Canal+ has issued a threat to decrease its financial support for French cinema production. The pay-TV company currently contributes €220 million annually, enabling it to broadcast films six months after their theatrical release. This decision follows Disney+'s securing of a comparable agreement.
In exchange for increased investment, Disney+ will gain access to stream its own films and other French productions nine months after their theatrical release, a considerable reduction from the current 17-month window. Disney stated its commitment to “investing 25% of its annual net turnover generated in France to finance European and French cinematographic and audiovisual works”, amounting to an annual €45 million.
This agreement angered Canal+ Group President Maxime Saada. Testifying before the Senate Culture Committee, he contested Disney's claimed investment, stating that the actual compensation for cinema financing amounts to “€115 million” over three years, or “€38 million per year on average.” This contrasts sharply with Canal+'s €220 million annual contribution. “This offer (€220 million per year) is no longer on the table today. From my point of view, it will necessarily drop, the question is by how much,” Saada explained.
Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, announced a potential revision to the 2022 reforms governing streaming services. Netflix has already committed to paying €50 million annually for similar broadcast rights. Canal+ initially launched Disney+ in France but will lose the streaming service from January 1, 2025.