OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/27/09 -- The ministers (or their representatives) responsible for TV5 gathered in Ottawa today for their 21st conference, chaired by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, to discuss the growth of TV5 on the international audiovisual front and outline positive steps for the future.

TV5, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, broadcasts French-language programs to nearly 200 countries and territories, 24 hours a day. With a reach of 207 million homes around the world (including nearly 7 million in Canada), this international Francophone network is one of the three largest television networks in the world.

"I am delighted by the productive sessions that took place at this conference to solidify TV5's position and allow it to continue expanding its audience around the world," said Minister Moore. "Canada concludes its two-year term as Chair of the TV5 Conference of Ministers with both a sense of a job well done and deep gratitude toward all our partner governments who have united their efforts and worked diligently to ensure that this multilateral network has the autonomy and funding it needs to support the visibility and promotion of the French language around the world."

During the conference, the ministers (or their representatives) responsible for TV5 from Canada, Quebec, France, Switzerland, and the French Community of Belgium, as well as the representatives from Togo, Burkina Faso, the Conseil international des radios-televisions d'expression francaise, and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, also enthusiastically welcomed the results obtained during the first year of the TV5MONDE four-year (2009-2012) strategic plan. These results were very positive, as shown in the 10-percent increase in the number of homes reached over the past year.

They also highlighted the remarkable evolution of TV5MONDE into a global media outlet that responds to the needs and behaviours of audiences around the world. They also showed a strengthening of the editorial line and the network's new look, which is characterized by a modern look and a strong and distinct personality.

In addition, they marked 20 years of TV5 Quebec Canada and underscored the important progress made with regard to multiplatform distribution. This progress includes the simultaneous launch of its high-definition network and the TV5 Fund for Digital Video Production, which aims to encourage young Canadian talent.

The contributions confirmed by the ministers represent an overall increase in funding for TV5MONDE in 2010. They also agreed on the importance of multi-year funding as part of its strategic plan. They congratulate TV5MONDE on having increased its business income and encourage it to continue its efforts in this direction, as well as those efforts undertaken to increase the number of programs from the entire Francophonie to better reflect the diversity of Francophone cultures throughout the world.

At the close of the Conference, Minister Moore, representing the Government of Canada, officially relinquished the chair to France by symbolically passing the TV5MONDE flag to that country's representative, Louis de Broissia, the Ambassador responsible for foreign radio and television.

Taking part in the 21st Conference were:

- James MOORE, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, CANADA

- Christine ST-PIERRE, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, QUEBEC

- Fadila LAANAN, Minister of Culture, Radio and Television, Health, and Equal Opportunity, FRENCH COMMUNITY OF BELGIUM

- Frederic RIEHL, Secretary of State, SWITZERLAND

- Louis de BROISSIA, Ambassador responsible for foreign radio and television, FRANCE

- Oulegoh KEYEWA, Minister of Communication and Culture, TOGO

- H.E. Juliette BONKOUNGOU, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Canada, BURKINA FASO

- Pierre de COCATRIX, Director of the Office of the Secretary-General of the Francophonie

- Guila THIAM, Secretary-General of the Conseil international des radios-televisions d'expression francaise

- Alain de POUZILHAC, President, TV5MONDE

- Marie-Christine SARAGOSSE, Executive Director, TV5MONDE

- Suzanne GOUIN, President and Executive Director, TV5 Quebec Canada.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.)