Vue Names Ian Fraser As Chair
Former Kwik Fit CEO Ian Fraser is the new Non-Exec Chairman of British cinema chain Vue. He succeeds Stella David, who is exiting to run gambling biz Entail. Fraser is currently working for infrastructure business M Group Services, but is best known as CEO of car servicing business Kwik Fit and COO of Orange UK. He takes up his new post on June 1, leading a non-exec board also including Katrina Cliffe, Henry Birch and Tom Singer and working alongside Vue CEO Tim Richards, CFO Alison Cornwell and COO Matt Eyre. Vue recently underwent a debt restructuring that saw about £50M ($63.5M) of debt converted into equity. This came after The Hollywood labor strikes, which hit cinema operators hard. However, the likes of Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4 have helped the sector bounce back in 2024. UK-based Vue has well over 200 multiplexes in Europe and Taiwan.
Former Kwik Fit CEO Ian Fraser is the new Non-Exec Chairman of British cinema chain Vue. He succeeds Stella David, who is exiting to run gambling biz Entail. Fraser is currently working for infrastructure business M Group Services, but is best known as CEO of car servicing business Kwik Fit and COO of Orange UK. He takes up his new post on June 1, leading a non-exec board also including Katrina Cliffe, Henry Birch and Tom Singer and working alongside Vue CEO Tim Richards, CFO Alison Cornwell and COO Matt Eyre. Vue recently underwent a debt restructuring that saw about £50M ($63.5M) of debt converted into equity. This came after The Hollywood labor strikes, which hit cinema operators hard. However, the likes of Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4 have helped the sector bounce back in 2024. UK-based Vue has well over 200 multiplexes in Europe and Taiwan.
- 5/23/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
French Canal+ Group’s operation to take full control of African media and entertainment giant MultiChoice appears to be moving forward with both parties announcing they had finalized the terms of a second mandatory offer in a joint statement on Monday.
Paris-based Canal+ Group, which currently holds a 36.6% in the company, has officially confirmed a second mandatory offer of 125 South African Rand ($6.7) per share for the MultiChoice’s remaining shares, which was first posted on March 5.
This is significantly above its initial offer of 105 South African Rand ($5.6) per share on February 1.
The need to make a mandatory offer was triggered by Canal+, MultiChoice’s biggest shareholder, raising its holding in the firm above the 35% threshold.
Canal+ and MultiChoice said that they had entered a cooperation agreement regarding the offer. In further details, Canal+ said it would pay for the stake out of its own funds and would not be obliged to borrow.
Paris-based Canal+ Group, which currently holds a 36.6% in the company, has officially confirmed a second mandatory offer of 125 South African Rand ($6.7) per share for the MultiChoice’s remaining shares, which was first posted on March 5.
This is significantly above its initial offer of 105 South African Rand ($5.6) per share on February 1.
The need to make a mandatory offer was triggered by Canal+, MultiChoice’s biggest shareholder, raising its holding in the firm above the 35% threshold.
Canal+ and MultiChoice said that they had entered a cooperation agreement regarding the offer. In further details, Canal+ said it would pay for the stake out of its own funds and would not be obliged to borrow.
- 4/8/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
France’s Canal+ has upped a buyout offer for African TV and streaming giant MultiChoice to around $1.77B.
Vivendi-owned Canal+ is already MultiChoice’s biggest single shareholder, and last month had an earlier offer rejected on grounds it significantly undervalued the African company.
The new mandatory offer stands at around 125 South African rand per share ($6.60), which values MultiChoice at about 33.7B, according to Reuters. A statement from the two companies said a period of exclusivity will kick in while shareholders assess the new offer.
Canal+ currently owns just over 35% of MultiChoice, which owns pay-tv services and streamer Showmax. When it hit this shareholding threshold, it became mandatory to launch a takeover offer per a local takeover regulations panel. Canal+ then said it would submit a new offer by April 8.
Once the mandatory offer is officially made, an independent board of MultiChoice will be formed to asses the takeover’s merits.
Vivendi-owned Canal+ is already MultiChoice’s biggest single shareholder, and last month had an earlier offer rejected on grounds it significantly undervalued the African company.
The new mandatory offer stands at around 125 South African rand per share ($6.60), which values MultiChoice at about 33.7B, according to Reuters. A statement from the two companies said a period of exclusivity will kick in while shareholders assess the new offer.
Canal+ currently owns just over 35% of MultiChoice, which owns pay-tv services and streamer Showmax. When it hit this shareholding threshold, it became mandatory to launch a takeover offer per a local takeover regulations panel. Canal+ then said it would submit a new offer by April 8.
Once the mandatory offer is officially made, an independent board of MultiChoice will be formed to asses the takeover’s merits.
- 3/5/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Vivendi’s Canal+ Group has made an offer to take full control of African entertainment company The MultiChoice Group, in which it already holds a 31.7% stake.
“The Canal+ Group confirms that it has submitted to the board of directors of MultiChoice a letter containing a non-binding indicative offer with a view to acquiring all of the issued ordinary shares of MultiChoice that it does not yet hold, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals,” the Paris-based pay-tv giant said in statement on Thursday.
Canal+ said it has offered 105 South African rand ($5.61) per ordinary share, which was a 40% premium on their closing price of R75 on January 31.
The group emphasized that neither “the evolution” or “the conditions of a possible transaction” were “certain”, adding that any operation would comply with all laws and regulations related to the South African media sector and companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
It remains...
“The Canal+ Group confirms that it has submitted to the board of directors of MultiChoice a letter containing a non-binding indicative offer with a view to acquiring all of the issued ordinary shares of MultiChoice that it does not yet hold, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals,” the Paris-based pay-tv giant said in statement on Thursday.
Canal+ said it has offered 105 South African rand ($5.61) per ordinary share, which was a 40% premium on their closing price of R75 on January 31.
The group emphasized that neither “the evolution” or “the conditions of a possible transaction” were “certain”, adding that any operation would comply with all laws and regulations related to the South African media sector and companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
It remains...
- 2/1/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
In a comeback worthy of “Succession”‘s patriarch Logan Roy, French billionaire Vincent Bolloré has re-emerged from a fictive retirement to engineer a strategic overhaul of his listed media empire, Vivendi.
After seemingly passing on the reins of Vivendi to his sons Yannick and Cyrille last year, Bolloré stepped back in with a plan to split the French conglomerate into three businesses – pay TV group Canal+, advertising banner Havas and an investment vehicle comprising Lagardere Group — that would each be listed separately at the Paris stock exchange.
The supervisory board of Vivendi has approved the exploration of this three-way split which, if pursued, will see the Vivendi brand disappear along with Bolloré’s initial “synergy” strategy which was his mantra when he became the conglom’s largest shareholder in 2012. News of the forthcoming shift has been greeted with enthusiasm as Vivendi’s stock valuation climbed by 10% to €9.98 per share.
In the last 10 years,...
After seemingly passing on the reins of Vivendi to his sons Yannick and Cyrille last year, Bolloré stepped back in with a plan to split the French conglomerate into three businesses – pay TV group Canal+, advertising banner Havas and an investment vehicle comprising Lagardere Group — that would each be listed separately at the Paris stock exchange.
The supervisory board of Vivendi has approved the exploration of this three-way split which, if pursued, will see the Vivendi brand disappear along with Bolloré’s initial “synergy” strategy which was his mantra when he became the conglom’s largest shareholder in 2012. News of the forthcoming shift has been greeted with enthusiasm as Vivendi’s stock valuation climbed by 10% to €9.98 per share.
In the last 10 years,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
There was an unmistakable sense of opportunity in the air last week as international media movers and shakers convened in Cannes for the annual Mipcom market and conference.
Big European players in particular sense that openings are starting to emerge in what had been rigid business models and licensing protocols for the largest streaming platforms. The rush to cut costs and consolidate operations in the U.S. means that demand will be strong for imported content, ranging from unscripted shows in all shapes, formats and sizes as well as scripted series that can be offered a relatively low price point for U.S. buyers.
This was the big takeaway for me after three days of meetings, interviews, receptions and dinners on the beautiful Cote d’Azur. On the way home, I combined my passion for train travel with my love of yakking about the media business by capturing my thoughts...
