LOS ANGELES, Jan 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — TV5MONDE has reached a new agreement with DISH Network L.L.C. to launch America’s first French-language channel devoted solely to children’s programming. Tivi5MONDE launches nationally today, January 26. Tivi5MONDE will be offered to DISH subscribers as part of its French bouquet which already includes TV5MONDE USA, America’s 24/7 French language entertainment channel. The package is available for a monthly fee of $19.99.

Tivi5MONDE will offer the best of French-language programming including animation, education and dramatic series targeting tweens and young teens. The new channel is being programmed to appeal to children and youth audiences ages 4-14.

Remarked Marie-Christine Saragosse, General Manager of TV5MONDE, “We are very pleased to launch this new channel with our long-time partners at DISH Network and to expand the TV5MONDE brand in the U.S. We anticipate Tivi5MONDE driving interest among young American Francophones and Francophiles while further promoting French-culture and language in the states.”

“DISH leads the pay-TV industry with more than 200 ethnic channels in 29 languages,” said Chris Kuelling, DISH Network’s vice president of International Programming. “We consistently look for opportunities to expand our extensive collection of international options, and we are pleased to add Tivi5MONDE for DISH customers interested in French programming.”

Some highlights from Tivi5MONDE’s initial programming line-up will include:

Les Daltons (The Daltons / 78 episodes x 7-minutes) — The Dalton brothers (Joe, William, Jack and Averell) are the worst bandits of the Wild West. Sentenced to hard labor in maximum security penitentiary, they make every attempt to escape. But the Daltons are unfortunately more stupid than evil.

Galactik Football (Galactic Soccer / 78 episodes x 26-minutes) — Galactik Football is the most popular sport in the entire galaxy. Fantastic creatures with special powers compete in matches in a high-tech environment.

Marsupilami — Houba Houba Hop! (Marsupilami — Houba Houba Hop! – 52 episodes x 26-minutes) — Hector was exiled for one year with his aunt Diane. This young boy, in search of adventure, became friends with the legendary Marsupilami. But his happiness is threatened by the arrival of the industrial megalomaniac, Felicia Devort.

Chasseurs De Dragons (Dragon Hunters – 52 episodes x 26-minutes) — Dragons infest the world. They are swarming in multiple places and are dangerous altogether. They eat sheep and devastate crops. Despite the danger, Lian-Chu and Gwizdo, two inseparable friends, hunt these monsters.

Chris Arrant

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