Radio-Canada has penned a deal with Fox International Channels (FIC) to acquire more than 100 hours of Nat Geo documentaries, to be broadcast on French-language specialty channel ICI Explora starting in January 2015.

The companies will also pursue the development and coproduction of stories that will “resonate for both partners, including a project focused on the Arctic,” the two parties said.

The output agreement – which the partners say will expose FIC Content Sales’ library to more viewers, including Canadian teachers and students – will also see ICI Explora introducing a new slot in primetime devoted exclusively to National Geographic productions, starting with six docs on big cats.

Radio-Canada has also indicated its interest in a variety of docs and series currently in production to expand the programming lineup of Découverte, La semaine verte, Zone doc and Les Grands Reportages on ICI RDI.

Additionally, the partners have signed an agreement that allows web portal Curio.ca – Radio-Canada’s educational platform – to air 200 hours of Nat Geo docs previously acquired and aired on ICI Explora, as well as additional hours secured specifically for Curio.ca.

The collaboration aims to enable teaching institutions and libraries throughout Canada who subscribe to Curio.ca to access Nat Geo’s factual content.

Louis Lalande, EVP of French services at CBC/Radio-Canada, said the deal was “perfectly consistent with our multi-platform and multiscreen approach, whereby we try to offer our audiences the best of worldwide productions.

“This is a great example of the kind of collaboration intended by ‘A Space For Us All,’ the strategic plan unveiled by CBC/Radio-Canada in June that will help us better meet the expectations of Canadians.”

Ward Platt, FIC’s chief operating officer and National Geographic Channels International’s CEO, added that the partnership “presents the perfect opportunity to introduce French-speaking Canadian audiences and a new generation of bright minds to inspiring, high-quality programming that encapsulates the core of the National Geographic brand.”

– From Realscreen