Big European players in particular sense that openings are starting to emerge in what had been rigid business models and licensing protocols for the largest streaming platforms. The rush to cut costs and consolidate operations in the U.S. means that demand will be strong for imported content, ranging from unscripted shows in all shapes, formats and sizes as well as scripted series that can be offered a relatively low price point for U.S. buyers.
This was the big takeaway for me after three days of meetings, interviews, receptions and dinners on the beautiful Cote d’Azur. On the way home, I combined my passion for train travel with my love of yakking about the media business by capturing my thoughts...
- 10/26/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders. We’re back after a busy week in Cannes and Max Goldbart is here helming your weekly dose of news and analysis. Read on and sign up here.
Conflict Week Two
Here for the long haul: We are approaching the two-week anniversary of the bloody Hamas massacre on Israel, and there is now a terrifying recognition that the region is in it for the long haul. This week has been about attempted damage limitation as Israel takes revenge on its attackers and Western nations rush to stem the flow of a crisis that is so far estimated to have claimed around 5,000 lives. Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have both visited, attempting to walk a tightrope in pledging their support for Israel while stressing the need for international law to be observed and innocent Palestinian lives to be spared. Biden was the most successful, securing...
Conflict Week Two
Here for the long haul: We are approaching the two-week anniversary of the bloody Hamas massacre on Israel, and there is now a terrifying recognition that the region is in it for the long haul. This week has been about attempted damage limitation as Israel takes revenge on its attackers and Western nations rush to stem the flow of a crisis that is so far estimated to have claimed around 5,000 lives. Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have both visited, attempting to walk a tightrope in pledging their support for Israel while stressing the need for international law to be observed and innocent Palestinian lives to be spared. Biden was the most successful, securing...
- 10/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Pierre-Antoine Capton, the co-founder and CEO of Mediawan, was named Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron during a ceremony held at the Elysée Palace in Paris.
Capton was honored alongside other French figures who have made outstanding contributions to the country’s cultural landscape, including the filmmaker Costa Gavras, actor and novelist Marlène Jobert, contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, historian Pierre Nora, choreographer Claude Bessy, journalist Jean-Claude Narcy and conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus.
A former indie TV producer who rose through the ranks, Capton co-founded Mediawan with telco billionaire Xavier Niel and financier Matthieu Pigasse in 2015 and has turned it into an international powerhouse with a raft of strategic acquisitions, including France’s Ab Productions, the U.K.’s Drama Republic, Italy’s Palomar and Brad Pitt’s Plan B. The company, which is backed by Kkr and recently signed a €100m TV development deal with Entourage Ventures,...
Capton was honored alongside other French figures who have made outstanding contributions to the country’s cultural landscape, including the filmmaker Costa Gavras, actor and novelist Marlène Jobert, contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, historian Pierre Nora, choreographer Claude Bessy, journalist Jean-Claude Narcy and conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus.
A former indie TV producer who rose through the ranks, Capton co-founded Mediawan with telco billionaire Xavier Niel and financier Matthieu Pigasse in 2015 and has turned it into an international powerhouse with a raft of strategic acquisitions, including France’s Ab Productions, the U.K.’s Drama Republic, Italy’s Palomar and Brad Pitt’s Plan B. The company, which is backed by Kkr and recently signed a €100m TV development deal with Entourage Ventures,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Speaking at Mipcom, Bakish batted away industry talk that Paramount had been ‘saved’ by the strikes.
Paramount Global president and CEO Bob Bakish told Mipcom today that he is “optimistic” a deal will be reached to resolve the actors strike “in the near term”.
In a keynote talk after accepting the Mipcom Cannes Personality of the Year Award, Bakish referenced the breakdown of negotiations between Hollywood studios and actors’ union SAG-AFTRA last week, which dashed hopes that the three-month strike by performers would quickly come to an end.
“Yes, things broke down a bit last week, but they [SAG-AFTRA] want to be back on the table.
Paramount Global president and CEO Bob Bakish told Mipcom today that he is “optimistic” a deal will be reached to resolve the actors strike “in the near term”.
In a keynote talk after accepting the Mipcom Cannes Personality of the Year Award, Bakish referenced the breakdown of negotiations between Hollywood studios and actors’ union SAG-AFTRA last week, which dashed hopes that the three-month strike by performers would quickly come to an end.
“Yes, things broke down a bit last week, but they [SAG-AFTRA] want to be back on the table.
- 10/17/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
English language dub produced in accordance with SAG-AFTRA Foreign Dubbing Agreement.
GKids has unveiled the English-language voice cast on Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy And The Heron including Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe.
Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Mark Hamill, and Karen Fukuhara round out the roster on the dubbed version of the story about a teenage boy mourning his mother who enters a magical realm.
Luca Padovan joins the cast as Mahito Maki, and Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, and Dan Stevens are featured as the Parakeets.The film marks Studio Ghibli co-founder Miyazaki’s first feature in 10 years.
GKids has unveiled the English-language voice cast on Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy And The Heron including Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe.
Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Mark Hamill, and Karen Fukuhara round out the roster on the dubbed version of the story about a teenage boy mourning his mother who enters a magical realm.
Luca Padovan joins the cast as Mahito Maki, and Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, and Dan Stevens are featured as the Parakeets.The film marks Studio Ghibli co-founder Miyazaki’s first feature in 10 years.
- 10/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exec tells Mipcom he wants to increase the amount that Studiocanal invests in content.
Canal+ Group chairman and CEO Maxime Saada stressed his ambition to grow in-house production arm Studiocanal during a keynote address at Mipcom this week.
Saada said that Canal+ is still too dependent on acquiring third-party content, particularly premium film and sports rights.
He noted that Canal+ Group invests €3.5bn annually on content; of this Studiocanal spends €300m. “So less than 10% really is in-house on the producing side. It is not enough,” said Saada.
“I think one of the big moves going forward is for Studiocanal to...
Canal+ Group chairman and CEO Maxime Saada stressed his ambition to grow in-house production arm Studiocanal during a keynote address at Mipcom this week.
Saada said that Canal+ is still too dependent on acquiring third-party content, particularly premium film and sports rights.
He noted that Canal+ Group invests €3.5bn annually on content; of this Studiocanal spends €300m. “So less than 10% really is in-house on the producing side. It is not enough,” said Saada.
“I think one of the big moves going forward is for Studiocanal to...
- 10/17/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Canal+ Group chairman and CEO Maxime Saada, who was honored at Mipcom with the Variety Vanguard Award Monday, underscored how the experience of the past informs the company’s future strategy, which includes an emphasis on aggregation and a ramping up of in-house production. He also explained why he believes his company “owes so much to Netflix,” but fears Amazon and YouTube.
“If you want to talk about the last seven or eight years you have to think about the history of Canal+ because it has driven a lot of our actions. And one of the key elements regarding Canal+ is that it’s a company that has almost died several times,” he told Cynthia Littleton, Variety‘s co-editor-in-chief in an on-stage conversation.
He explained that the company, the first pay-tv operator in Europe, launched in 1984, and that initial success was rapidly followed by “a gigantic failure and for a...
“If you want to talk about the last seven or eight years you have to think about the history of Canal+ because it has driven a lot of our actions. And one of the key elements regarding Canal+ is that it’s a company that has almost died several times,” he told Cynthia Littleton, Variety‘s co-editor-in-chief in an on-stage conversation.
He explained that the company, the first pay-tv operator in Europe, launched in 1984, and that initial success was rapidly followed by “a gigantic failure and for a...
- 10/16/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Canal+ Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada has recalled how he travelled to Los Gatos with an olive branch six years ago.
In a keynote interview at Mipcom Cannes this past hour, Saada said his “obsession” with ensuring pay-tv giant Canal+ “stays alive” led him to travel to Netflix’s headquarters for a “very long conversation” with Reed Hastings.
Saada was trying to reduce Canal+’s dependency on its French pay business and diversify, and wanted to convince Hastings that the two companies could co-exist, even if both were chasing subscribers.
“I tried to convince him we were not necessarily competitors and that he was on the same side as Canal+ as he was trying to get people to pay for TV content,” he added.
