Louisiana Public Broadcasting Launches French Language Children's Programming with Groupe Média TFO

BATON ROUGE, LA, April 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Louisiana Public Broadcasting, CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana) and Groupe Média TFO (Télévision française de l'Ontario), the leader in French educational content in North America, announced the premiere of French language kids programming on LPB2 for Francophones and future Francophones in Louisiana.  The announcement was made today in the Ellender Room at the Louisiana State Capitol.

Groupe Média TFO (a public educational media enterprise funded by the Ontario Government in Canada) is the premium destination for audiences seeking educational and cultural content in French across Ontario and all of Canada. 

Members of the Acadiana Delegation in the House of Representatives recognized special guests from Groupe Média TFO, including its President and CEO, Glenn O'Farrell.  "We are delighted to be able to contribute to the growth and fulfillment of Louisiana's Francophone communities with this first French-language educational content partnership between Louisiana Public Broadcasting and Groupe Média TFO. By teaming up with Louisiana's public broadcaster to bring our high-quality French-language educational and cultural content to the state's Francophone communities, we are celebrating the presence and the recognition of French in North America."

The award-winning TFO educational content for ages 2-8 year-olds premiered on LPB2 on Monday, April 18, and consists of 14 hours a week of French-language kids programming.  During this initial 18-month partnership children will be able to watch, discover, and learn en français in the comfort of their own homes. This partnership is an international, educational and pioneering initiative that brings French language and cultural based programming to Louisiana.

"We are pleased to offer French-language children's programming from Group Média TFO to complement our award-winning PBS Kids content on LPB2.  This groundbreaking initiative will provide pre-school and school-age children the opportunity to reinforce their French language skills and strengthens our common mission with CODOFIL," said Beth Courtney, President and CEO of Louisiana Public Broadcasting.  

CODOFIL President, Dr. William Arceneaux, who was involved in the negotiations between TFO and LPB, attributed the success of this international initiative to the leadership of CEO Beth Courtney of LPB, and the technical skills and hard work of the programming and engineering staffs of both networks.  Arceneaux observed that "these children's educational programs will provide a powerful, hitherto unavailable instructional tool for our French teachers and a delightful and fun learning experience for our French immersion students." 

LPB's Director of Programming & Content Jason Viso added that this groundbreaking initiative was a shared desire with CODOFIL to expand LPB's ongoing mission to offer one-of-a-kind quality programming to its viewers.  "We are excited about this partnership and believe that Mini TFO and other programs featured in our French language block will be a great addition to LPB's network of channels. Glenn and his team at TFO have been wonderful partners to work with."

CODOFIL's Executive Director Charles Larroque sees the collaboration as another step in preserving Louisiana's French language heritage. "CODOFIL's mission is to spare no efforts to accomplish the development, utilization and preservation of the French language as found in Louisiana," says Larroque. "We work closely with our schools, where nearly 4,500 students go to primary and secondary French immersion programs. We are making history by bringing educational content in French to personal screens. Today, we are writing a new chapter in the revitalization of French in Louisiana - this time among our youngest stakeholders."

About Goupe Média TFO
Groupe Média TFO is a premium destination for audiences seeking educational and cultural content in French. It offers stimulating experiences and award-winning content, always at the forefront of digital learning. TFO serves 2 million students and 30,000 teachers across Ontario and Canada. It operates the number one French-language YouTube Channel in Canada. TFO has received awards and accolades from Austin and Amsterdam (Kidscreen Awards, Gémeaux, Cassies, IBC Awards, SXSW Film Design Awards and more)

About Louisiana Public Broadcasting
Since 1975, Louisiana Public Broadcasting has been the public television network for the state of Louisiana with stations in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. LPB is also affiliated with WLAE-TV in New Orleans. In addition to its award-winning documentaries about the history and people of Louisiana, LPB is dedicated to helping children throughout the state develop their literacy, math and science skills through its numerous educational outreach programs. 

SOURCE Louisiana Public Broadcasting

Video with caption: "Video: Louisiana Public Broadcasting Launches French Language Children’s Programming with Groupe Média TFO". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9CsV1KuZU&feature=youtu.be

Margaret Schlaudecker, LPB, 225-767-4276, [email protected]; Katherine Scherer, LPB, 225-767-4274, [email protected]