MUMBAI: Radio-Canada and France T?l?visions Distribution have signed an agreement that will help increase worldwide exposure for their content.

Under the terms of this strategic agreement, the partners will ensure distribution of each other?s educational catalogues.

France T?l?visions Distribution (FTD) will be authorised to
distribute and commercially exploit the educational programmes, documentaries and news reports from the Radio-Canada catalogue in Europe, French-speaking Africa and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), made up of 15 former Soviet republics.

The partnership also includes use of Radio-Canada formats. The initial two-year agreement may be renewed by the partners.

CBC/Radio-Canada French Services Revenue Group senior executive director Robert Trempe said, ?Driven by their desire to enrich the cultural and democratic life of communities, public broadcasters are natural partners. Radio-Canada is pleased to be able to draw on France T?l?visions Distribution?s expertise and international presence to expand the audience for Canadian productions.?

Over 30 hours of FTD-distributed programming will now be available for a three-year period on TOU.TV,Radio-Canada?s VOD platform. Canadians will have online access to content including reports from the 2009 and 2010 seasons of the remarkable programme Thalassa, produced by France3,
and the documentary Marilyn: Dernieres Seances by Patrick Jeudy, based on Michel Schneider?s bestseller.

Radio-Canada executive director of Internet and Digital Services Genevi?ve Rossier said, ?TOU.TV is North America?s largest French-language entertainment Web TV site. It features over 2,000 hours of on-demand video content and has racked up over 50 million video views since its launch. A growing audience can now enjoy prestigious documentary programming from the France T?l?visions Distribution catalogue.?

France T?l?visions Distribution CEO Yann Chapellon said, ?This outstanding agreement enables France T?l?visions Distribution to expand the digital presence of its catalogues on innovative platforms such as TOU.TV. At the same time, our expertise in international sales will help showcase the high-quality educational formats and programming provided by Radio-Canada.?