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BRUSSELS � Video-on-demand in France has received a $1.6 million cash injection from the Centre National de la Cinematographie, Gaul's government-backed film and TV funder.

Thirty-two companies, from producers to VOD platforms, share the coin, which supports the digitization and online distribution of French and other European films.

Biggest winners are VOD platform Universcine ($142,500) and Ideale Audience ($126,600), a production company specializing in documentaries and music films.

The CNC also revealed Thursday that the number of feature films available on VOD in France rose 14.6% in the year to May 31, hitting 3,234 titles. Eight platforms were monitored: Orange, Canal Play, TF1 Vision, France Televisions VOD, Virgin Mega, Arte VOD, Club Internet and Universcine.

Most titles (85%) came out in theaters more than three years ago, with nearly a quarter (24%) chalking up local audiences above one million. Just under half (46%) of the films on offer are French.