Investment Announcement
French broadcaster Canal+ announced on 27 July 2026 that it has entered into a five‑year agreement to invest €980 million (approximately $1.11 billion) in French and European cinema, with the programme commencing in 2028. The commitment represents the largest single investment the company has made in the film sector to date.
Scope and Terms
The agreement, signed with film‑industry bodies, covers Canal+ and its Cine+ OCS channels. Under the terms, subscribers will receive access to French, European and international titles six months after their theatrical release.
Strategic Rationale
CEO Maxime Saada stated that the investment reaffirms Canal+’s support for cinema, highlighting its power, creativity and diversity. The move comes amid recent tensions between the broadcaster and the French film community concerning the influence of the group’s largest shareholder, Vincent Bollore. In May, roughly 600 film professionals signed a petition accusing Bollore of pushing a far‑right agenda through his media holdings; Canal+ responded by threatening to blacklist the signatories.
Corporate Footprint
Canal+ operates in more than 70 countries, employs about 15,000 people and serves over 40 million subscribers worldwide.