French pay-TV group Canal+ is apparently evaluating a possible takeover of German pay-TV operator Sky Deutschland together with other investors.
Canal+, part of French media company Vivendi, could participate in a consortium which includes German telecommunications provider United Internet, according to a report by German industry publication Clap. Canal+ would contribute its pay-TV experience and content assets to the venture while United Internet would add broadband and mobile access.
Canal+ recently acquired exclusive live broadcast rights to games of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League for its pay-TV channel and streaming service in Austria, underlining its growing ambitions in the German-speaking markets.
In Austria, Canal+ collaborates with telco A1 Telekom Austria. A joint venture with United Internet as part of a Sky Deutschland acquisition would resemble this strategy in Germany.
Canal+ is already present in the German market with its movies production business Studiocanal and with M7 Deutschland, a provider of TV channels and services to cable and IPTV network operators.
First reports that US parent company Comcast considers selling Sky Deutschland emerged in October 2022, suggesting that the German pay-TV business could be valued at around €1 billion.