Television of Quebec
Encyclopedia
Television in Quebec is an essential part of the culture of Quebec
, as well as the rest of French Canada
. With over 99% of households owning a television in Quebec, it has the power to reach every Quebecer. Long a preferred medium of many of Quebec's actors, artists, and writers, television has been one of the important forces in Quebec society, including its substantial influence in a series of dramatic changes in the 1960s: the Quiet Revolution
.
, la télévision québécoise has little relationship to its gallic cousin; it's decidedly North American in its approach
: a 30-minute programming grid, commercials, local stations, along with the distinction between broadcast television formed around networks of stations—which is freely available to anyone with a TV within their broadcast area—and cable television channels—which requires a subscription to receive.
, TVA
, V and Télé-Québec
. All four networks air, with the exception of local advertising and a small amount of local programming, identical schedules throughout Quebec, with the network signals being essentially the output of their Montreal flagships. Local stations affiliated with the networks are located in each of the 10 television markets of Quebec: Montreal
, Quebec City
, Gatineau
–Ottawa
, Sherbrooke, Saguenay
, Trois-Rivières
, Rivière-du-Loup, Rimouski, Abitibi-Témiscamingue
, and Carleton-sur-Mer
.
TVA is by far the most watched network: in Fall 2006, it held 28% of the Quebec francophone primetime television audience, compared to Radio-Canada's 19% and V's 14%.
Given the predominantly French-speaking population, only CBC
, the English-language television service funded by the government of Canada, is available over the air throughout the province. In Montreal and Gatineau, affiliates of CTV
have transmitters; in those two cities as well as Quebec City and Sherbrooke, Global
is available over-the-air.
Vidéotron
and Cogeco
are the largest cable companies in Quebec, although a large number of independent cable companies exist. These compete against satellite companies Bell TV and Shaw Direct; IPTV
services, such at those provided by Telus
in their service area; and microwave services.
Today, there are more than two-dozen Quebec cable networks, ranging from sports (RDS
), to children's programming (VRAK.TV
). With cable television, American networks, which were previous only available in cities near the border of the United States, are available throughout Quebec.
Nearly all television is owned by five companies: the federally-owned Société Radio-Canada
, Groupe TVA, Astral Media
, Remstar, and the provincially-owned Société de télédiffusion du Québec
. These companies produce programming themselves or, more commonly, by independent producers. Tax breaks provided to independent producers have increased their workload, although the two largest networks produce a large amount of programming themselves.
Television production is centered in Montreal, where Radio-Canada and TVA have their large studio complexes and where most other independent studio facilities exist. A small amount of national programming is produced in Quebec City, in accordance with the licenses of the broadcast networks.
in Montreal
, the first station in what would become Radio-Canada's television network. Borrowing the technical standards and frequency plan from television in the United States, the station broadcast on the lowest channel, channel 2. Though initially bilingual, carrying programming from sister broadcaster CBC
as well, the network would hold a monopoly on French-language television during all of the 1950s.
This "golden age" would end with a producers' strike at Radio-Canada in December 1958. The strike would led one popular television host, René Lévesque
, to launch a career in politics, one that would led him to found the Parti Québécois
and, later, nine-years as the Premier of Quebec
.
In 1961, Télé-Métropole
in Montreal signed on the air with decidedly populist programming. Known as le 10 for its channel number, it was first private French-language television broadcaster, the station would become the backbone of what is now the largest and highest-rated network in Quebec. In 1971, the network was formalized and given a name: TVA. By the early 1980s, its broadcast coverage reached nearly the entire province.
Color began to be introduced in the 1960s, and by the end of the decade, unique cable television programming began with the introduction of télévision communautaire, the community channel.
Radio-Québec
, now Télé-Québec, began in 1972, creating a third network, focusing on cultural and educational programming; first, its programming only appeared on a cable, three years later, in began broadcasting's on Montreal's first UHF station.
In the following years, additional Quebec cable networks appeared: TVSQ, covering sports, and surpassed in 1988 by RDS
; TVJQ, with children's programming, later becoming Le Canal Famille, and now VRAK.TV
; the TEQ, carrying an assortment of ethic programming, and now CJNT-TV
; and TVFQ-99, now TV5 Québec Canada.
In 1986, Télévision Quatre-Saison, now V, launched as the newest television network, and the first to be distributed by satellite. With stations in Montreal and Quebec City, its reach was extended with partnerships with Radio-Canada affiliates elsewhere in the province, creating what is known as a twinstick
.
At the same time, expansion of the number of cable channels continued: MusiquePlus
in 1986; MétéoMédia
in 1987; Réseau de l'information
and Canal D
in 1995; MusiMax
, Canal Vie
, Télétoon
, and Le Canal Nouvelles
in 1997; Évasion
, Historia
, Séries+
and Canal Z, now Ztélé
, in 2000; and ARTV
in 2001.
