Unis, Canada’s new Francophone TV channel, has unveiled its programming at Toronto’s Gardiner Museum.
During this event, Unis presented its flagship programs and main headliners. The opening gala recorded in Winnipeg, unveiling the channel’s programming, was presented. The latter, which will be broadcasted September 1, will mark the official broadcasting debut of Unis all across Canada.
“Today, we are very proud to be in Toronto to finally unveil the result of several months of labor accomplished by people all over Canada,” said Suzanne Gouin, Chief Executive Officer of TV5 Québec Canada. “Unis offers a programming of the highest quality that aims at providing new creative grounds for Francophones. This new channel represents a novel voice for all Francophones and Francophiles from coast to coast.” This evening was also an occasion to mark the opening of the Ontario office of TV5 Québec Canada in Toronto.
"We are hoping all Francophones and Francophiles everywhere in the country will adopt this programming featuring people and places coast to coast, and make it their own. This fall, 15 original programs representing over 220 hours of new Francophone content will be broadcasted. To date, over $7.4 million have been invested in producing original Francophone content. We are already working at improving this offering with even more productions coming from all across Canada.
Unis’ programming schedule leaves substantial room for programs produced or shot in Ontario. Here are a few examples of productions scheduled to be broadcast during the 2024-2015 programming season:
• Couleurs locales, hosted by Frédéric Choinière, is a meeting point for all of Canada’s Francophone communities. Correspondents from across Canada will address topics of interest for Francophones, as well as the latest Canadian current events. Produced and recorded in Toronto. (Fall 2024 and Winter 2024)
• Balade à Toronto, a musical series devoted to up-and-coming Francophone artists, is also produced and shot in Toronto. Ontario’s Mehdi Cayenne Club, among others, will give a live performance between strolls in the Queen City of Canada. (Fall 2024)
• Vu de l’intérieur offers a stunning outlook on design by displaying dazzling homes, notably in Ottawa and Toronto. (Fall 2024)
• J’habite ici showcases cities and villages as seen through the eyes of their Franco-Ontarian residents. (Winter 2024)
• Qu’est-ce qu’on sauve? profiles people committed to protecting animals or safeguarding historical buildings in Ontario. (Spring 2024)
• Ma caravane au Canada, Canada plus grand que nature, 5e élément and Pense vite! will explore Ontario’s most picturesque regions while getting us acquainted with its Francophone populations. (Fall 2024)
In addition to these programs, Unis offers an entertaining and compelling programming, notably drama series, documentaries, children’s programs, magazines, quizzes and variety shows. To consult Unis’ 2024-2015 program schedule, visit Unis.ca.
On September 1 at 7 PM (Eastern Standard Time and Pacific Time), Unis will officially make its broadcasting debut by presenting an opening gala hosted by Nicolas Ouellet showcasing the channel’s 2024-2015 programming. The gala will also be radio-broadcasted across Canada by all participating stations of the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada, that wishes to highlight the television birth of Unis by sharing the news across its entire network. This will mark the first time in Canada that a specialty channel and a network of Francophone radio stations jointly broadcasts an event.
Then at 8 PM, the crew of Couleurs locales will mark the official launch of Unis by reuniting a wide range of guests on its set. Seated around host Frédéric Choinière will be Suzanne Gouin, Chief Executive Officer of TV5 Québec Canada, Pierre Gang, Programming Director, Hubert Lalande, an expert on media in minority environments, as well as several artists and key individuals who have contributed their time and talent to various programs. Together, they will discuss the new channel’s mission and its arrival on the Canadian television scene.