What CANAL+ Group does

CANAL+ Group is a French-headquartered global audiovisual media company serving 40M+ subscribers across 70+ countries through pay-TV, streaming, content production, distribution, and advertising. Founded in 1984 as one of Europe's first encrypted pay-TV channels, the group was acquired by Vivendi in the 2000s and spun off as a standalone public company with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange (ticker 'CAN', ISIN FR001400T0D6) in December 2024, followed by a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in June 2026. The company operates across the full audiovisual value chain, with core streaming products including the CANAL+ App (deployed in 40+ countries with AI-powered content search) and DStv Stream (acquired via the $3 billion acquisition of MultiChoice in September 2025). Production and distribution assets include STUDIOCANAL (23 production companies, ~10,000-title catalogue across 60 countries, ~100 films per year, 20+ series) and Dailymotion (video platform).

The group's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions, satellite pay-TV (DStv), bundled offerings aggregating third-party streamers (Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, HBO Max) under one rail, advertising sales, telecommunications services through GVA in Africa and CANAL+ Telecom in French overseas territories, and content licensing through STUDIOCANAL. Pricing is subscription-based with country-specific tiers; the RAT+ youth offering is standardized at €19.99/month without commitment, bundling premium sports rights (UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Formula 1, MotoGP, TOP 14, beIN SPORTS for FIFA World Cup 2026) or premium cinema/series content for users under 26. Distribution partnerships with Samsung Smart TVs (DStv Stream preinstalled across 18 African countries) and Amazon Fire TV (CANAL+ App integrated across 10 European markets) extend reach without direct sales cost.

CANAL+ runs on a multi-revenue-stream model spanning subscription-recurring revenues (pay-TV and streaming), licensing/royalties (STUDIOCANAL films and series worldwide), advertising (CANAL+ channels, CNews, and digital properties), and subscription telecommunications (FTTH broadband via GVA in Africa). It invests €3.5 billion annually in content and committed €558 million to French cinema over 2025-2027, holding the position of largest non-state funder of French cinema. Following the MultiChoice combination, the group employs approximately 17,000 people across all continents and operates in Europe (France, UK, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, Belgium), Africa (South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and others), and Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines), making it one of the largest pay-TV operators globally by subscriber count.

Name

CANAL+ Group

Legal name

GROUPE CANAL+

Website

https://canalplusgroup.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

CANAL+ Group is a French-headquartered global audiovisual media group with 40M+ subscribers across 70+ countries, operating pay-TV, streaming (CANAL+ App, DStv Stream), content production (STUDIOCANAL, Dailymotion), and telecom services across Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Listed on LSE since December 2024 following its spin-off from Vivendi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pay-TV and Streaming Services

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Network/Studio Streaming Channels (MPABAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cable Network Groups & Portfolio Operators (Multi-Channel Brands) (MPABAFAO), Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT) (MPACAAAD), Sports OTT & League Pass Streaming Channels (MPABAHAJ)

Keywords

• Pay television services
• Subscription video streaming
• Film production distribution
• Sports broadcasting rights
• Content aggregation platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Issy-les-moulineaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pay-TV Subscriptions: Subscription-based revenue from pay-TV services including satellite (DStv), streaming (CANAL+, DStv Stream), and bundled offerings. The group had 26.4 million subscribers worldwide as of early 2024, with 17.1 million in Europe, 8.1 million in Africa, and 1.2 million in Asia-Pacific.
2. Content Production and Distribution: Revenue from STUDIOCANAL through production financing, co-productions, and worldwide distribution of films and series. The studio produces approximately 100 films per year and more than 20 local and international series.
3. RAT+ Youth Subscriptions: Specialized subscription offerings (RAT+ Sport and RAT+ Ciné Séries) targeting under-26 demographic at €19.99/month without commitment, bundling CANAL+ content with third-party streaming platforms
4. Advertising: Advertising revenue across CANAL+ channels and platforms, including CNews and other media properties under the Bolloré media empire
5. Telecommunications Services: FTTH broadband internet services through GVA (Group Vivendi Africa) in African markets, bundling internet with entertainment content

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CANAL+ Group produces, aggregates, and distributes subscription pay-TV and streaming content — including live sports (UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Formula 1), cinema, original series, and third-party platform bundles (Netflix, Apple TV, HBO Max, Paramount+) — through the CANAL+ App, DStv Stream satellite/streaming, and STUDIOCANAL's film/TV production and worldwide distribution. The group serves 26.4 million subscribers across 70+ countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, with €3.5 billion invested annually in content.

