
Canal+ S.A. is a French multinational media conglomerate that has been a major player in the global entertainment industry for decades. Founded in 1987, the company has grown significantly since its inception.
Its headquarters are located in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a suburb of Paris, France. The company's parent company is Vivendi, a multinational media conglomerate.
Canal+ S.A. is primarily involved in the production and distribution of television channels, films, and other digital content. The company has a significant presence in several countries across Europe and Africa.
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Business Operations
Canal+ S.A. is a global media company that operates in several countries. It was founded in 1984 by Pierre Lescure and Claude Berda.
The company's business operations are led by Maxime Saada, who has been serving as the CEO since 2019. He has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and expansion.
Canal+ S.A. has a strong presence in the European market, with a significant presence in Poland, Germany, and France.
Subscription Channel & Production Company

Canal+ is a special French TV channel that started in 1984, known for its popular shows, new movies, and live sports.
Its signal is usually scrambled, requiring viewers to subscribe to a larger TV package from satellite or cable providers to unscramble it.
Today, Canal+ is often part of a larger TV package, making it more accessible to viewers.
Provider and Streaming Platform
Canal+ is a French TV channel that started in 1984 and is known for its popular shows, like new movies and live sports, which require a subscription to view.
The channel is part of a larger TV package from satellite or cable providers, making it easily accessible to a wide range of viewers.
Canal+ began satellite broadcasting in 1992 to reach parts of France not covered by cable.
This expansion allowed the channel to reach a broader audience and increase its reach in Europe and the UK.
In 1994, André Rousselet left the board, and Pierre Lescure took his place as director-general.
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The company created CanalSatellite in 1991, which was launched as a digital satellite platform in 1996 with 24 channels and interactive services.
Canal+ partnered with Vivendi to create V-Net in 1999 and bought NetHold in the Netherlands and NC Numericable in France.
The company also expanded its film library by buying the film library of Carolco Pictures for $56 million in 1996.
In 1998, all film, TV, music, and video production activities were grouped into a new entity called Canal+ Image, which was rebranded as StudioCanal in 2000.
In 1999, a new subsidiary, Canal+ Technologies, was created to develop and market its access control and interactivity technology.
Today, Canal+ is available as a streaming service called "myCanal", later renamed Canal+, which allows viewers to watch its channels live and on-demand.
Here's a list of some of the channels available on Canal+:
- Canal+ Cinéma(s) – premium TV channel devoted to movies
- Canal+ Sport – premium TV channel devoted to sports programmes
- Canal+ Kids – premium TV channel devoted to family programming
- Canal+ Docs – cable TV channel devoted to documentaries
- Canal+ Grand Écran
- Canal+ Foot
- Canal+ Séries – premium TV channel devoted to series
- Canal+ Sport 360 – premium TV channel, delayed broadcast of Sport from Canal+
- Canal+ Box Office
- Canal+ Live – cable TV channel devoted to live sports coverage
- Canal+ Premier League
- Ciné+ OCS – set of six thematic movies and series television channels
- Comédie+ (formerly Comédie!) – cable TV channel devoted to humour
- Europe 2 Pop TV – cable TV channel devoted to only French-language music videos from the 1980s to nowadays
- Golf+ – cable TV channel devoted to golf
- Infosport+ – cable TV news channel devoted to sports
- Piwi+ (formerly Piwi) – cable TV channel devoted to preschool programs
- Planète+ – cable TV channel devoted to documentaries
- Planète+ Aventure – cable TV channel devoted to adventure documentaries
- Planète+ Crime– cable TV channel devoted to crime documentaries
- Polar+ – cable TV channel devoted to crime TV series
- Seasons – cable TV channel devoted to documentaries in the hunting and fishing niche
- Télétoon+ (formerly Télétoon) – cable TV channel devoted to animation
- CNews (formerly i>Télé) – free-to-air news channel
- C8 – free-to-air generalist channel
- CStar – free-to-air channel with a musical predominant
- MyCanal, now CANAL+ – streaming service for Canal+ subscribers to stream the provider's channels live and on-demand, and as well as a free service for Canal+ free-to-air channels
- Canal+ International – international French premium channel in North America featuring programming from Canal+ and its various other channels
Channels and Divisions
Canal+ S.A. has a diverse range of channels catering to different interests. Canal+ Cinéma(s), Canal+ Sport, and Canal+ Kids are just a few of the many channels offered by the company, each dedicated to movies, sports programs, and family programming respectively.
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One notable channel is Canal+ Sport 360, which offers delayed broadcasts of sports programs from Canal+. This is especially useful for viewers who may have missed the live broadcast.
In addition to these channels, Canal+ also offers several cable TV channels, including Canal+ Docs, Planète+, and Piwi+, each specializing in documentaries, adventure documentaries, and preschool programs respectively.
The company's international presence is also notable, with Canal+ International being an international French premium channel in North America featuring programming from Canal+ and its various other channels.
Here's a list of some of the channels available in France:
- Canal+ Cinéma(s)
- Canal+ Sport
- Canal+ Kids
- Canal+ Docs
- Canal+ Grand Écran
- Canal+ Foot
- Canal+ Séries
- Canal+ Sport 360
- Canal+ Box Office
- Canal+ Live
- Canal+ Premier League
- Ciné+ OCS
- Comédie+
- Golf+
- Infosport+
- Piwi+
- Planète+
- Planète+ Aventure
- Planète+ Crime
- Polar+
- Seasons
- Télétoon+
- CNews
- C8
- CStar
- MyCanal
- Canal+ International
Governance and Leadership
Canal+ S.A. has a dual board system, with a Supervisory Board and an Executive Committee.
