OTTAWA – The federal government this week confirmed it will contribute $14.6 million to aid the transition of French language TV channel TV5Monde to digital and increase the international visibility of French-Canadian creators.
The Government of Canada is considered a partner in the channel’s ownership, given CBC’s 6.6% ownership stake.
Sylvain Lafrance, former EVP of French services at CBC, has been appointed chair of the board of directors of TV5Numérique, the new subsidiary of TV5 Québec Canada responsible for supporting the development of this project for TV5Monde.
Starting in 2019/20, the funds will go to support the creation of a new digital platform to broadcast French-language audiovisual products: TV5Monde Plus.
Last October, in preparation for the 17th Francophonie Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, the Government of Canada announced its intention to support the creation of a French-language digital platform that brings together TV5Monde's public broadcasters to showcase Francophone cultures and strengthen their position in the digital world, reminds the press release.
“The Canadian funding for the platform aims not only to increase the online presence of French-language content, but also to enhance the visibility of Canadian content in French and provide new international opportunities for Canadian artists and producers,” reads the release.
“The protection and promotion of the French fact all over the world requires the strong presence of French content in the digital space. By creating a new platform, we're giving our artists and creators broader access to a global audience. TV5Monde already reaches 364 million homes in nearly 200 countries and territories; Canada's financial support will therefore ensure a significant presence for both the Canadian and the international Francophonie within the digital space,” says the quote attributed to Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, Mélanie Joly.
"We will work in the best interest of the Francophonie, in close collaboration with our partners, first and foremost TV5Monde, to develop a modern platform that will enable Francophones and Francophiles around the world to discover the wealth of French-language audiovisual creation,” says the quote from Marie Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO, TV5 Québec Canada.
TV5 is managed by two television channel providers, TV5Monde and TV5 Québec Canada and is the largest French-language television network in the world. In January 2018, Canada took over the presidency of TV5, effective until the end of 2019. This responsibility is assumed in turn by each of the partner states and governments.
Through its nine general interest regional channels and two specialty channels (the TiVi5 children's channel and the TV5Monde Style HD lifestyle channel), TV5Monde reaches 364 million homes in 198 countries. TV5Monde subtitles most of its programs in 14 languages and has also developed a multimedia device to promote the French language and support its learning and teaching through the sites apprendre.tv5monde.com and enseigner.tv5monde.com and their free dedicated apps.