Product overview

CANAL+ Group is a global media and entertainment company operating a platform-plus-ecosystem model with over 40 million subscribers across 70+ countries. The core offering centers on the CANAL+ App (streaming with AI-powered content search and generative AI features) and DStv Stream (via MultiChoice acquisition), which aggregate content including live sports, movies, series, and third-party platforms. The portfolio includes STUDIOCANAL (film/TV production with 23 production companies), RAT+ (youth subscription tiers for sport and cinema), Dailymotion (video platform), SuperSport (African sports), CANALVOD (on-demand), and telecom services through GVA and CANAL+ Telecom. The group operates across the full audiovisual value chain: production, broadcasting, distribution, and aggregation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CANAL+ App: Mobile and streaming application for CANAL+ content
• STUDIOCANAL
• Dailymotion
• DStv Stream
• RAT+
• SuperSport
• CANAL+ Distribution
• STUDIOCANAL Stories
• STUDIOCANAL Kids & Family
• STUDIOCANAL ON STAGE

Products and services

• CANAL+ App The main direct-to-consumer streaming application of CANAL+ Group offering live TV, on-demand movies, original series, and premium sports content. Deployed in 40+ countries with self-serve subscription, AI-powered content search, and generative AI features.
• DStv Stream MultiChoice's flagship streaming service providing access to pay-TV content (sports, movies, series, themed channels) in English and Portuguese-speaking African markets. Preinstalled on Samsung Smart TVs across 18 African countries from June 2026.
• STUDIOCANAL European film and television production and worldwide distribution studio with 23 production companies across Europe and the US, producing approximately 100 films annually and more than 20 international and local series. Catalog of nearly 10,000 film titles from 60 countries.
• RAT+ Sport Youth subscription tier (under 26) bundling CANAL+ Sport content including UEFA Champions League, Premier League, TOP 14, Formula 1, MotoGP, Eurosport, and beIN SPORTS (including FIFA World Cup 2026 matches). Priced at €19.99/month without commitment.
• RAT+ Ciné Séries Youth subscription tier (under 26) offering recent cinema releases, CANAL+ original series, and aggregated content from Apple TV, HBO Max, Netflix, Paramount+, and CINÉ+ OCS. Priced at €19.99/month without commitment.
• Dailymotion International video sharing and streaming platform owned by CANAL+ Group, leveraging proprietary technology for video distribution, promotion, and monetization. Features Green IT program for energy efficiency.
• DStv Satellite Pay-TV (MultiChoice) Satellite pay-TV service operated by MultiChoice Group (acquired by CANAL+ in September 2025) under the DStv brand (with DStv Premium as flagship package) reaching millions of subscribers across Africa with a comprehensive channel lineup.
• SuperSport Sports broadcasting brand operating across African markets offering live sports coverage including Premier League, UEFA competitions, and international sports events. Recently launched 'Sleep Can Wait' campaign for FIFA World Cup 2026.
• GVA (Group Vivendi Africa) FTTH broadband internet services subsidiary deploying high-speed fiber broadband in African markets (with fiber internet launches planned in Ghana in Accra and Kumasi), bundling broadband internet with entertainment content subscriptions.
• CANAL+ Telecom Telecommunications services operated by CANAL+ in French overseas departments and territories.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ million subscribers across 70+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• SAM ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026STUDIOCANAL became majority shareholder (51%) of SAM Productions, which consolidates activities of Meta Film and A&M Productions in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Adam Price and Meta Louise Foldager Sørensen retain 24.5% each. Partnership established in 2014, with productions including The Chestnut Man, Borgen, and The Orchestra.
• Amazon Fire TVcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 23 June 2026Enhanced collaboration in Europe covering France, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, and Belgium. Includes improved CANAL+ App integration on Fire TV devices and promotional offer of one free month subscription for Fire TV purchases on Amazon.fr.