Saada, who became Canal+ CEO in 2015, said his theory was ultimately correct as the two companies struck a carriage agreement in 2019. “Reed said we were competitors...
In a keynote interview at Mipcom Cannes this past hour, Saada said his “obsession” with ensuring pay-tv giant Canal+ “stays alive” led him to travel to Netflix’s headquarters for a “very long conversation” with Reed Hastings.
Saada was trying to reduce Canal+’s dependency on its French pay business and diversify, and wanted to convince Hastings that the two companies could co-exist, even if both were chasing subscribers.
“I tried to convince him we were not necessarily competitors and that he was on the same side as Canal+ as he was trying to get people to pay for TV content,” he added.
Saada, who became Canal+ CEO in 2015, said his theory was ultimately correct as the two companies struck a carriage agreement in 2019. “Reed said we were competitors...
- 10/16/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Around 70 delegates from Israel had been due to attend TV market, but majority have been unable to make it.
TV market Mipcom kicked off today with a reduced Israeli contingent and ‘elevated’ security measures in place following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
Lucy Smith, director of Mipcom, said that around 70 delegates from Israel were due to be attending but that the majority had been unable to make it.
“We are very heartened that there are several with us here today, and others who are continuing to exhibit with the support of their international teams,” said Smith, speaking ahead of...
TV market Mipcom kicked off today with a reduced Israeli contingent and ‘elevated’ security measures in place following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
Lucy Smith, director of Mipcom, said that around 70 delegates from Israel were due to be attending but that the majority had been unable to make it.
“We are very heartened that there are several with us here today, and others who are continuing to exhibit with the support of their international teams,” said Smith, speaking ahead of...
- 10/16/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Another year, another crossroads for the content business. As buyers and sellers gather in Cannes this week for Mipcom, change is in the air yet again on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the U.S., the largest media conglomerates are all in rebuilding mode, even the mighty Disney. The Europe and the U.K., on the other hand, the sense of opportunity is palpable as the largest streamers fight to compete on a global scale that has opened up doors for non-English language content.
The conference will kick off with Gerhard Zeiler, Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international, who will unveil roll out plans for its standalone service, Max, across Europe, including in France where local originals have been commissioned. Wbd made headlines in the run up to Mipcom due to an exodus of top-ranking executives that has made way to a new leadership structure for global markets.
In the U.S., the largest media conglomerates are all in rebuilding mode, even the mighty Disney. The Europe and the U.K., on the other hand, the sense of opportunity is palpable as the largest streamers fight to compete on a global scale that has opened up doors for non-English language content.
The conference will kick off with Gerhard Zeiler, Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international, who will unveil roll out plans for its standalone service, Max, across Europe, including in France where local originals have been commissioned. Wbd made headlines in the run up to Mipcom due to an exodus of top-ranking executives that has made way to a new leadership structure for global markets.
- 10/16/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes — Bowing at MipJunior both Season 3 of CG animated megahit “The Adventures of Paddington,” targeting free-to-air sales, as well as brand new toon titles such as “How To Squoosh” and “Scarlet Rose,” European powerhouse Studiocanal, owned by Vivendi’s Canal+ Group, is powering into the kids IP and premium series business, marking its most significant expansive strategic move since initiating premium TV production.
This supercharged kids TV drive looks set to play out in multiple ways at this year’s MipJunior trade fair, which unspools at Cannes over Oct. 13-15.
In one milestone move, on Oct. 6 top exec Françoise Guyonnet was named Studiocanal CEO Copyrights Group and EVP Kids’ Brands. Her appointment came just two days after Studiocanal unveiled a big new potential franchise, CGI animated series “Miffy.”
In another strategic departure, Studiocanal, working hand in hand with parent Canal+, is also growing a sales slate of premium but smaller animation IPs – “How To Squoosh,...
This supercharged kids TV drive looks set to play out in multiple ways at this year’s MipJunior trade fair, which unspools at Cannes over Oct. 13-15.
In one milestone move, on Oct. 6 top exec Françoise Guyonnet was named Studiocanal CEO Copyrights Group and EVP Kids’ Brands. Her appointment came just two days after Studiocanal unveiled a big new potential franchise, CGI animated series “Miffy.”
In another strategic departure, Studiocanal, working hand in hand with parent Canal+, is also growing a sales slate of premium but smaller animation IPs – “How To Squoosh,...
- 10/13/2023
- by John Hopewell and Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Questions (and concerns) about AI will come to the foreground at this year’s Mipcom international co-production and content market, which runs Oct. 16–19 in Cannes. Alongside the thousands of buyers and preeminent audiovisual execs expected to hit the mart, immersive producers, media regulators and legal experts will take the stage for an Oct. 17 “Unlocking AI” summit meant to address ethical concerns and better contextualize those two anxiety-inducing vowels on everyone’s mind.
“We are staging this summit because AI has universal importance in each of the 100 different countries that attend Mipcom,” says event director Lucy Smith. “And we hope our contributors can both demonstrate and demystify [the new technology].”
Hewing along more traditional lines, October’s edition will kick off with an event screening of the Secuoya Studios’ “Zorro,” a small screen comeback for the swashbuckling Don Diego de la Vega — here played by “Elite” and “1899” star Miguel Bernardeau — in a production...
“We are staging this summit because AI has universal importance in each of the 100 different countries that attend Mipcom,” says event director Lucy Smith. “And we hope our contributors can both demonstrate and demystify [the new technology].”
Hewing along more traditional lines, October’s edition will kick off with an event screening of the Secuoya Studios’ “Zorro,” a small screen comeback for the swashbuckling Don Diego de la Vega — here played by “Elite” and “1899” star Miguel Bernardeau — in a production...
- 10/12/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Sean Penn’s “C*A*U*G*H*T” has dropped out of the France-based TV trade conference MIPCOM due to war in Israel, according to multiple media reports.
Originally, the Australian series was supposed to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference on October 18. Penn, series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry were all supposed to be in attendance.
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at MIPCOM this year,” Fremantle said in a statement to Variety. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Set in Cannes, MIPCOM is an international conference for TV and entertainment executives. It features several keynote presentations as well as international premieres and takes place from October 16 to October 19. This year,...
Originally, the Australian series was supposed to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference on October 18. Penn, series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry were all supposed to be in attendance.
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at MIPCOM this year,” Fremantle said in a statement to Variety. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Set in Cannes, MIPCOM is an international conference for TV and entertainment executives. It features several keynote presentations as well as international premieres and takes place from October 16 to October 19. This year,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Clad in his familiar accessories of dark suspenders and tortoise-shell glasses, Canal+ Group Chairman & CEO Maxime Saada cuts a decorous and professorial figure, though the two framed posters of “Scarface” and “The Godfather” that decorate his office walls offer a slightly better insight into the chairman’s inner passions.
“[I follow] a logic of intensity,” Saada tells Variety. “As a payTV player, our main objective is not to broadcast content to the widest possible audience in order to lure to advertizers, nor to aim for consensus. We want to inspire passion and fervor, because reactions of ‘not bad’ do not encourage subscriptions.”
Saada is being honored at Mipcom with the Variety Vanguard Award.
Since taking the reins eight years ago, Saada has looked for new subscribers all across the globe, transforming the emblematic French brand into a significant international player that has grown from 11 million (almost entirely European) clients in 2015 to last year’s tally of 25.5 million,...
“[I follow] a logic of intensity,” Saada tells Variety. “As a payTV player, our main objective is not to broadcast content to the widest possible audience in order to lure to advertizers, nor to aim for consensus. We want to inspire passion and fervor, because reactions of ‘not bad’ do not encourage subscriptions.”
Saada is being honored at Mipcom with the Variety Vanguard Award.
Since taking the reins eight years ago, Saada has looked for new subscribers all across the globe, transforming the emblematic French brand into a significant international player that has grown from 11 million (almost entirely European) clients in 2015 to last year’s tally of 25.5 million,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Mipcom, the Cannes-set international TV showcase, will pay tribute to Arthur Essebag, the well-known French TV host and founder of Satisfaction Group. Essebag will receive the international format awards at a gala ceremony on Oct. 15.
