Canal+ Group is launching today its new satellite Ultra HD/4k offer on a newly-designed set-top box using an SES satellite. At the same time, Canal+ is refreshing its French bouquet offer.
Canal+ Group delivers the UHD channels via Astra 19.2 degrees East.
Using their existing satellite dish, all Canal+ French satellite subscribers will be able to view the broadcaster’s premium UHD content, including cinema, series, original productions and sport, using a new UHD satellite decoder, Le Décodeur Canal. Equipped with eight satellite tuners and integrated Wifi, the decoder also offers multiple functionalities and a new viewing experience by enabling multi-device and multi-room video consumption.
The new box from Canal+ is a hybrid satellite/internet receiver. It features Dolby Atmos and voice control, called Dis Canal. With the built-in WiFi, there is multiroom, multiscreen viewing available across the home (to be introduced at a later date).
Frank Cadoret, EVP Distribution, Canal+ Group, said: “We are very proud to be partnering with SES to bring UHD to 100% of French households. Our new Decodeur is the most advanced DTH box on the market with ultra-fast channel surfing and a completely redesigned user experience. Along with Canal premium UHD content, particularly sports and original series, we intend to further boost our satellite customer loyalty and grow the existing subscriber base.”
Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer of SES Video, said: “Canal+ Group is an important and long-standing partner for SES, and the SES Video team is proud to accompany our customer on its UHD journey. The commercial launch of this Ultra HD premium channel is a key milestone for the development of mass-market Ultra HD in France. We are delighted to see that French satellite pay-tv subscribers will enjoy the best viewing experience, both in terms of picture quality and functionalities. By positioning satellite at the heart of its distribution strategy, Canal+ Group demonstrates that the role of our infrastructure is essential for linear TV distribution, offering the high throughput required for top-quality Ultra HD everywhere.”
At the same time, Canal+ is refreshing its pay TV offer in France. An entry-level subscription will cost EUR19.90 a month, and there will be separate movie and sports packages, as well as various subscription periods, starting with a contract that can be stopped every month, as well as 1- and 2-years contracts.
Canal+ also launches a new classical music channel, Deutsche Grammophon. The classical music record label Deutsche Grammophon is part of Universal Music, a subsidiary of Vivendi, the French media company which also operates Canal+.
Canal+ said that its MyCanal app for access to all digital services is very popular with 2.2 million regular users, and 12.4 million downloads.
