Canal+ is to increase is budget for original productions, growing its budget from €60 million to €90 million.
The broadcaster want to provide a distinct French voice against the ongoing threat from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and new entrants such as Disney+, which launches in the French market next Spring.
Already, Netflix has promised 12 productions aimed at France.
Canal knows that its original productions engender loyalty among its subscribers. An average episode of a French series will receive an average of 1 million views on streaming portal MyCanal, whereas acquired series will see but a quarter of that.
Quoting industry observers, Les Echos reports new shows Hippocrate, Vernon Subutex, and Mouche (pictured) have not tested well in focus groups, though Canal’s management remains confident of their ability to cut through.
Mouche is a remake of the British comedy-drama Fleabag, created by Phoebe Waller Bridge.
Those foreign series will be familiar to international audiences. They include Russell T Davies’ Brexit drama Years and Years, produced by StudioCanal’s UK subsidiary, The Loudest Voice a drama of the life of Fox News founder Roger Ailes and Sky production The New Pope.