Founded nearly 14 years ago, Satisfaction ranks as a leading purveyor of unscripted programs in its home market with over 1,000 hours of TV content which are produced through labels across 30 territories, including France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
Satisfaction recently ventured into English-language markets with a stake in Yes Yes Media, the company founded by Richard Bacon alongside Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sister Media. The outfit has also formed a joint venture with Fulwell 73, the U.K.-based production company behind “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
The event will organize for the first time a summit dedicated to AI with Anshul Kapoor, head of media broadcasting solutions at Google, Benjamin Field, Deep Fusion Films’ executive producer,...
Founded nearly 14 years ago, Satisfaction ranks as a leading purveyor of unscripted programs in its home market with over 1,000 hours of TV content which are produced through labels across 30 territories, including France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
Satisfaction recently ventured into English-language markets with a stake in Yes Yes Media, the company founded by Richard Bacon alongside Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sister Media. The outfit has also formed a joint venture with Fulwell 73, the U.K.-based production company behind “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
The event will organize for the first time a summit dedicated to AI with Anshul Kapoor, head of media broadcasting solutions at Google, Benjamin Field, Deep Fusion Films’ executive producer,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Tencent Online Video CEO Sun Zhonghuai to deliver keynote.
China will be the 2023 country of honour at the Mipcom content market, which will take place in Cannes from October 16-19.
Sun Zhonghua, the vice president of Tencent, and CEO of Tencent Online Video, will give a keynote speech as one of the conference’s Media Mastermind series.
Further events include Fresh Content China, a session presented by the China Pavilion, featuring the country’s latest output alongside speakers from the China TV industry.
There will also be masterclasses on format adaptations in China and the use of latest technology within production,...
China will be the 2023 country of honour at the Mipcom content market, which will take place in Cannes from October 16-19.
Sun Zhonghua, the vice president of Tencent, and CEO of Tencent Online Video, will give a keynote speech as one of the conference’s Media Mastermind series.
Further events include Fresh Content China, a session presented by the China Pavilion, featuring the country’s latest output alongside speakers from the China TV industry.
There will also be masterclasses on format adaptations in China and the use of latest technology within production,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Maxime Saada, the chair and CEO of Canal+ Group, will receive the Variety Vanguard Award at the Mipcom international content sales conference set for Oct. 16-19 in Cannes.
The award recognizes television industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to the global business of entertainment. Saada will receive the award, presented by Variety and Mipcom, on Oct. 16 as part of his keynote conversation at the Palais de Festivals, moderated by Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton.
Under Saada’s watch, Canal+ Group has significantly ramped up its international footprint from 11 million subscribers in 2015 to 25.5 million in 2022 across more than 50 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. The company recently took a 12% stake in Scandinavian streamer Viaplay, as well as 26.1% in in Viu, a leading streaming service in Asia. Canal+ previously acquired the pay-tv broadcaster M7 for over €1 billion ($1.01 billion), launched in Ethiopia and Austria in 2021, and became the leading shareholder...
The award recognizes television industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to the global business of entertainment. Saada will receive the award, presented by Variety and Mipcom, on Oct. 16 as part of his keynote conversation at the Palais de Festivals, moderated by Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton.
Under Saada’s watch, Canal+ Group has significantly ramped up its international footprint from 11 million subscribers in 2015 to 25.5 million in 2022 across more than 50 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. The company recently took a 12% stake in Scandinavian streamer Viaplay, as well as 26.1% in in Viu, a leading streaming service in Asia. Canal+ previously acquired the pay-tv broadcaster M7 for over €1 billion ($1.01 billion), launched in Ethiopia and Austria in 2021, and became the leading shareholder...
- 9/11/2023
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
The French pay-TV giant also announced a surprise film festival-focused channel.
French pay-tv powerhouse Canal Plus unveiled its autumn line-up in Paris this week and announced a new channel devoted to films from well-known directors selected at global festivals called Canal+ Cinema(s) that will launch on September 1 alongside Canal+ Box Office.
The latter will feature primarily blockbusters from the US majors in addition to crowd-pleasing local fare, capitalising on themedia chronology that allows Canal+ to air films six months after their theatrical release, a major leg up compared to fellow streamers inlcuding Netflix and Prime Video that have to wait 15-17 months.
French pay-tv powerhouse Canal Plus unveiled its autumn line-up in Paris this week and announced a new channel devoted to films from well-known directors selected at global festivals called Canal+ Cinema(s) that will launch on September 1 alongside Canal+ Box Office.
The latter will feature primarily blockbusters from the US majors in addition to crowd-pleasing local fare, capitalising on themedia chronology that allows Canal+ to air films six months after their theatrical release, a major leg up compared to fellow streamers inlcuding Netflix and Prime Video that have to wait 15-17 months.
- 6/29/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
French media giant expands focus on Asian market.
France’s Canal+ has taken a significant stake in regional streamer Viu.
Canal+ is making a staggered investment of $300m in Viu, which has a presence in Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa and is backed by Hong Kong-based Pccw.
The deal sees Canal+ make an initial investment of $200m for a 26.1% stake in Viu. In addition to the $300m, a further investment option could see Canal+ lift its stake in Viu to 51%.
Viu has 12 million paid subscribers and offers advertising video on demand (AVoD) and subscription video on demand (SVoD...
France’s Canal+ has taken a significant stake in regional streamer Viu.
Canal+ is making a staggered investment of $300m in Viu, which has a presence in Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa and is backed by Hong Kong-based Pccw.
The deal sees Canal+ make an initial investment of $200m for a 26.1% stake in Viu. In addition to the $300m, a further investment option could see Canal+ lift its stake in Viu to 51%.
Viu has 12 million paid subscribers and offers advertising video on demand (AVoD) and subscription video on demand (SVoD...
- 6/21/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Pccw and Canal+ have announced a strategic partnership through which the French media giant will become a significant minority shareholder in Pccw’s Asian streaming service Viu.
Canal+ will make a staggered investment of $300M in Viu, including an initial investment of $200M, resulting in a 26.1% stake. It also has an option to make a further investment and turn that stake into a controlling 51%.
In a statement, Canal+ talked expansion opportunities and plans to collaborate with Viu on premium production:
“This new strategic partnership will enable the further growth of Viu, leveraging the global strength and expertise of Canal+ through various initiatives including collaboration on premium productions and content creation, expansion of global market reach for Viu, and continual user experience improvement. The partnership will allow Canal+ to take a major step in developing Asia as its next growth engine.”
Viu is one of Asia’s leading streamers with more...
Canal+ will make a staggered investment of $300M in Viu, including an initial investment of $200M, resulting in a 26.1% stake. It also has an option to make a further investment and turn that stake into a controlling 51%.
In a statement, Canal+ talked expansion opportunities and plans to collaborate with Viu on premium production:
“This new strategic partnership will enable the further growth of Viu, leveraging the global strength and expertise of Canal+ through various initiatives including collaboration on premium productions and content creation, expansion of global market reach for Viu, and continual user experience improvement. The partnership will allow Canal+ to take a major step in developing Asia as its next growth engine.”
Viu is one of Asia’s leading streamers with more...
- 6/21/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
France’s Canal+ is getting into the Asian streaming business.
The French pay-tv giant revealed Wednesday that it is buying a 26.1 percent stake in Hong Kong-based Ott video service Viu for $200 million as part of a staggered investment of $300 million, subject to certain conditions. As part of the deal, Canal+ also has the option of paying an additional sum to up its stake to 51 percent.
The partners said the deal “will allow Canal+ to take a major step in developing Asia as its next growth engine.”
Launched in 2015 with backing from Hong Kong’s telecom company Pccw, Viu’s video service offers both advertising and subscription-supported options in 16 territories in Asia, the Middle East and South Africa. The company says it has over 66 million monthly active users and 12 million paid subscribers. The bulk of those users are believed to be based in Asia.
Viu has specialized in licensing and producing original Korean content,...
The French pay-tv giant revealed Wednesday that it is buying a 26.1 percent stake in Hong Kong-based Ott video service Viu for $200 million as part of a staggered investment of $300 million, subject to certain conditions. As part of the deal, Canal+ also has the option of paying an additional sum to up its stake to 51 percent.
