TORONTO – A new YouTube channel backed by the Canadian audiovisual industry is serving up classic Cancon in both official languages.
Launched Tuesday from Google Canada’s offices, Encore+ is now offering over 300 videos across 100 award-winning feature films and television series, including comedies, dramas, children’s and youth shows, documentaries and short films. New titles will be added every week as part of an ongoing editorial calendar, including a number of Canadian feature films premiering in newly re-mastered versions.
Encore+ is spearheaded by the Canada Media Fund (CMF) with support from Google Canada, Bell Media, BroadbandTV (BBTV), and Deluxe Toronto. Telefilm Canada is also a key partner in this endeavor, providing financial and promotional support. Through this industry-wide effort, the presenting partners also seek to ensure that rights holders and Canadian creators are the first to benefit from views of their works on YouTube, as well as test new business models for catalogue content, reads the news release.
Managed by BBTV, Encore+ seeks to generate worldwide exposure and stimulate demand for Canadian content and talent, particularly from young audiences who access media primarily via mobile devices. Its non-exclusive approach is designed to complement the offerings of Canadian stakeholders already active in online distribution.
“Providing access to this content celebrates the work of many Canadians both on- and off-screen, some of which started their careers in content now made accessible through Encore+”, said CMF president and CEO Valerie Creighton, in the release. “Through this initiative, beloved stories are given back to audiences by creating an online hub that showcases and celebrates iconic Canadian films, television and talent. I would like to give a warm and special thanks to all Canadian creators, producers, distributors, broadcasters, producers associations, unions and guilds that facilitated access to the stellar content available on Encore+.”
For a sneak peek at some of the titles available on Encore+, view the trailer by clicking here.