The president of the Supervisory Board is Jean-Christophe Thiery, a position he holds as of May 2024.
Maxime Saada is the CEO of Canal+ S.A. and also holds other important roles in related companies, including president of StudioCanal and president/director general of Dailymotion.
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Anna Marsh is a deputy director and the director-general of StudioCanal.
Gregoire Castaing is a deputy director and leads finance and strategy at Canal+ S.A.
Jacques du Puy is the president of Canal+ International.
Here are the main leaders of Canal+ S.A.:
- Maxime Saada: CEO of Canal+ S.A., president of StudioCanal, and other roles
- Anna Marsh: Deputy director and director-general of StudioCanal
- Gregoire Castaing: Deputy director and head of finance and strategy
- Jacques du Puy: President of Canal+ International
International Presence
Canal+ International is a significant player in the global market, with 6.6 million subscribers across over 50 countries as of December 31, 2023. It produces over 100 channels for distribution worldwide.
The company has a strong presence in Europe, with a significant subscriber base in Poland, where it has 3 million subscribers. Canal+ also operates in France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Netherlands, among other countries.
In 2019, Canal+ acquired M7 Group for 1.1 billion euros, expanding its reach in Europe through its various satellite pay TV platforms. These platforms operate in countries such as Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania.
Canal+ has also made a significant move into the streaming market, launching its services in Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia in 2023. In the Netherlands, Canal+ was brought back as a streaming service on January 20, 2024.
Here's a list of some of the countries where Canal+ operates:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Spain
In addition to its European presence, Canal+ also operates in French Overseas Territories, with 800,000 subscribers across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific regions.
Financial and Analysis
CANAL+ SA has seen revenue growth lacking momentum, but the EBIT margin is reassuring.
Analysts' recommendations for Canal+ SA are varied, with Deutsche Bank still a buyer and having raised their target price. Deutsche Bank has initiated buy coverage for Canal+ SA.
Here are some key analyst recommendations for Canal+ SA:
Financials
Financial news and data can be tailored to specific country editions, making it easier for investors to access relevant information.
This is especially useful for those who need to stay up-to-date on financial news in their local market.
Investor-focused financial data is available, providing a targeted view of the market.
Financial news can be overwhelming, but tailoring it to a specific country edition helps to filter out irrelevant information.
Investors can use this tailored data to make more informed decisions about their investments.
Financial data is crucial for investors, and having access to relevant information can make a big difference in their investment strategy.
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Analysts' Recommendations

Analysts' recommendations for Canal+ SA are worth noting. Deutsche Bank is a strong supporter of the company, initiating buy coverage on March 14.
Their analysts point out that while revenue growth may be lacking momentum, the EBIT margin is reassuring. This suggests that Canal+ SA is still a solid investment opportunity.
Deutsche Bank has a target price for Canal+ SA, which they have raised over time. This indicates their confidence in the company's potential for growth.
Here's a summary of the analysts' recommendations:
It's clear that Deutsche Bank is a key player in Canal+ SA's success, with their analysts consistently recommending the company as a buy.
Analysis Opinion
The Canal Plus Group is facing a revenue growth issue, with momentum lacking. This is a concern for investors.
Their EBIT margin, however, is reassuring. It suggests that the company is still able to maintain profitability despite the revenue struggles.
A shaky start to the year is not what the Canal Plus Group needs, especially with revenue growth lacking momentum. This could be a sign of bigger issues to come.
The reassuring EBIT margin is a silver lining, but it's not enough to offset the concerns about revenue growth.
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News and Press
Canal+ S.A. has been making headlines with its recent announcements. In September, the company announced a new share buyback program worth £31 million.
Canal+ also completed a placing, and its share buyback program was announced on June 30, 2025. The company's equity buyback plan aims to repurchase 10% of its issued share capital for £31 million.
On September 22, Canal+ finalized its acquisition of South Africa's MultiChoice, a deal worth $2 billion. The acquisition was previously conditional, but Canal+ has now met all the conditions to complete the takeover.
Here are some key dates related to Canal+'s announcements:
In addition to these announcements, Canal+ has also made some key appointments, including the appointment of Christopher McLoughlin as Director of Documentaries at Canal+.
History and Milestones
This spirit was all about being different and using clever humor to entertain its audience.
Canal+ started slowly, but it gained popularity by showing popular American comedies and French dramas that weren't available on government channels.
Government rules also required Canal+ to show several hours of free programs each day, which it used to promote its paid service.
By 1989, Canal+ had almost three million subscribers and had expanded into other European countries like Belgium, Spain, and Germany.
In 1990, Canal+ started working in Africa with Canal+ Horizons, making it the most successful subscription channel in Europe and second only to HBO worldwide.
Canal+ began making its own films in 1987, with Canal+ Productions creating its first film, The Double Life of Veronique.
By the early 1990s, Canal+ was a big supporter of the French film industry, having to spend 10% of its income on French films.
In 1991, Canal+ bought a small part of an American studio called Carolco Pictures, but faced money problems in 1992 after Carolco reorganized its business.
Canal+ started broadcasting by satellite in 1992 to reach parts of France without cable TV.
On April 27, 1996, Canal+ got two new sister channels: Canal+ Jaune (Yellow) and Canal+ Bleu (Blue), later renamed Canal+ Cinema and Canal+ Confort.
In 1996, Le Studio Canal+ bought the film library of Carolco Pictures for $56 million, its first large collection of films.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get CANAL+ on my TV?
To get CANAL+ on your TV, install the CANAL+ app from your TV's app store and follow the on-screen instructions to log in and pair your device. A QR code will guide you through the process.
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