Canal+ plans to launch a new thematic service in order to counter increased competition and ahead of the possible launch of Netflix and Amazon in France.
According to Le Figaro, Canal+ Series will make its debut on September 21 and offer flagship US series two to five days after they have been broadcast in the US.
Rodolphe Belmer, the CEO of Canal+, said the new service will appeal to young people and women, with men and older viewers already well catered for by Canal+’s sports and movie offer.
Maxime Saada, who is in charge of pay channels and the pilot project, meanwhile said that 66% of Canal+’s viewers say that series are one of the main reasons they subscribe to its service.
However, they only account for 15% of its airtime at the moment.
The new service will replicate that already offered by Orange Cinéma Séries for over a year. It will, added Saada, employ a “chain model” not far removed from that already used by HBO.
