Talks between Canal+ and BeIN sports over an exclusive distribution deal have entered a new phase.
Sources familiar with the situation have told Le Monde that they do not involve a takeover of the pay sports channel. Instead anyone wishing to subscribe to the BeIN channels would have to do so through one of the Canal+ or Canalsat bouquets.
More evidence that a deal is close to fruition comes from sports newspaper L’Equipe, which says the competition authority is about to launch a market test.
Any investigation is likely to receive an unfavourable response from cable operator Numericable, which doesn’t currently hold an agreement with Canal.
Vivendi CEO Vincent Bolloré’s original strategy was to attempt to buy the loss-making Qatari-owned sports channels as part of a plan to bolster Canal’s falling local subscriber base.
This now appears to have softened, but the role of Altice/Numericable will mean Bollore will not have the market to himself.
