Bell Media Announces Agreement with the Alliance des Producteurs Francophones du Canada

– Agreement provides concrete action to support independent Canadian French-language productions –

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MONTREAL, May 27, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell Media announced today the signing of an agreement with the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC). This five-year renewable agreement is the first of its kind between a Canadian broadcaster and the APFC, and results from Bell Media's passionate commitment to support Canadian production and artists and creators.

Concluded specifically for Bell Media's French-language specialty and pay television services, this unprecedented partnership details the general principles of a trade agreement that aims to significantly reduce the administrative and legal costs of transactions between Bell Media and independent producers and streamline the process for independent production companies.

"This agreement clearly demonstrates Bell Media's commitment to highlight independent French-language productions and allow Francophone consumers to enjoy the talent, creativity, and ingenuity of Canadian creators," said Charles Benoît, President, Television and Radio – Québec, Bell Media. "The establishment of general principles for trade agreements will facilitate market access for these productions and allow us to offer more diversified quality programming, to the benefit of the entire industry."

This initiative is part of Bell's commitment – within the framework of its acquisition of Astral – to invest $246.9 million in new benefits to develop English- and French-language television, radio and film content, support emerging musical talent, promote the development of media industry professionals and create initiatives to increase consumer involvement.

About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and build brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network; 35 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 106 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 9,500 advertising faces in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including CTV GO, TMN GO and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

Image with caption: "Charles Benoît, President, Television and Radio - Québec, Bell Media, with Natalie McNeil, Executive Director, Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada. (CNW Group/Bell Media)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140527_C3338_PHOTO_EN_2291.jpg

SOURCE: Bell Media

Olivier Racette, Bell Media, 514.939.5001 x3193 or [email protected]