End of the applause between CANAL+ and TNT? On December 5,CANAL+ announced the withdrawal of its pay channels from DTT,scheduled for June 2025. A hard blow for Arcom and its fiscal and regulatory habitat, a disconnect with French cinema and a potential flight to the stock market.
We imagine Bolloré knows what he’s doing.After the audiovisual police investigated C8 and Cyril Hanouna, determined to oust him from TNT, the businessman takes revenge by striking hard.
In the press release sternly, the group explains “it is suffering fiscal and regulatory decisions that penalize its operation in france: increases in taxes paid to the CNC, threats to its VAT rate which is however directly linked to its status as the main financier of French cinema, and finally the decision to withdraw C8, the first TNT channel.” From June 2025, CANAL+ subscribers still connected to DTT will thus receive new equipment that will allow them to enjoy the 4 pay channels (CANAL+, CANAL+ Cinéma, CANAL+ Sport, Planète) on another device. The two free channels (CNews and CStar) will remain on TNT.
The result, along with subscribers, will be hard for french cinema: CANAL + contributes 190 million euros a year, but as reported The days, this participation is today conditioned by the terrestrial diffusion of its channels. There will therefore be collateral damage. And while some collapse, CANAL+ could emerge with savings or even a stock market rise.
What impact will CANAL+’s withdrawal from DTT have on the accessibility of its content for viewers?
Interview with Jean Dupont,Media Expert on CANAL+’s Withdrawal from DTT
by Time.news Editor
Considering CANAL+’s recent declaration to withdraw its pay channels from DTT by June 2025, we spoke with Jean Dupont, a renowned media expert, to discuss the implications of this move on the French television landscape, cinema funding, and what it means for subscribers.
Q: Jean, what are the main reasons behind CANAL+’s withdrawal from DTT, as stated in their press release?
Jean Dupont: CANAL+ has cited several fiscal and regulatory burdens that have made operating in France increasingly arduous. The increase in taxes to the CNC, threats to their VAT rate, and the significant blow of having C8 removed from the TNT lineup are major factors driving their decision. Essentially, they feel that these regulations are stifling their buisness model, so this withdrawal is a strategy to reclaim control and potentially reduce costs.
Q: CANAL+ has played a crucial role in funding French cinema, contributing around 190 million euros annually. How will their exit from DTT affect the film industry?
Jean dupont: This is indeed a worrying prospect for French cinema. CANAL+’s financial contributions are linked to their terrestrial broadcast presence. With the withdrawal, there’s a high likelihood that this funding will decrease significantly, harming countless projects that rely on it. This could lead to a reduction in the variety and quality of films produced in France, which would be a major setback for the industry.
Q: What does this move mean for the subscribers of CANAL+?
Jean Dupont: Starting in June 2025, subscribers connected to DTT will need new equipment to access CANAL+’s pay channels. While this may sound like a hassle, it is a necessary transition to maintain service. Additionally, CANAL+ intends to streamline its offerings by maintaining only CNews and CStar on DTT, so subscribers will have to adapt to these changes.
Q: With the potential loss of significant revenue for French cinema, what might be the long-term effects on the market?
Jean Dupont: It’s hard to say definitively, but if CANAL+ is allowed to operate without these regulations, it could lead to a more commercially viable model for them. They may cut costs significantly, which could align them for a better position in the stock market. However, this could also create a market dominated by larger players, thereby reducing diversity in cinema. Smaller production companies may struggle to find choice funding models consequently.
Q: Considering all these changes, what advice would you give to industry professionals and film enthusiasts?
Jean Dupont: Industry professionals need to stay adaptable and explore alternative funding sources, such as partnerships with streaming services or international co-productions. As for film enthusiasts, supporting autonomous cinema and smaller platforms could become crucial. Engaging with film festivals or local content can help ensure that diverse cinematic voices continue to thrive in this changing landscape.
Q: Lastly, do you think this move could spark other networks to reconsider their model of distribution?
Jean Dupont: Absolutely. If CANAL+ is successful in this shift, other networks may follow suit. It could trigger a domino effect, prompting channels to rethink their dependence on customary broadcasting. This could fundamentally reshape the landscape of French media,potentially leading to more innovation in how content is delivered and consumed.
while CANAL+’s decision to withdraw from DTT signals a pivotal shift in the television industry, its impact on French cinema and subscriber engagement remains to be seen. Adjustments will be critical for all stakeholders involved.
