Bell Media Stocks New French-Language Crime Channel

MONTREAL: Bell Media has devised the programming roster for its upcoming Canal D/Investigation channel, a French-language service specializing in factual programming about the world of crime.

The channel will air more than 500 hours of programming that has never been seen before in Quebec. Around 15 percent will be Canadian productions, including two original Quebec productions. These are Opération Police from Productions Sovimage, and Amour Fatal from CMJ Productions.

In the way of docu-reality titles, the channel has lined up DEA: Lutte Antidrogue and Au Bout de la Peur. Organized crime is exposed in Les Stars de la Mafia, while Histoires de Gangsters looks at famous criminals.

From the crime and investigation genre, the network will offer Opération Police, as well as the forensics-focused Premières Médicolégales and Crime 360. Documentaries are also part of the lineup, among them Pink Panthers, Les Braqueurs Du Siècle and Magnotta. Such shows as Le Dernier Témoin and Pourquoi J’ai Épousé Ce Criminel? feature crimes of all sorts that are recounted by people directly involved with the cases.

Canal D/Investigation is set for launch as a Freeview on Bell TV and Bell Fibe as of December 12, and on Cogeco Cable as of December 19.

“Television channels for fans of investigations and forensics have grown exponentially all over the world,” said Jean-Pierre Laurendeau, the senior director of programming at Canal D/Investigation. “That's why there are so many quality shows featuring crimes and police investigations.”