The partners said the deal “will allow Canal+ to take a major step in developing Asia as its next growth engine.”
Launched in 2015 with backing from Hong Kong’s telecom company Pccw, Viu’s video service offers both advertising and subscription-supported options in 16 territories in Asia, the Middle East and South Africa. The company says it has over 66 million monthly active users and 12 million paid subscribers. The bulk of those users are believed to be based in Asia.
Viu has specialized in licensing and producing original Korean content,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
French pay-tv giant Canal+ is to take a significant minority stake in successful Asian streaming firm Viu. It could end up becoming its majority owner.
Viu, a start-up backed by Hong Kong’s Pccw, currently operates with a fremium model in 16 territories in Asia and the Middle East. It said that it is hatching a “strategic partnership” with Canal+ in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Canal+ is to pay $200 million for an initial 26.1% stake in Viu and will make a total staggered investment of $300 million. Beyond that, Canal+ has an option to increase its stake to 51%.
Viu currently claims over 66 million monthly active users (Mau) and 12 million paid subscribers. Within the narrower Southeast Asian region, it ranks as the top video streaming platform in terms of Mau and second, behind Disney+, in terms of subscribers and streaming minutes amongst both global and regional players.
In 2022, Viu recorded over $250 million in revenue,...
Viu, a start-up backed by Hong Kong’s Pccw, currently operates with a fremium model in 16 territories in Asia and the Middle East. It said that it is hatching a “strategic partnership” with Canal+ in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Canal+ is to pay $200 million for an initial 26.1% stake in Viu and will make a total staggered investment of $300 million. Beyond that, Canal+ has an option to increase its stake to 51%.
Viu currently claims over 66 million monthly active users (Mau) and 12 million paid subscribers. Within the narrower Southeast Asian region, it ranks as the top video streaming platform in terms of Mau and second, behind Disney+, in terms of subscribers and streaming minutes amongst both global and regional players.
In 2022, Viu recorded over $250 million in revenue,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: StudioCanal has acquired a minority stake in The Picture Company, the production venture run by partners Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman that has generated a steady stream of genre and action hits under a first-look deal with Europe’s leading production and distribution studio.
Aside from the stake in the company, StudioCanal has closed a new five-year overall deal with the producers. The goal of all this is to scale up The Picture Company to be an even more prolific supplier of films with global appeal. The relationship between the companies began in 2015. Rona and Heineman will continue to make films, and lean in on TV series as well that they generate and that are part of StudioCanal’s vast library.
Deal was closed at Cannes by StudioCanal CEO Anna Marsh.
Marsh said the development of The Picture Company as a major Hollywood-based supplier for StudioCanal coincides with a...
Aside from the stake in the company, StudioCanal has closed a new five-year overall deal with the producers. The goal of all this is to scale up The Picture Company to be an even more prolific supplier of films with global appeal. The relationship between the companies began in 2015. Rona and Heineman will continue to make films, and lean in on TV series as well that they generate and that are part of StudioCanal’s vast library.
Deal was closed at Cannes by StudioCanal CEO Anna Marsh.
Marsh said the development of The Picture Company as a major Hollywood-based supplier for StudioCanal coincides with a...
- 5/22/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Thomas Follin, the former director general of shuttered French streaming platform Salto, has joined France’s Canal+ Group in the role of Chief Global Transformation Officer.
His mission will be to accelerate recent growth and create synergies and cooperation across the group.
Underlining its recent trajectory, Canal+ noted that it counted 11 million subscribers across 14 territories in 2016, which had risen to 25.5 million subscribers in 50 territories by the end of 2022.
“Thomas Follin will be tasked with accelerating the Group’s transformation to be even stronger in a rapidly changing market, strengthening its integration and the pooling of its strategic assets,” the group said in a statement.
He will be particularly responsible for overseeing the pooling of efforts to create and produce audiovisual content for all of the group’s different territories, alongside Anna Marsh and separate territory heads, read the release.
Follin arrives at the Canal+ Group from Salto, the streaming service...
His mission will be to accelerate recent growth and create synergies and cooperation across the group.
Underlining its recent trajectory, Canal+ noted that it counted 11 million subscribers across 14 territories in 2016, which had risen to 25.5 million subscribers in 50 territories by the end of 2022.
“Thomas Follin will be tasked with accelerating the Group’s transformation to be even stronger in a rapidly changing market, strengthening its integration and the pooling of its strategic assets,” the group said in a statement.
He will be particularly responsible for overseeing the pooling of efforts to create and produce audiovisual content for all of the group’s different territories, alongside Anna Marsh and separate territory heads, read the release.
Follin arrives at the Canal+ Group from Salto, the streaming service...
- 5/5/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+ has struck a multi-year content deal with Canal+ in France and will become available to all Canal+ subs in the nation plus other European territories.
From next week, new Canal+ subscribers will see the Severance, Morning Show and Ted Lasso SVoD included within their subscription.
All Apple TV+ shows will be able to be viewed on myCanal while, in addition, the multi-year agreement will see Apple TV+ originals such as Foundation and Tehran broadcast on the Canal+ channel.
The deal, which also applies to French-speaking Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, is the first of its kind for Apple TV+ in France and gives the growing streamer access to a large subscriber base in a major territory. Apple has been expanding outside the U.S. of late and high-profile non-u.S. shows include the likes of French/English language Vincent Cassel and Eva Green-starrer Liaison and Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters.
From next week, new Canal+ subscribers will see the Severance, Morning Show and Ted Lasso SVoD included within their subscription.
All Apple TV+ shows will be able to be viewed on myCanal while, in addition, the multi-year agreement will see Apple TV+ originals such as Foundation and Tehran broadcast on the Canal+ channel.
The deal, which also applies to French-speaking Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, is the first of its kind for Apple TV+ in France and gives the growing streamer access to a large subscriber base in a major territory. Apple has been expanding outside the U.S. of late and high-profile non-u.S. shows include the likes of French/English language Vincent Cassel and Eva Green-starrer Liaison and Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters.
- 4/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple and Canal+ have signed a landmark deal that will bring Apple TV+ to all Canal+ subscribers in France, along with some other European territories.
The deal is different from the aggregation agreements that Canal+ has in place with other streamers such as Disney+ and Netflix, whose offers are being accessible as part of the French pay TV operator’s bundle.
Under the pact, Apple TV+ will be available at no extra cost to Canal+ subs from April 20. Canal+ customers can seamlessly and easily access the films and series of Apple TV+ directly on their existing set-top box — with no separate app or subscription necessary. This is a multi-territory agreement for France, French speaking-Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Speaking to Variety, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP of services, and Maxime Saada, Canal+ chairman and CEO of Canal+ Group, said they’ve known each other for years and celebrated the idea of tying the knot.
The deal is different from the aggregation agreements that Canal+ has in place with other streamers such as Disney+ and Netflix, whose offers are being accessible as part of the French pay TV operator’s bundle.
Under the pact, Apple TV+ will be available at no extra cost to Canal+ subs from April 20. Canal+ customers can seamlessly and easily access the films and series of Apple TV+ directly on their existing set-top box — with no separate app or subscription necessary. This is a multi-territory agreement for France, French speaking-Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Speaking to Variety, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP of services, and Maxime Saada, Canal+ chairman and CEO of Canal+ Group, said they’ve known each other for years and celebrated the idea of tying the knot.
- 4/13/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: On the heels of an incredibly successful run with his Aubrey Plaza-led feature directorial debut Emily the Criminal, John Patton Ford will team with StudioCanal and Blueprint Pictures for Huntington, Deadline hears.
Related Story John Boyega To Star In Sci-Fi ‘The Freshening’ For ‘Birds Of Prey’ Director Cathy Yan; FilmNation, Ali Wong & Adam McKay Producing Related Story StudioCanal Invests In 'The Last Kingdom' & 'Code 404' Producer Phil Temple's Birdie Pictures Related Story Canal+ Group CEO Maxime Saada Lays Out Commitment To Cinema: "2023 Will Be The Most Beautiful Year For Cinema In The History Of Canal+"
The film written and to be directed by Ford reunites the companies following their work together on the Netflix holiday pic A Boy Called Christmas and the upcoming Wicked Little Letters. The StudioCanal development, loosely inspired by the studio’s iconic Ealing Comedy library title Kind Hearts and Coronets,...