In the middle of the decade, as the growth of digital cable expanded, digital-only cable cannels began to appear; today they included such channels as Mystère
, Argent, Réseau Info-Sports, Prise 2
, Cinépop
, Les idées de ma maison
, and Télétoon Rétro
.
Culture of Quebec
The Culture of Quebec emerged over the last few hundred years, resulting from the shared history of the French-speaking majority in Quebec. It is unique to the Western World; Quebec is the only region in North America with a French-speaking majority, as well as one of only two provinces in Canada...
, as well as the rest of French Canada
French Canada
French Canada, also known as "Lower Canada", is a term to distinguish the French Canadian population of Canada from English Canada.-Definition:...
. With over 99% of households owning a television in Quebec, it has the power to reach every Quebecer. Long a preferred medium of many of Quebec's actors, artists, and writers, television has been one of the important forces in Quebec society, including its substantial influence in a series of dramatic changes in the 1960s: the Quiet Revolution
Quiet Revolution
The Quiet Revolution was the 1960s period of intense change in Quebec, Canada, characterized by the rapid and effective secularization of society, the creation of a welfare state and a re-alignment of politics into federalist and separatist factions...
.
Types of Television
Although broadcast in FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, la télévision québécoise has little relationship to its gallic cousin; it's decidedly North American in its approach
Television in the United States
Television is one of the major mass media of the United States. Ninety-nine percent of American households have at least one television and the majority of households have more than one...
: a 30-minute programming grid, commercials, local stations, along with the distinction between broadcast television formed around networks of stations—which is freely available to anyone with a TV within their broadcast area—and cable television channels—which requires a subscription to receive.
Broadcast television
The four major broadcast television networks in Quebec are Radio-CanadaTélévision de Radio-Canada
Télévision de Radio-Canada is a Canadian French language television network. It is owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, known in French as Société Radio-Canada. Headquarters are at Maison Radio-Canada in Montreal, which is also home to the network's flagship station, CBFT-DT...
, TVA
TVA (TV network)
TVA is a privately owned French language television network in Canada. The network is currently owned by Groupe TVA Inc. , a publicly traded subsidiary of Quebecor Media...
, V and Télé-Québec
Télé-Québec
Télé-Québec is a French language public educational television network in the Canadian province of Quebec. Known legally as Société de télédiffusion du Québec , it is a provincial crown corporation owned by the Government of Quebec...
. All four networks air, with the exception of local advertising and a small amount of local programming, identical schedules throughout Quebec, with the network signals being essentially the output of their Montreal flagships. Local stations affiliated with the networks are located in each of the 10 television markets of Quebec: Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
–Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Sherbrooke, Saguenay
Saguenay, Quebec
Saguenay is a city in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, on the Saguenay River, about north of Quebec City....
, Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
, Rivière-du-Loup, Rimouski, Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a region located in western Quebec, Canada, along the border with Ontario. It became part of the province in 1898. It has a land area of 57,674.26 km2 . As of the 2006 census, the population of the region was 143,872 inhabitants.-History:The land was first occupied...
, and Carleton-sur-Mer
Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec
Carleton-sur-Mer is the fifth largest town of the Gaspésie's south shore, in southeastern Quebec, located on route 132, along Baie des Chaleurs.- Culture :* attracts over 20,000 spectators to see local and international artists...
.
TVA is by far the most watched network: in Fall 2006, it held 28% of the Quebec francophone primetime television audience, compared to Radio-Canada's 19% and V's 14%.
Given the predominantly French-speaking population, only CBC
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
, the English-language television service funded by the government of Canada, is available over the air throughout the province. In Montreal and Gatineau, affiliates of CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
have transmitters; in those two cities as well as Quebec City and Sherbrooke, Global
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
is available over-the-air.
Cable television
Quebec has the lowest cable television-satellite television penetration rates in Canada, with 85.7% of Quebecers having cable television, as of 2006.Vidéotron
Vidéotron
Vidéotron GP is a Canadian integrated telecommunications company active in cable television, interactive multimedia development, video on demand, cable telephony, wireless communication and Internet access services. Currently, the company primarily serves Quebec, as well as the francophone...
and Cogeco
Cogeco
Cogeco Inc. is a Canadian media and communications company. The name is an acronym for Compagnie Générale de Communication .-History:...
are the largest cable companies in Quebec, although a large number of independent cable companies exist. These compete against satellite companies Bell TV and Shaw Direct; IPTV
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
services, such at those provided by Telus
TELUS
Telus is a national telecommunications company in Canada that provides a wide range of telecommunications products and services including internet access, voice, entertainment, video, and satellite television. The company is based in Burnaby, British Columbia, part of Greater Vancouver...
in their service area; and microwave services.
