Radio Canada International expands its reach in the major capitals of French-speaking Africa, thanks to a new agreement with German international radio broadcaster, Deutsche Welle. Under the agreement, DW will allow its over 100 local partner radio stations to use its receivers to pick up RCI programming.
This initiative fits perfectly with Radio Canada Internationals repositioning, which puts greater emphasis on building meaningful partnerships with large-scale international radio services. Our agreement with Deutsche Welle will enable us to reach a larger French-speaking audience in Africa, said Jean Larin, director of Radio Canada International. According to Deutsche Welles distribution director, Heinz G. Pianka, Radio-Canada International programming will enrich our current radio offering by providing a Canadian perspective on the major issues of the day.
On March 26, RCI also launches new Portuguese programming specially tailored to Brazilian audiences. Journalist Hector Vilar will host the new weekly programme, a prestigious news and information magazine covering key current affairs in Canada and Brazil. Vilar holds a masters degree in communications, and has worked as reporter and news director at a leading São Paulo daily, Jornal da Tarde, as well as editor and teaching assistant at Université du Québec à Montréal.
Thanks to an agreement with Radio Netherlands, this half-hour programe will be broadcast on 300 AM and FM stations throughout Brazil. It will also be aired live on RCI short-wave on Fridays at 4 p.m. EST, and on weekends via satellite and Internet.
RCI and DW are members of the AIB.