Rules & Resources
Newspaper Support Center

Home-Delivery Promotions Guidebook—Canadian Newspapers

Frequency Conversions (Upgrades)

A frequency conversion (upgrade) is defined as an increase in a current subscriber’s frequency of delivery. This means increasing the number of days in a week the subscriber receives the newspaper. There are two types of upgrades:

  • Forced conversion
  • Frequency upgrade

Note: The expiration date of the subscription should not be extended as the result of a conversion unless it is done in conjunction with renewal or billing efforts where the consumer is contracting for a new, extended term.

Qualification

Forced Conversions
A forced conversion is when the newspaper is eliminating a subscriber’s current frequency of delivery and needs to begin service of a new frequency as a replacement. By eliminating the frequency, the newspaper is forcing the subscriber to receive a new upgraded frequency. For all the copies distributed as a result of the forced conversion, the following is required:

  • A frequency may be eliminated for one or multiple ABC zones. However, the frequency must be eliminated throughout an entire zone.
  • After the date the frequency is eliminated, no subscriber may remain on the eliminated frequency for any reason.
  • The former frequency must not be reinstated for a period of at least three months.
  • All subscribers having their frequency eliminated must be notified of the change.
  • The notification may not state that any of the additional days of delivery are free, no additional cost, no extra charge, bonus, or other synonymous language. Rather, it should state the additional days are included with the cost of the current paid subscription.
  • See Rule C 25.13 Subscription Offer Based on Acceptance Unless Declined.

Frequency Upgrades (updated 7/28/08)
A frequency upgrade is when the newspaper is not eliminating a subscriber’s frequency, but wishes to service subscribers at a greater frequency. For all copies distributed as a result of the frequency upgrade, the following is required:

  • Notice of a change in frequency must be sent to the affected subscribers prior to the start of the upgraded service.
  • The notice must offer the subscriber an opportunity to opt-out and provide clear and simple instructions on how to do so.
  • The notice to the subscriber may not state that any of the additional days of delivery are free, no additional cost, no extra charge, bonus, or other synonymous language. Rather, it should state the additional days are included with the cost of the current paid subscription.

Pricing

The amount of money originally paid by the subscriber must equal no less than one cent.

Promotional Material

For a forced conversion, all notifications to the subscriber must:
  • State the current frequency has been eliminated and identify the new frequency that will be delivered.
  • Identify the date the frequency change is effective.
  • Exclude any reference to the additional days of delivery as being free, no additional cost, bonus, or other synonymous language. Rather, it should state that the additional days are included with the cost of the current paid subscription.
For a frequency upgrade, the promotional material must:
  • State the new frequency that will be served.
  • Contain a clear and conspicuous notice informing subscribers they can opt-out of this upgraded delivery.
  • Provide clear and simple instructions on how to opt-out.
  • Exclude any reference to the additional days of delivery as being free, no additional cost, bonus, or other synonymous language. Rather, it should state that the additional days are included with the cost of the current paid subscription.

Examples—Frequency Conversions (Upgrades)

Reporting

Circulation generated as a result of forced conversions and frequency upgrades is classified as "Home Delivery - Frequency Conversion" on ABC documents.

Canadian Publisher's Statements delineate between circulation sold at 50 percent or more of basic prices and circulation sold at less than 50 percent of basic prices.

The price classification for upgraded subscription circulation is based on the amount the subscriber originally paid for their current subscription as compared to the basic prices for the new frequency of delivery.

  • If the original amount paid for the subscription is 50 percent or more of basic prices for the upgraded frequency, the circulation is included in Paragraph 1A.
  • If the original amount paid for the subscription is less than 50 percent of basic prices for the upgraded frequency, the circulation is included in Paragraph 1B, with further disclosure in Paragraph 1G.

In Paragraph 2, the circulation is classified in the proper reporting zone based on where the copies are delivered to the subscriber.

Paragraph 8 will disclose the following details for each conversion effort: the former frequency, the new frequency, the number of subscribers converted, the impact on paid circulation, the effective date of the change, and the ABC zone(s) in which the conversion occurred.


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