TV5 - International Francophone Network

• Role of Canadian Heritage
• Canada's involvement in TV5

TV5 is the world's foremost Francophone television network. It broadcasts in more than 203 countries, reaching 164 million households worldwide. Thanks to the concerted efforts and funding provided by five governments (France, Switzerland, French-speaking Community of Belgium, Canada and the Government of Quebec), the TV5 international French-language television network has experienced remarkable growth since its beginnings in 1984. The Ivory Coast, Senegal and Cameroon act as government partners within TV5. The network is managed by two operators: TV5 Monde, in Paris, which manages the signal over Europe, Africa, Asia, the United States, Latin America, and the Orient, and TV5 Québec Canada, in Montreal, manages the Québec Canada signal.

In 1988, only one year after the 1987 Francophonie Summit held in Quebec City, TV5 Québec Canada was launched. It is available on nearly all cable networks, reaching 6.4 million households with cable, which represents a penetration rate of 97% of Quebec subscribers and 79% of the subscribers for the whole country.

Moreover, the International Council of French-Speaking Radio and Television (CIRTEF-Conseil international des radios-télévisions d'expression française) (only available in French), launched under the leadership of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Télé-Québec, is a professional association of public broadcasters. The aim of this organization is to establish open dialogue between broadcasting agencies and to promote the role of radio and television as an engine for development. It is made up of three Commissions for training, radio and television. CIRTEF manages a bank of television programs including mainly, broadcasts produced by organisations of the South which are made available to TV5. CIRTEF also represents the African televisions at the Programs Committee of TV5 Monde.

Role of Canadian Heritage

The Deparment of Canadian Heritage, through the International Francophonie Directorate (IFD), is responsible for managing Canada's involvement in TV5 and for acting as a contact point for its various operators.

Canada's involvement in TV5

Canada's involvement in TV5 enables Francophone Canadian artists and producers to benefit from a privileged global showcase. Several Canadian programs are broadcast on the network: Le téléjournal de Radio-Canada, Découverte, Culture choc, La semaine verte, Griffe..., etc. Moreover, Canada's contribution to TV5 makes it possible to offer all Canadians an additional French-language channel as well as a cross-section of the International Francophonie. Furthermore, the multilateral nature of the network promotes airing of African productions and ensures program diversity. In this sense, Canada, through its involvement, is contributing to emerging productions from countries of the southern hemisphere.