MONTREAL – Bell and Cirque du Soleil said Tuesday that they are teaming up on a new company designed to develop Quebec-based media content for television, film, digital, and gaming platforms.
Headquartered in Montreal, the company will combine Cirque du Soleil’s existing TV productions and content, including the upcoming 3D feature film Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away, with Bell Media’s production experience, media platforms, and distribution capabilities. The resulting entertainment projects will be available for sale and licensing to both Canadian and international markets.
Bell said that the new venture builds on its strategy to invest in Quebec media and French-language content, led by its upcoming acquisition of Astral Media. It recently committed an additional $80 million in new funding for French-language content development in Quebec should that deal be approved.
“Bell’s multi-million dollar investment with Cirque du Soleil represents two great Montréal companies coming together to further develop Québec’s world-renowned creative industry,” said president and CEO George Cope, in the announcement. “Working closely with Cirque du Soleil aligns perfectly with Bell’s commitment to make Québec’s best content available to as wide an audience as possible.”
“Cirque du Soleil has always put creative forces from Québec in the forefront. Like Bell joining with Astral, this commitment to invest in Québec content and job creation benefits not only consumers but the broader Québec creative and media industry as well,” added Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil.
The partnership will be governed by a board of directors including representatives from both Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media, and managed by a programming team with input from both partners.
