OTTAWA – Canada’s move to take on the presidency of international French-language television network TV5 could prove to be a boon for Canadian content creators.
Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly said Friday that Canada is taking over the presidency of TV5 from Switzerland and will hold it for the next two years, starting in January 2018. Canada will also host the conference of responsible ministers and the annual meeting of senior officials.
Managed by two television channel providers, TV5Monde and TV5 Québec Canada, TV5 is the largest French-language television network in the world. TV5Monde operates TV5 signals worldwide (with the exception of Canada) and reaches 354 million homes in 200 countries and territories, with more than 41 million weekly viewers. TV5 Québec Canada operates the TV5 signal in Canada that reaches more than 10.3 million homes.
In addition to promoting francophonie through its French-language television production, TV5 also promotes the exchange and export of programs between French-speaking countries plus is a special forum for cooperation between broadcasting partners. Canada joined the partnership in 1986 and last held the presidency in 2008–09.
"Canada is proud to take on the presidency of TV5 for the next two years”, said Minister Joly, in a statement. “Promoting the richness, vitality and values of the Francophonie is a priority for the Government of Canada. This partnership allows us to continue to work together to promote the Canadian and international Francophonie, as well as to advance its foreign and development policy priorities."
"We commend the work of the Swiss presidency over the past two years, as well as the work of all the partners in promoting the creativity, originality and diversity that drive French-speakers across the globe”, added TV5 Monde CEO Yves Bigot. “We look forward to continuing this commitment with Canada as it assumes the presidency in 2018 and 2019. We know that its determination will help us and encourage us to continue our development and the discoverability of our shared programs in a digital world that is more competitive than ever and where the reliability of information is a major challenge for all of our societies."
