chair from the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, the Minister set out his expectations for TVO for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This included a recommendation that TVO continue to develop self-generated revenue, including through philanthropy and sponsorships, the ILC, and other TVO products.
In accordance with the goals set out in our strategic plan and the Minister’s recommendations, TVO continues to build out our self-generated revenue sources, which include our generous donors and corporate sponsors.
TVO ILC Revenue
In 2020-21, TVO ILC continued to be the key growth driver for revenue, with a 60% increase over last year. Our focus continues to be on international market growth. This last year we signed five new affiliate partnership agreements, for a total of 23 in the following 12 markets: China, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Vietnam, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, Libya, and Kenya.
In the coming year, we will continue to expand into new international markets and develop new partnership opportunities to help us scale our funnel of international students to deliver meaningful revenue to TVO.
Philanthropic Revenue
TVO was supported by more than 31,000 donors in 2020-21—their generosity unwavering throughout the pandemic.
This year, we were presented with a unique opportunity when, for the second time, The Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust committed to matching all donations in support of Ontario Hubs up to $500,000. Thousands of donors answered the call, helping us exceed our goal and raise over $1 million for this valuable local journalism initiative.
Our TVO Telethon in October 2020 was another notable fundraising success raising more than $250,000, and TVO’s #GivingTuesday campaign in December 2020 was our most successful ever, raising over $100,000 in just 24 hours.
Corporate Sponsors
Sponsorship continues to be an area of growth, with a 63% increase in revenue. TVO was proud to collaborate with the following 10 corporate sponsors this year:
3M
Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPAO)
CIBC Children’s Foundation
The Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Kidde Canada
Metrolinx
Mirvish
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
The Toronto Dominion Bank (TD)
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31K donors
31K donors
TVO was supported by more than 31,000 donors in 2020-21 – their generosity unwavering throughout the pandemic.
TVO Financial Sustainability
Financial Summary
As a public service agency, TVO is accountable to the government and the people of Ontario for how we manage our finances. Each year, we pursue earned revenues and identify new savings to provide products and services to Ontarians in a fiscally responsible manner.
This year’s operating revenues reflect government operating grants and contracts, ILC fees, and revenue from donations and sponsorships, as well as one-time gifts supporting our Ontario Hubs initiative. Operating expenses show TVO’s investment in strategic priorities such as content and programming, current affairs journalism and online course development.
Operating Revenues
A.
Government operating grants
$38,303
60%
B.
TVO ILC and TVO Mathify Contracts
$9,698
15%
C.
Earned Revenue
$11,973
19%
D.
Government project funding
$3,061
5%
E.
Amortization of deferred capital contributions
$958
1%
All figures in C$000s
Operating Expenditures
A.
Content and Programming
$18,436
30%
B.
Technical and production support services
$15,128
24%
C.
ILC & Mathify contracts
$13,114
21%
D.
Management and general expenses
$5,984
10%
E.
Online course development and technology support
$2,501
4%
F.
Employee future benefits
$521
1%
G.
Cost of other earned revenue
$2,606
4%
H.
Amortization of capital assets and accretion expense
$3,820
6%
All figures in C$000s
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Broadcast Channels
Cable channel 2 (may vary in some areas); Rogers channel 2; Rogers HD channel 580; Bell Fibe TV HD 1209; Bell Fibe TV SD 209; Bell Fibe TV 265; Shaw Direct 155
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