Related Story John Boyega To Star In Sci-Fi ‘The Freshening’ For ‘Birds Of Prey’ Director Cathy Yan; FilmNation, Ali Wong & Adam McKay Producing Related Story StudioCanal Invests In 'The Last Kingdom' & 'Code 404' Producer Phil Temple's Birdie Pictures Related Story Canal+ Group CEO Maxime Saada Lays Out Commitment To Cinema: "2023 Will Be The Most Beautiful Year For Cinema In The History Of Canal+"
The film written and to be directed by Ford reunites the companies following their work together on the Netflix holiday pic A Boy Called Christmas and the upcoming Wicked Little Letters. The StudioCanal development, loosely inspired by the studio’s iconic Ealing Comedy library title Kind Hearts and Coronets,...
- 3/8/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada stresses that film ‘defines’ Canal+.
French media powerhouse Canal+ has pledged to invest €1bn in cinema in the next five years and has showcased its high profile production slate for 2023.
“2023 will be the best year for cinema in Canal+ history,” Canal+ chairman and CEO Maxime Saada declared at a press event in Paris on Wednesday, which focused on the group’s investment in the country’s seventh art.
Saada’s pledge to spend €1bn spend is in line with the group’s previously announced plans to invest €200m per year in film, and includes €20-...
French media powerhouse Canal+ has pledged to invest €1bn in cinema in the next five years and has showcased its high profile production slate for 2023.
“2023 will be the best year for cinema in Canal+ history,” Canal+ chairman and CEO Maxime Saada declared at a press event in Paris on Wednesday, which focused on the group’s investment in the country’s seventh art.
Saada’s pledge to spend €1bn spend is in line with the group’s previously announced plans to invest €200m per year in film, and includes €20-...
- 2/16/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada stresses that film ‘defines’ Canal+.
French media powerhouse Canal+ has pledged to invest €1 billion in cinema in the next five years and has showcased its high profile production slate for 2023.
“2023 will be the best year for cinema in Canal+ history,” Canal+ chairman and CEO Maxime Saada declared at a press event in Paris on Wednesday, which focused on the group’s investment in the country’s seventh art.
Saada’s pledge to spend €1 billion spend is in line with the group’s previously announced plans to invest €200m per year in film, and includes €20-...
French media powerhouse Canal+ has pledged to invest €1 billion in cinema in the next five years and has showcased its high profile production slate for 2023.
“2023 will be the best year for cinema in Canal+ history,” Canal+ chairman and CEO Maxime Saada declared at a press event in Paris on Wednesday, which focused on the group’s investment in the country’s seventh art.
Saada’s pledge to spend €1 billion spend is in line with the group’s previously announced plans to invest €200m per year in film, and includes €20-...
- 2/16/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
French pay-tv giant Canal+ went on the offensive at a special event in Paris on Wednesday, promoting its historic role as the biggest supporter of local and international cinema in France and laying out its past track record and future plans.
The roadshow-style conference was part of an operation laying the ground for the launch of a new high-end, cinema-focused channel Canal+ Box Office which was teased at the end of the event.
“2023 will be the most beautiful year for cinema in the history of Canal+. We’ve never held an event like this before devoted only to cinema, but we felt the need to talk about this,” declared Canal+ Group Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada.
The exec said the banner year was due to three factors, topped by the agreement it signed with the French cinema guilds in early 2022, pledging to invest at least €200M (213M) annually in cinema over five years.
The roadshow-style conference was part of an operation laying the ground for the launch of a new high-end, cinema-focused channel Canal+ Box Office which was teased at the end of the event.
“2023 will be the most beautiful year for cinema in the history of Canal+. We’ve never held an event like this before devoted only to cinema, but we felt the need to talk about this,” declared Canal+ Group Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada.
The exec said the banner year was due to three factors, topped by the agreement it signed with the French cinema guilds in early 2022, pledging to invest at least €200M (213M) annually in cinema over five years.
- 2/15/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
French media and entertainment conglomerate Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group has agreed to acquire production arm Orange Studio and full ownership of TV channels unit Ocs from French telecom company Orange.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The content division Orange Studio co-produces films and distributes them in France, while selling them abroad. “Orange Studio has more than 200 co-productions to its credit as well as a catalog of nearly 1,800 audiovisual and cinematographic works, including Oscar-winning and emblematic films such as The Artist and The Father,” the companies said.
Canal Plus, led by CEO Maxime Saada, already owns a third of Ocs, which operates several networks, and has boosted the latter’s reach by distributing it through its pay TV bundle since 2011.
Ocs has an exclusive output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO, which expires this year. Observers have suggested that Canal Plus would likely look to strike a new deal...
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The content division Orange Studio co-produces films and distributes them in France, while selling them abroad. “Orange Studio has more than 200 co-productions to its credit as well as a catalog of nearly 1,800 audiovisual and cinematographic works, including Oscar-winning and emblematic films such as The Artist and The Father,” the companies said.
Canal Plus, led by CEO Maxime Saada, already owns a third of Ocs, which operates several networks, and has boosted the latter’s reach by distributing it through its pay TV bundle since 2011.
Ocs has an exclusive output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO, which expires this year. Observers have suggested that Canal Plus would likely look to strike a new deal...
- 1/9/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
France’s Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak told a film industry gathering on Thursday that new windowing rules, which came into force in February, were already retrograde in the fast-changing film, TV and streaming landscape, and need to be updated rapidly.
“Thanks to your precious work and a long consultation, we managed to come up with a new media chronology, but it has already been impacted by the decisions of certain actors, or rather the wishes of certain actors who want to see it evolve more rapidly,” said Abdul Malak.
“We need to collectively reflect on that… to see if an evolution of this chronology can reinforce the interests of the entire (cinema) chain,” she continued.
France’s notoriously strict release windows legislation underwent a radical overhaul after hard-fought, decade-long negotiations between all the main stakeholders in the local film and TV industries.
Under the new framework, most of...
“Thanks to your precious work and a long consultation, we managed to come up with a new media chronology, but it has already been impacted by the decisions of certain actors, or rather the wishes of certain actors who want to see it evolve more rapidly,” said Abdul Malak.
“We need to collectively reflect on that… to see if an evolution of this chronology can reinforce the interests of the entire (cinema) chain,” she continued.
France’s notoriously strict release windows legislation underwent a radical overhaul after hard-fought, decade-long negotiations between all the main stakeholders in the local film and TV industries.
Under the new framework, most of...
- 11/3/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Alix Lebrat to oversee development of international dramas and factual formats.
Studiocanal has promoted senior vice president English speaking TV series to chief operating officer of TV series.
Paris-based Alix Lebrat will oversee international series with a focus on English-language formats, pushing for more drama, factual and kids’ productions within Studiocanal’s production companies which include Red Production Company (Ridley Road) and Tandem (The Defeated).
Lebrat been with the business since March 2020, developing international TV series in coordination with the executive vice president of global production Ron Halpern.
Around a year ago, the distribution side of the business, which specialises in scripted formats,...
Studiocanal has promoted senior vice president English speaking TV series to chief operating officer of TV series.
Paris-based Alix Lebrat will oversee international series with a focus on English-language formats, pushing for more drama, factual and kids’ productions within Studiocanal’s production companies which include Red Production Company (Ridley Road) and Tandem (The Defeated).
Lebrat been with the business since March 2020, developing international TV series in coordination with the executive vice president of global production Ron Halpern.
Around a year ago, the distribution side of the business, which specialises in scripted formats,...
- 10/6/2022
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
Anna Marsh has been named deputy CEO of French pay-tv giant Canal+ Group.
