Revenues from Canal+ Group’s pay-TV operations in mainland France have been impacted by fewer subscriptions despite a slight increase in ARPU.
On the other hand, its international pay-TV revenues have increased, with Africa being a key driver in subscriber growth, gaining 500,000 customers in the year to March 31.
Canal+ Group’s revenues in Q1 amounted to €1,328 million, down 3.1% on the same period in 2015 (-2.8% at constant currency).
It had a total of 15.4 million subscriptions, up 170,000 on a year earlier, thanks mostly to its performance in Africa.
In France, subscriptions with commitment continued to decline, the 8.276 million as of March 31 being 183,000 down on the previous quarter.
Meanwhile ad revenues from FTA channels were 11.5% higher in Q1 than a year earlier, benefitting from strong audiences for D8 and D17, with the latter, with a 5% share of its target audience (aged 25-49), remaining the leading DTT channel in France.
Canal+ Group’s income from operations increased by 6.4% to €164 million, compared to €154 million in Q1 2015, and EBITA rose year-on-year to €169 million, compared to €165 million.
This slight increase was driven by the strong development of international pay-TV operations, as well as the favourable, but temporary, impact of the phasing of costs.
Canal+ channels in France suffered an operating loss of €59 million, compared to €50 million in Q1 2015.
