Canal+ in France has struck an exclusive distribution deal with Disney for its Disney+ streamer. The deal means consumers in France will have to deal with the pay TV operator to access the service or download it directly via Disney+.
The news was confirmed by Disney’s Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and International, Kevin Mayer, who told local newspaper Les Echoes that he hoped the deal would help propel it to 60-90 million customers by 2024. He also said the arrangement was indicative of its global strategy.
“In some countries, the demand will mostly be focused on OTT, with customers downloading the Disney+ app. In others, we will form other partnerships. In France, we will come to market with both models, but there’s no doubt that we will hit more of the world by partnering with Canal+,” Mayer declared.
On the other hand, Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+ Group, described the exclusive partnership as “a new major step in the transformation of the Canal+ model”. And he added: “The force is with us”.
The Disney+ service is set to launch in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain on March 31, following successful November roll-outs in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.
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