CRTC APPROVES FRENCH LANGUAGE CHANNELS
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has approved four new French-language specialty channels including Canal Z, Canal Histoire, Canal Evasion and Canal Fiction. The four new channels will begin broadcasting January 10, 2000 and will form an all-French optional package. "This new package will support the creation and distribution of high quality Canadian programming while placing priority on French-language programming in francophone markets where, over the years, the viewers have clearly demonstrated a preference for programs made for them, in their own language, by Canadians," CRTC chairperson Francoise Bertrand said. Applications for Canal Histoire and Canal Fiction were submitted by Alliance/Atlantis Communications and Les Reseaux Premier Choix. Canal Histoire will broadcast ancient and modern history programming. Canal Fiction will broadcast Canadian and foreign drama programs. Canal Evasion's application was submitted by BCE Inc., TVA, Serdy Direct, Media Overseas and Pathe/Canal Voyage France to broadcast tourism and adventure programs and a licence application for Canal Z was submitted by Radiomutuel, to broadcast programs on science and technology. The four new specialty channel licences supplement the 11-other French-language licences the CRTC has issued since 1987.