The appointment continues Marsh’s sharp rise up the ranks of Vivendi’s film and TV powerhouse, having joined its subsidiary StudioCanal in 2008 where she held the positions of head of international sales and managing director of StudioCanal UK, before being named CEO in 2019. In February of this year, she was appointed member of the Canal+ Group management board.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Marsh as deputy CEO of Canal+ Group,” said Maxime Saada, chairman of the Canal+ group executive board. “Thanks to her and her teams, StudioCanal now occupies a central position within the film and audiovisual industry. In 2022, in addition to further consolidating its presence in all its territories, StudioCanal has continued its growth, notably with the acquisition of a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks in Benelux.
Anna Marsh has been named deputy CEO of French pay-tv giant Canal+ Group.
The appointment continues Marsh’s sharp rise up the ranks of Vivendi’s film and TV powerhouse, having joined its subsidiary StudioCanal in 2008 where she held the positions of head of international sales and managing director of StudioCanal UK, before being named CEO in 2019. In February of this year, she was appointed member of the Canal+ Group management board.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Marsh as deputy CEO of Canal+ Group,” said Maxime Saada, chairman of the Canal+ group executive board. “Thanks to her and her teams, StudioCanal now occupies a central position within the film and audiovisual industry. In 2022, in addition to further consolidating its presence in all its territories, StudioCanal has continued its growth, notably with the acquisition of a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks in Benelux.
- 10/3/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh has been upped to deputy CEO of the Canal+ Group.
The New Zealand-born executive has been with the company since 2008, when she first joined Studiocanal. She has previously held the positions of head of international sales and managing director of Studiocanal U.K. In 2019 she became CEO of Studiocanal, which is the production, distribution and sales subsidiary of Canal+ Group, and in February of this year was appointed to Canal+ Group’s management board.
Before joining the group Marsh, who has almost 20 years experience in the industry, worked at Tele Images Productions (Marathon group) in the international sales department and TF1, where she was international sales manager.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Marsh as Deputy CEO of Canal+ Group,” said Maxime Saada, chairman of Canal+ Group’s executive board. “Thanks to her and her teams, Studiocanal now occupies a central position...
The New Zealand-born executive has been with the company since 2008, when she first joined Studiocanal. She has previously held the positions of head of international sales and managing director of Studiocanal U.K. In 2019 she became CEO of Studiocanal, which is the production, distribution and sales subsidiary of Canal+ Group, and in February of this year was appointed to Canal+ Group’s management board.
Before joining the group Marsh, who has almost 20 years experience in the industry, worked at Tele Images Productions (Marathon group) in the international sales department and TF1, where she was international sales manager.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Marsh as Deputy CEO of Canal+ Group,” said Maxime Saada, chairman of Canal+ Group’s executive board. “Thanks to her and her teams, Studiocanal now occupies a central position...
- 10/3/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Marsh named as deputy to Canal+ chief Maxime Saada.
Anna Marsh has been appointed deputy CEO of French pay-tv powerhouse Canal+ Group.
Marsh joined the group’s film and TV arm Studiocanal in 2008 as VP of international sales and has quickly risen through the ranks.
In 2013, she was promoted to head of international distribution strategy and shortly after to head of international sales. She was named EVP of international distribution in 2017, managing director of Studiocanal UK in March 2019 and CEO of Studiocanal in December 2019. She was appointed to the Canal+ Group’s management board in February of this year.
Marsh...
Anna Marsh has been appointed deputy CEO of French pay-tv powerhouse Canal+ Group.
Marsh joined the group’s film and TV arm Studiocanal in 2008 as VP of international sales and has quickly risen through the ranks.
In 2013, she was promoted to head of international distribution strategy and shortly after to head of international sales. She was named EVP of international distribution in 2017, managing director of Studiocanal UK in March 2019 and CEO of Studiocanal in December 2019. She was appointed to the Canal+ Group’s management board in February of this year.
Marsh...
- 10/3/2022
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Long-serving Studiocanal exec, Anna Marsh, has been appointed Deputy CEO of Canal+ Group. Marsh joined the company’s production, distribution and international sales subsidiary, Studiocanal, in 2008 where she held such titles as Head of International Sales and Managing Director of Studiocanal UK, before being appointed CEO of Studiocanal in 2019.
Maxime Saada, Chairman of the Canal+ Group Executive Board commented, “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Marsh as Deputy CEO of Canal+ Group. Thanks to her and her teams, Studiocanal now occupies a central position within the film and audiovisual industry. In 2022, in addition to further consolidating its presence in all its territories, Studiocanal has continued its growth, notably with the acquisition of a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks in Benelux. Anna Marsh is a great professional, and a passionate person, whom the Group is proud to count among its own. This appointment is a new illustration...
Maxime Saada, Chairman of the Canal+ Group Executive Board commented, “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Marsh as Deputy CEO of Canal+ Group. Thanks to her and her teams, Studiocanal now occupies a central position within the film and audiovisual industry. In 2022, in addition to further consolidating its presence in all its territories, Studiocanal has continued its growth, notably with the acquisition of a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks in Benelux. Anna Marsh is a great professional, and a passionate person, whom the Group is proud to count among its own. This appointment is a new illustration...
- 10/3/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Canal+, France’s leading pay TV group, has signed distribution deals with Universal and Sony to ramp up its programming of U.S. movies.
Under the pact, Canal+ now has access to the studios’ new films six months after their releases, a spokesperson told Variety. Sony’s “Spiderman : No Way Home” is currently being broadcast on Canal+’s linear pay TV channels, along with its transactional VOD platform, My Canal.
The news was teased by Maxime Saada, Canal+ Group’s chair and CEO, during the company’s upbeat press conference on Sept. 14, which was held at their posh headquarters in Paris. Saada, who recently joined the management board of Vivendi, Canal Plus Group’s parent company, said the outfit already boasts partnerships with Fox, Disney and Warner, as well as Paramount.
Canal+ also has a six-month window on French movies. The company previously had to wait 9 months after the...
Under the pact, Canal+ now has access to the studios’ new films six months after their releases, a spokesperson told Variety. Sony’s “Spiderman : No Way Home” is currently being broadcast on Canal+’s linear pay TV channels, along with its transactional VOD platform, My Canal.
The news was teased by Maxime Saada, Canal+ Group’s chair and CEO, during the company’s upbeat press conference on Sept. 14, which was held at their posh headquarters in Paris. Saada, who recently joined the management board of Vivendi, Canal Plus Group’s parent company, said the outfit already boasts partnerships with Fox, Disney and Warner, as well as Paramount.
Canal+ also has a six-month window on French movies. The company previously had to wait 9 months after the...
- 9/15/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Maxime Saada, the chairman and CEO of Canal+ Group and chair of its film and TV subsidiary Studiocanal, has joined the management board of Vivendi.
The arrival of Saada within Vivendi’s management board is part of the company’s recent strategic moves and underscores its ambition to continue growing its international scope and focus on content, media and communications. The management board, which remains chaired by Arnaud de Puyfontaine (who is also CEO), welcomed several other new members alongside Saada.
Last month, Vivendi, whose supervisory board is chaired by Yannick Bolloré, launched a takeover bid for Lagardère, the French publishing and travel retail conglomerate, following the distribution of 60 of the share capital of Universal Music Group and its listing on the Amsterdam stock exchange.
“I am truly honoured to join Vivendi’s management board under the leadership of Yannick Bolloré and Arnaud de Puyfontaine. I am eager to accelerate the transformation,...
The arrival of Saada within Vivendi’s management board is part of the company’s recent strategic moves and underscores its ambition to continue growing its international scope and focus on content, media and communications. The management board, which remains chaired by Arnaud de Puyfontaine (who is also CEO), welcomed several other new members alongside Saada.
Last month, Vivendi, whose supervisory board is chaired by Yannick Bolloré, launched a takeover bid for Lagardère, the French publishing and travel retail conglomerate, following the distribution of 60 of the share capital of Universal Music Group and its listing on the Amsterdam stock exchange.
“I am truly honoured to join Vivendi’s management board under the leadership of Yannick Bolloré and Arnaud de Puyfontaine. I am eager to accelerate the transformation,...