Today, there are more than two-dozen Quebec cable networks, ranging from sports (RDS
Réseau des sports
Réseau des sports , is a Canadian French language Category C specialty channel showing sports and sport-related shows. It is available in 2.5 million homes, and is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc....
), to children's programming (VRAK.TV
VRAK.TV
VRAK.TV is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel aimed at youth audiences. VRAK.TV is currently owned by Astral Media.-History:...
). With cable television, American networks, which were previous only available in cities near the border of the United States, are available throughout Quebec.
The Industry
There are two primary television seasons of approximately 13 weeks each: a fall season running from the beginning of September to December, and a winter season running from January to April. It is during these two periods that the majority of new domestic series air.Nearly all television is owned by five companies: the federally-owned Société Radio-Canada
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
, Groupe TVA, Astral Media
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
, Remstar, and the provincially-owned Société de télédiffusion du Québec
Télé-Québec
Télé-Québec is a French language public educational television network in the Canadian province of Quebec. Known legally as Société de télédiffusion du Québec , it is a provincial crown corporation owned by the Government of Quebec...
. These companies produce programming themselves or, more commonly, by independent producers. Tax breaks provided to independent producers have increased their workload, although the two largest networks produce a large amount of programming themselves.
Television production is centered in Montreal, where Radio-Canada and TVA have their large studio complexes and where most other independent studio facilities exist. A small amount of national programming is produced in Quebec City, in accordance with the licenses of the broadcast networks.
History
Television began in Quebec (and in Canada) on September 6, 1952 with the launch of CBFTCBFT
CBFT is the flagship station of Télévision de Radio-Canada, the French language television network of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Its studios and master control are located at Maison Radio-Canada in Montreal....
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, the first station in what would become Radio-Canada's television network. Borrowing the technical standards and frequency plan from television in the United States, the station broadcast on the lowest channel, channel 2. Though initially bilingual, carrying programming from sister broadcaster CBC
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
as well, the network would hold a monopoly on French-language television during all of the 1950s.
This "golden age" would end with a producers' strike at Radio-Canada in December 1958. The strike would led one popular television host, René Lévesque
René Lévesque
René Lévesque was a reporter, a minister of the government of Quebec, , the founder of the Parti Québécois political party and the 23rd Premier of Quebec...
, to launch a career in politics, one that would led him to found the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
and, later, nine-years as the Premier of Quebec
Premier of Quebec
The Premier of Quebec is the first minister of the Canadian province of Quebec. The Premier is the province's head of government and his title is Premier and President of the Executive Council....
.
In 1961, Télé-Métropole
CFTM-TV
CFTM-DT channel 10, is the flagship of the TVA television network, located in Montreal, Quebec.-History:It opened on February 19, 1961, a few weeks after CFCF-TV went on the air for the first time. It was owned by Joseph Alexandre DeSève and his company, Télé-Métropole...
in Montreal signed on the air with decidedly populist programming. Known as le 10 for its channel number, it was first private French-language television broadcaster, the station would become the backbone of what is now the largest and highest-rated network in Quebec. In 1971, the network was formalized and given a name: TVA. By the early 1980s, its broadcast coverage reached nearly the entire province.
Color began to be introduced in the 1960s, and by the end of the decade, unique cable television programming began with the introduction of télévision communautaire, the community channel.
Radio-Québec
Télé-Québec
Télé-Québec is a French language public educational television network in the Canadian province of Quebec. Known legally as Société de télédiffusion du Québec , it is a provincial crown corporation owned by the Government of Quebec...
, now Télé-Québec, began in 1972, creating a third network, focusing on cultural and educational programming; first, its programming only appeared on a cable, three years later, in began broadcasting's on Montreal's first UHF station.
In the following years, additional Quebec cable networks appeared: TVSQ, covering sports, and surpassed in 1988 by RDS
Réseau des sports
Réseau des sports , is a Canadian French language Category C specialty channel showing sports and sport-related shows. It is available in 2.5 million homes, and is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc....
; TVJQ, with children's programming, later becoming Le Canal Famille, and now VRAK.TV
VRAK.TV
VRAK.TV is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel aimed at youth audiences. VRAK.TV is currently owned by Astral Media.-History:...
; the TEQ, carrying an assortment of ethic programming, and now CJNT-TV
CJNT-TV
CJNT-DT is a Canadian multicultural television station in Montreal, Quebec. The station is owned and operated by Channel Zero and uses the on-air brand Metro 14.-History:...
; and TVFQ-99, now TV5 Québec Canada.
