In brief
The new five-year pact is a significant increase from the previous three-year commitment of €480 million.
The deal allows Canal+ to offer films to subscribers six months after theatrical release, maintaining its privileged position in France's media chronology.
A petition signed by about 600 professionals at Cannes accused shareholder Vincent Bolloré of a fascist agenda. CEO Maxime Saada responded by saying Canal+ would no longer work with signatories, leading to accusations of blacklisting.
Netflix and Prime Video are appealing to the Council of State to shorten the 17-month wait for new films, arguing their investment levels justify earlier access.
- 27 JulCanal+ and French cinema organisations seal five-year, €980 million investment pact.
- 2025–2027Previous three-year investment pact of €480 million.
- 2028–2032New pact runs; six-month release window preserved.
The deal
Canal+ will invest €980 million (nearly $1.1 billion) in French, European, and international films from 2028 through 2032 under a new five-year agreement with French cinema organizations. The sum marks a step up from the previous three-year pact, which set aside €480 million for the 2025–2027 period, and incorporates the obligations of OCS, the erstwhile rival pay-TV service that Canal+ bought in 2023. OCS had committed at least €60 million to French and European film between 2021 and 2023. Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada announced the deal on X on Monday, 27 July, describing it as a strengthening of the group's four-decade backing of the sector.
“French cinema, the most dynamic in Europe and among the world's leading film industries, deserves to be supported, financed and championed.”
A contentious backdrop
The accord was forged after months of strained relations between Canal+ and parts of the French cinema community. At the Cannes Film Festival in May, a petition signed by around 600 professionals accused Vincent Bolloré, Canal+'s largest shareholder and a conservative billionaire, of extending his influence over French media and pursuing a fascist agenda. Saada struck back during a Cannes luncheon, telling producers that Canal+ would cease working with the petition's signatories. His comments sparked allegations of blacklisting from industry representatives. On 16 May, he publicly confirmed that stance, keeping the rift open until the latest round of negotiations.
“We are the leading partner of French and European cinema for a long time.”
Media chronology and streaming wars
With the new investment, Canal+ retains the ability to make films available to subscribers six months after their theatrical release, a key advantage in France's media chronology system. The arrangement ties broadcasters' financial commitments to the speed with which they can access new releases. While Canal+ solidifies its window, Netflix and Prime Video are contesting the framework before the Council of State, arguing that the current 17-month waiting period for streamers is disproportionate given their financial contributions. Saada has pressed for an even shorter gap for Canal+ Group, noting that Disney+ secured a nine-month window in return for a €35 million investment in theatrical movies.
What's next
The five-year deal locks Canal+ in as the largest private backer of French cinema until 2032. It runs alongside the ongoing legal dispute between the streamers and French regulators over the media chronology, leaving open the possibility that the entire window system could be reshaped before the end of the pact. For now, the agreement cools the immediate public fallout from Cannes, though no organisation representing the petition's signatories has yet commented on the accord.
- Previous pact (2025–2027)
- 160 million €
- New pact (2028–2032)
- 196 million €
Data from the article text