Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec, first French-language media in Canada to Launch Instant Articles on Facebook

Facebook's Instant Articles: a new media-specific functionality

MONTREAL, Dec. 16, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec are pleased to announce that they will be the first French-language media in Canada to publish on Instant Articles, a new Facebook program specifically designed for the media industry. With this partnership, both newspapers will bolster their presence on social media.

Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec now reach out more than 500,000 fans on this social network, giving readers access to complete content on their mobile devices without leaving Facebook. In addition to providing users with an interactive universe and opportunities to respond to news and current affairs, Instant Articles presents content that can be loaded much faster than other Facebook content.

"This partnership with Facebook confirms our position as a social network leader in the Quebec media sector. Our strategy targets readers wherever they are with optimal content and experience on the platforms of their choice," states Mathieu Turbide, Director, Digital Content, Newspapers of Quebecor Media Group.

"Expanding Instant Articles to Canada, starting with Le Journal de Montreal and Le Journal de Québec, which are going live today, along with additional partners that have signed on and will begin publishing soon, is a significant milestone for the product," says Andy Mitchell, Director, Global Media Partnerships, Facebook. "Instant Articles has been designed with extensive feedback from publishers, and we're excited to bring this collaboration to our publishing partners in Canada to help them distribute fast, interactive articles to their readers in the Facebook app."

It is worth noting that 62% of adults in Quebec use Facebook, making this social network the most popular of its kind in the province¹. As a result, this partnership is an outstanding opportunity for Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec to increase their visibility and further showcase their brand.

Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec web sites are now totally free of charge

Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec would also like to announce that their readers now have unlimited access, free of charge, to all their web site content. In accordance with the dailies' business model, which embraces both print and digital platforms, their web sites provide readers with unrestricted access to news in real time on their computers, tablets, and smart phones.

While some content was previously exclusive to VIP subscribers, it is now possible for any reader to browse through all our articles freely on our web sites as well as on our J5 application. Free and unlimited access to content is designed to promote further sharing of news and information on social networks for everyone's benefit. Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec web sites have recorded the strongest growth in Quebec for more than a year, especially on mobile devices.

¹Source: CEFRIO, 2015 NETrends study

About Quebecor Media Group newspapers
Quebecor Media Group newspapers include Le Journal de Montréal, Le Journal de Québec and 24 Heures, which are available in print and electronic versions. In addition, Quebecor Media Group newspapers provide readers with the option of reading content on various digital platforms, including web sites (journaldemontreal.com, journaldequebec.com, and journaldemontreal.com/24heures) and the free customizable J5 mobile app from Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec.

SOURCE Quebecor Media Group

Véronique Mercier, Vice-President, Communications, Quebecor Media Group & Groupe TVA inc., C. 438-390-0876, [email protected]