OTTAWA, November 27, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, concluded the Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5, held in Ottawa yesterday and today, with a review of Canada's achievements during its two-year term as Conference chair. He also took the opportunity to reaffirm the Government of Canada's commitment to increasing funding to TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada.
"It has been my pleasure to represent Canada as chair of the 21st Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5," said Minister Moore. "This meeting gave the TV5 partners an overview of the significant progress made during our two years as chair, notably the adoption of the new TV5 Charter and the commitment to increased financial support by Canada and its partners. As a result, Canadian viewers will continue to enjoy the best of what the international Francophonie has to offer, while Francophones and Francophiles around the world will continue to discover Canada's talented artists."
Signed by all the partner governments and the two operators, the new TV5 Charter recognizes the independence of TV5MONDE as a multilateral network and allows for increased and more equitable funding from the partner governments. It also provides for a gradual increase over the next few years in the number and range of TV5MONDE broadcasts from the Francophonie and strengthens the links between TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada, the TV5 network's two operators.
"Canada wanted to show the way by being the first partner government to announce an additional contribution of $25 million over five years to TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada," added Minister Moore. "This investment addresses Prime Minister Harper's announcement at the 2008 Francophonie Summit in Québec City and demonstrates Canada's commitment to TV5 and to increasing the visibility of Francophone culture around the world."
Thanks to this investment, the network's two operators will be better equipped to keep abreast of new and emerging technologies, hone their competitive edge, and reach a wider audience. In the last year, TV5MONDE has posted some important achievements, including launching its Web-based children's television, while TV5 Québec Canada launched its high-definition network in June 2009.
TV5, the world's first French-language international television network, is the product of a partnership forged more than 20 years ago by five governments from the Francophonie: Canada, Quebec, France, Switzerland, and the French Community of Belgium.
Canada chaired the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5. Its term as chair expires in January 2010.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
TV5 is the world's leading French-language television network. This international network reaches 207 million households worldwide, including nearly 7 million in Canada. It broadcasts French-language programs to nearly 200 countries, contributing to the vitality and visibility of the French language.
TV5 is managed by two operators. TV5MONDE, located in Paris, manages a network of nine signals broadcasting French language programs 24 hours a day to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States.
TV5 Québec Canada, located in Montréal, manages the signal in Canada. It broadcasts a minimum of 15 percent Canadian content, including shows produced by Francophones from official-language minority communities.
The additional funding provided by the Government of Canada will allow TV5 Québec Canada to maintain its competitive edge in a multiplatform broadcasting environment. TV5 Québec Canada marked its 20th anniversary this year with the launch of its high-definition network and the TV5 Digital Creation Fund, which aims to support young Francophone talent across the country.
TV5MONDE, established in 1984, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with major initiatives to increase its audience, strengthen its worldwide distribution network, and devote more air time to programs from the international Francophonie. The network's notable achievements in the past year include splitting its signals in Africa and Asia (bringing the total number of signals to nine), launching a Web-based children's television network, and significantly increasing its video-on-demand offerings.
TV5MONDE provides a unique international showcase for Canada's Francophone artists and producers. Programs such as À la di Stasio, 3 600 secondes d'extase, En direct de l'univers, and Découverte, for example, can reach new viewers in millions of households on five continents.
The TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada networks are leaders in the global television marketplace, and they contribute to the vitality and visibility of the French language in Canada and around the world.