- 7/6/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Elizabeth Banks Pic Sells For Protagonist
Protagonist Pictures has closed multiple deals on Phyllis Nagy’s Sundance and Berlin title Call Jane, starring Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Mara and Chris Messina. Deals include Dcm for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Umbrella Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand, Mis.label for Scandinavia, Eagle for Italy, Shaw for Singapore and Empire for South Africa. Roadside Attractions acquired U.S. distribution rights to Nagy’s directorial debut following its launch at Sundance. The film had already sold well internationally. In Call Jane, Joy (Banks), a traditional 1960s housewife, unexpectedly falls pregnant. She then finds the Janes, an underground abortion movement led by Virginia (Weaver). The group saves her life and gives her a sense of purpose: to help other women take control of their destinies.
The Pantani Affair Inks U.S. & France Deals
Exclusive: Iuvit Media Sales has closed deals for drama The...
Protagonist Pictures has closed multiple deals on Phyllis Nagy’s Sundance and Berlin title Call Jane, starring Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Mara and Chris Messina. Deals include Dcm for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Umbrella Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand, Mis.label for Scandinavia, Eagle for Italy, Shaw for Singapore and Empire for South Africa. Roadside Attractions acquired U.S. distribution rights to Nagy’s directorial debut following its launch at Sundance. The film had already sold well internationally. In Call Jane, Joy (Banks), a traditional 1960s housewife, unexpectedly falls pregnant. She then finds the Janes, an underground abortion movement led by Virginia (Weaver). The group saves her life and gives her a sense of purpose: to help other women take control of their destinies.
The Pantani Affair Inks U.S. & France Deals
Exclusive: Iuvit Media Sales has closed deals for drama The...
- 2/11/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Vivendi-owned pay TV group Canal Plus has signed a pact with France’s film guilds on Thursday to invest €600 million ($680 million) in French and European films from 2022 to 2024.
Under the agreement, Canal Plus will have to dedicate 85% of the $680 million to French films over the next three years. The pact, which took six months to come to fruition, was signed by Canal Plus CEO Maxime Saada and France’s main film unions, the Arp, Blic and Bloc, representing everyone from authors to directors, producers, distributors and exhibitors.
The group has been considered as France’s biggest backer of French movies for the last 30 years and has been bound by investment agreements, as are all French TV groups. As a pay TV company, Canal Plus has had to invest 12.5% of its annual turnover on French and European films. But as the group took a hit from the launch of global streaming services such as Netflix,...
Under the agreement, Canal Plus will have to dedicate 85% of the $680 million to French films over the next three years. The pact, which took six months to come to fruition, was signed by Canal Plus CEO Maxime Saada and France’s main film unions, the Arp, Blic and Bloc, representing everyone from authors to directors, producers, distributors and exhibitors.
The group has been considered as France’s biggest backer of French movies for the last 30 years and has been bound by investment agreements, as are all French TV groups. As a pay TV company, Canal Plus has had to invest 12.5% of its annual turnover on French and European films. But as the group took a hit from the launch of global streaming services such as Netflix,...
- 12/2/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
After breaking ground in France, Franck Gastambide’s hit Canal Plus show “All the Way Up” (“Validé”), a comedy drama series unfolding on France’s vibrant rap scene, is set to roll out around the world. Canneseries opened Friday with season two of the show.
Studiocanal has sold the edgy title to WarnerMedia Latin America, exclusively for HBO Max, and to Radio-Canada.
HBO Max, which recently launched in 39 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, will premiere season one of the half-hour series. Radio-Canada’s Ott platform Ici Tou.TV Extra has acquired both the first and second seasons.
The show marked the TV debut of Gastambide, one of France’s most successful directors who previously delivered top-grossing local comedies such as “Porn in the Hood” (“Les Kaira”), “Pattaya” and the latest instalment of the action franchise “Taxi 5.” And like everything Gastambide is doing, the series has gone viral,...
Studiocanal has sold the edgy title to WarnerMedia Latin America, exclusively for HBO Max, and to Radio-Canada.
HBO Max, which recently launched in 39 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, will premiere season one of the half-hour series. Radio-Canada’s Ott platform Ici Tou.TV Extra has acquired both the first and second seasons.
The show marked the TV debut of Gastambide, one of France’s most successful directors who previously delivered top-grossing local comedies such as “Porn in the Hood” (“Les Kaira”), “Pattaya” and the latest instalment of the action franchise “Taxi 5.” And like everything Gastambide is doing, the series has gone viral,...
- 10/11/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
European film-tv powerhouse Studiocanal and The Picture Company are developing “Bedroom Window,” adapting the novel that inspired Curtis Hanson’s 1987 movie, with scribe Abby Ajayi set to write the script, the latest project from one of the most productive of Europe-u.S. film production alliances.
Hanson’s original movie forms part of the nearly 6,000-title film library at Studiocanal whose exploitation is a strategic priority for Studiocanal, owned by Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group.
The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman will produce “Bedroom Window” under their overall deal at Studiocanal.
Based on Anne Holden’s novel “The Witnesses,” Hanson’s original film follows a man who goes to bed with his boss’ wife. During the tryst, she observes from his bedroom window a violent attack on a young woman. He goes to the police on his lover’s behalf to report a crime he didn’t actually witness.
Hanson’s original movie forms part of the nearly 6,000-title film library at Studiocanal whose exploitation is a strategic priority for Studiocanal, owned by Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group.
The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman will produce “Bedroom Window” under their overall deal at Studiocanal.
Based on Anne Holden’s novel “The Witnesses,” Hanson’s original film follows a man who goes to bed with his boss’ wife. During the tryst, she observes from his bedroom window a violent attack on a young woman. He goes to the police on his lover’s behalf to report a crime he didn’t actually witness.
- 7/7/2021
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
European studio to plough more than $1bn into film and TV production between now and 2024.
Canal+ Group/Studiocanal chairman Maxime Saada and Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh were in an ebullient mood on Tuesday (July 6) as the Paris-based European studio kicked off its 30th-anniversary edition of Cannes with its traditional pre-festival show-reel event.
“The story started right here in Cannes, three decades ago with our first nominated movie The Double Life Of Véronique,” said Saada, noting that 55 films in the studio’s catalogue had won awards at the festival.
This year the company has two films debuting Out of Competition: Marseille-set...
Canal+ Group/Studiocanal chairman Maxime Saada and Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh were in an ebullient mood on Tuesday (July 6) as the Paris-based European studio kicked off its 30th-anniversary edition of Cannes with its traditional pre-festival show-reel event.
“The story started right here in Cannes, three decades ago with our first nominated movie The Double Life Of Véronique,” said Saada, noting that 55 films in the studio’s catalogue had won awards at the festival.
This year the company has two films debuting Out of Competition: Marseille-set...
- 7/6/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Paddington 3 is set to begin shooting in Q2 2022, Studiocanal announced Tuesday during the Cannes Film Festival.
The anticipated threequel, which will have a story by Paddington 1 & 2 collaborators Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton and a screenplay by Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont, will be one of the company’s flagship movies in coming years as it looks to invest $1 billion in content between now and 2024, it said.
Studiocanal, which celebrates it 30th anniversary this year, is doubling down on the bear franchise with a third season of TV series The Adventures of Paddington, which is also made with Heyday.
During a Cannes presentation, the Euro studio also confirmed the Kaley Cuoco project Role Play, which we revealed today, and confirmed that long-in-the-works Benedict Cumberbatch movie War Magician, with Colin Trevorrow attached to direct, is due to begin in 2022.
Cumberbatch-starrer The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is due to release this fall,...
The anticipated threequel, which will have a story by Paddington 1 & 2 collaborators Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton and a screenplay by Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont, will be one of the company’s flagship movies in coming years as it looks to invest $1 billion in content between now and 2024, it said.
Studiocanal, which celebrates it 30th anniversary this year, is doubling down on the bear franchise with a third season of TV series The Adventures of Paddington, which is also made with Heyday.
During a Cannes presentation, the Euro studio also confirmed the Kaley Cuoco project Role Play, which we revealed today, and confirmed that long-in-the-works Benedict Cumberbatch movie War Magician, with Colin Trevorrow attached to direct, is due to begin in 2022.
Cumberbatch-starrer The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is due to release this fall,...
- 7/6/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
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