French pay-TV operator Canal+ is the 1.5% upwards in the first quarter of 2025 for its revenue which stands now at €1.547 billion. The relatively small increase was primarily driven by solid results in content production and international markets, while the company continued on its path for global expansion. The largest increase was in content production, which was up by 8.2%. Much of this was due to hits at the box office such as Paddington in Peru, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and We Live in Time. These titles helped offset slower revenue in other business areas and demonstrated Canal+’s growing strength in film and television production.
Maxime Saada, Chief Executive Officer, Canal+, said, “2024 was a pivotal year for CANAL+ as we achieved several key strategic milestones. In the first quarter of 2025, we continued to build on this momentum, moving towards our goal of becoming a global media and entertainment leader, supported by strong financial discipline.”
Saada also reiterated that Canal+ anticipates that its postponed merger with South African pay-TV company MultiChoice will go ahead later in the year. Currently closing is set for Oct. 8. If it is completed the merger would greatly expand Canal+’s footprint in Africa, providing it access to English- and Portuguese-speaking markets, on top of the French-speaking countries it already operates in.
Maxime Saada, Chief Executive Officer, Canal+, said, “The combination with MultiChoice will create a stronger and more diverse presence for Canal+ in Africa.”
The company already holds a significant stake in MultiChoice and aims to buy the group out through a multi-stage deal. Meanwhile, Canal+ reported steady results in a number of its European territories. In Poland, growth in revenues continued to be fueled by an increase in ARPU which reflected the increasing willingness of customers to pay for premium content and services.
Elsewhere in Europe, revenues were flat. The increase in OTT (over-the-top) services and a better advertising result also offset competitive pressure in the pay-TV business. Canal+ has been ramping up investment in digital delivery and original content to be able to take on global streaming giants while winning over younger audiences.
Maxime Saada, Chief Executive Officer, Canal+, said, “Our focus remains on content innovation, operational efficiency, and expanding our global footprint. These efforts are helping us build a more sustainable and competitive business for the future.”
Advertising also performed better in the quarter, thanks to increased viewer engagement and better monetization strategies. These improvements contributed to the overall stability of Canal+’s operations across its European footprint. Looking ahead, Canal+ says it will continue to focus on profitable growth. The company is balancing its investments in original productions and international expansion with financial discipline, as it targets a stronger position in the global media and entertainment industry. The company is owned by French media conglomerate Vivendi, which has been pushing for greater international reach in recent years. With its eye on markets in Africa, Europe, and Asia, Canal+ is slowly transforming from a traditional broadcaster into a global content powerhouse.
Additionally, In recent quarters, Canal+ has also emphasized the importance of building strategic partnerships and developing high-quality local content in key regions. This includes co-productions with local studios and investments in regional language programming to cater to diverse audiences. As Canal+ prepares for its next phase of growth, the upcoming merger with MultiChoice and its recent content wins position the company to compete more effectively on the global stage. However, it still faces challenges from both traditional rivals and fast-growing streaming platforms.