In 1986, Télévision Quatre-Saison, now V, launched as the newest television network, and the first to be distributed by satellite. With stations in Montreal and Quebec City, its reach was extended with partnerships with Radio-Canada affiliates elsewhere in the province, creating what is known as a twinstick
Twinstick
A twinstick, in Canadian broadcasting, is a term for two television stations, broadcasting in the same market, which are owned by the same company...
.
At the same time, expansion of the number of cable channels continued: MusiquePlus
MusiquePlus
MusiquePlus is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media operating from Montreal, Quebec.MusiquePlus is devoted to music and music related programming from various genres including pop, rock, RnB and focuses on a younger demographic than its sister station, MusiMax...
in 1986; MétéoMédia
MétéoMédia
MétéoMédia is a 24-hour Canadian French language Category A specialty channel and web site, which provides weather information 24 hours a day. It primarily serves viewers in Quebec, although some cable TV systems in Ontario and New Brunswick carry the channel as well. It is available nation-wide...
in 1987; Réseau de l'information
Réseau de l'information
Réseau de l'information is a Canadian French language Category C news channel operated by CBC/Radio-Canada. RDI began broadcasting on January 1, 1995, and is considered the French-language equivalent of the CBC News Network, also owned by the CBC....
and Canal D
Canal D
Canal D is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media. Canal D focuses on documentary programming primarily in the form of documentary-style television series that focus on a variety of topics such as crime, biographies, nature, science, and more.-History:In June...
in 1995; MusiMax
MusiMax
MusiMax is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media operating out of Montreal, Quebec.MusiMax is devoted to music and music related programming focusing more on adult contemporary, soft-rock, classic rock and lighter music than its sister station, MusiquePlus...
, Canal Vie
Canal Vie
Canal Vie is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media. Canal Vie airs lifestyle and entertainment programs aimed at women in the form of talk shows, documentaries, reality TV series, films, and more...
, Télétoon
Télétoon (Canadian TV channel)
Télétoon is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel that specializes in animation programming. Télétoon is owned by Teletoon Canada Inc; a 50/50 partnership between Astral Media and Corus Entertainment...
, and Le Canal Nouvelles
Le Canal Nouvelles
Le Canal Nouvelles is a Canadian French language Category C 24 hour headline news specialty channel owned by Groupe TVA, a division of Quebecor Media...
in 1997; Évasion
Evasion
Evasion may refer to:*Évasion, a Canadian French-language travel and adventure television channel*Evasion , a deceptive act*Evasion , to avoid government mandate through specious means...
, Historia
Historia
Historia is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel which presents informative and entertainment programming related to history in the form of dramas, films, documentaries, human interests programs and more...
, Séries+
Séries+
Séries+ is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel devoted to scripted comedy and dramatic programming. The channel is a joint venture between Astral Media and Shaw Media.-History:...
and Canal Z, now Ztélé
Ztélé
Ztélé is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media. Ztélé focuses on programming primarily from the science fiction, fantasy, and technology genres consisting of dramas, films, documentaries, and more.-History:...
, in 2000; and ARTV
ARTV
ARTV is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel specializing in the arts and culture; including music, dance, theatre, visual arts as well as films and scripted television series.-History:...
in 2001.
In the middle of the decade, as the growth of digital cable expanded, digital-only cable cannels began to appear; today they included such channels as Mystère
Mystère
Mystère may refer to:* Dassault Mystère, a French fighter-bomber* Martin Mystère, a fictional character* Mystère , a production show* Mystère , a Canadian manufacturer of multihulls* Mystère , a 1983 thriller film...
, Argent, Réseau Info-Sports, Prise 2
Prise 2
Prise 2 is a Canadian French language Category B specialty channel with programming featuring television series and films mainly from Quebec and the United States from 25 years ago. It is owned by Groupe TVA, a division of Quebecor Media. The channel launched on February 9, 2006....
, Cinépop
Cinépop
Cinépop is a Canadian French language Category B premium television channel. It presents classic films from the 1950s to today. It is owned by Astral Media....
, Les idées de ma maison
Les idées de ma maison
Les idées de ma maison may refer to one of two media properties owned by Groupe TVA:*Les idées de ma maison , a Canadian French language shelter magazine...
, and Télétoon Rétro
Télétoon Rétro
Télétoon Rétro is a Canadian French language Category B specialty channel. It is based on the Télétoon programming block, Télétoon Rétro. The service consists of animation series from Canada and around the world, all of which commenced production at least 10 years prior to their exhibition...
.
See also
- List of Quebec television channels
- List of Quebec television series
- List of Quebec media
- Culture of QuebecCulture of QuebecThe Culture of Quebec emerged over the last few hundred years, resulting from the shared history of the French-speaking majority in Quebec. It is unique to the Western World; Quebec is the only region in North America with a French-speaking majority, as well as one of only two provinces in Canada...