• Samsung ElectronicscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 22 June 2026Strategic partnership expansion to African English and Portuguese-speaking markets, with DStv Stream preinstalled on Samsung Smart TVs in 18 African countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This builds on existing partnership across 40 European, African francophone, and Asian markets.
• OpenAIstrategicTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026AI partnership for deployment of AI-powered content search and generative AI features in CANAL+ App across European and African markets starting June 2026.
• Google CloudstrategicTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026AI partnership for deployment of AI-powered content search and generative AI features in CANAL+ App across European and African markets starting June 2026.
• Lucky Red (Italy)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Acquisition of 51% stake in Italian company Lucky Red, with Andrea Occhipinti remaining 49% shareholder. Part of broader industrial and technological investments in Italy.
• Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreTechnology or Integration · 2 January 2026Multi-year, multi-territory distribution agreement covering Africa and Europe, retaining rights to 12 WBD thematic channels including CNN International, Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and other channels. Some offered exclusively in specific territories such as South Africa. Resolved earlier dispute threatening channel access from January 1, 2026.
• UGC (France)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2025Acquisition of 34% stake in French cinema chain UGC with option to acquire 100% by 2028. Controversial due to concerns about media concentration tied to Vincent Bolloré's empire.
• Global Streamers (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal streamers backed 54 French films in 2025, with CANAL+ aggregating these platforms alongside its own content through channel distribution partnerships.
• Sun Africa GroupstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor long-term theatrical partnership in South Africa for STUDIOCANAL distribution of films.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Disney+: Major subscription streaming competitor bundled into CANAL+ offerings (e.g., via RAT+ Ciné Séries). Competes for premium family and franchise content viewership in European markets.
• Amazon Prime Video: Streaming competitor and device partner simultaneously. Prime Video competes for sports rights (e.g., Premier League in UK) while Amazon Fire TV is a key CANAL+ distribution channel across 10 European markets.
• Netflix: Global subscription streaming leader and CANAL+'s primary competitor for subscriber attention and wallet share in Europe and increasingly in Africa. Comparable subscription video model, but Netflix lacks CANAL+'s premium live-sports rights and African pay-TV footprint.

Regional players

• TF1 Group: Leading French free-to-air broadcaster and content producer. Direct competitor for French advertising revenue and French content rights; subject to similar CSA regulatory environment as CANAL+.
• ProSiebenSat.1 Media: German-language broadcaster and streaming operator (Joyn). Comparable European broadcaster with advertising-funded and subscription streaming model.
• ITV plc: UK free-to-air broadcaster and producer (ITVX streaming). Comparable European broadcaster model with content production arm and streaming pivot.

Peers

• M6 Group (RTL France): Major French broadcaster competing for audience share and content rights domestically. Comparable free-to-air + streaming (6play/M6+) hybrid model in the same French regulatory environment.

Broad incumbents

• Warner Bros. Discovery: Global media conglomerate and key CANAL+ content partner (CNN, Cartoon Network, HBO Max, Discovery channels). Both supplier and competitor depending on territory — a 2026 multi-year distribution deal covers Africa and Europe.
• Liberty Global: International cable and broadband operator with European pay-TV assets (Virgin Media, Telenet, Sunrise). Comparable pay-TV aggregation model across multiple European geographies.
• Comcast (Sky): US cable incumbent owning Sky, which competes with CANAL+ in UK and parts of Europe. Comparable pay-TV + streaming hybrid model and live-sports portfolio (Premier League, F1).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/canalplusgroupe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canal-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CANAL+ Group