Canal+ Inks Disney+ Distribution Deal

Disney France and Canal+ Group have entered into a new strategic distribution agreement, one that includes Disney+.

The agreement covers distribution by Canal+ of a wide array of The Walt Disney Company’s branded channels, including Disney Channel and Disney Junior, as well as National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Voyage and FOX Play.

Also, Canal+ premium channels will air the first-run broadcasts of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, 20th Century Fox, Blue Sky and Fox Searchlight movies. Hits such as the new The Lion King movie, Avenger’s End Game, Frozen II, Toy Story 4 and Captain Marvel will air on Canal+.

In tandem with the Disney+ direct-to-consumer launch in France, Canal+ will become the exclusive local pay-TV partner to offer the new streaming service to its 8 million subscribers and will further extend the reach of Disney+ through third-party distribution partners such as ISPs. In addition to being available to Canal+ subscribers, Disney + will be available directly to consumers for download via the Disneyplus.fr website and other app stores.

Maxime Saada, chairman of Canal+ Group, said: “We are very excited to team up with The Walt Disney Company to bring our subscribers the amazing content from the world’s premier entertainment company. This is an ambitious deal, under which Canal+ becomes the exclusive third-party local distributor of Disney’s much-awaited streaming service Disney+, among pay-TV and ISP operators, as well as Disney’s incredible lineup of movies, series and animated content via our own premium channels. This project fits perfectly in our overall strategy of becoming the go-to brand for the world’s best content and service.”

“Canal has been and remains a very important partner to Disney. With this agreement, we are pleased to offer millions of Canal+ consumers multiple ways to access our films, television and entertainment,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman of direct-to-consumer and international at The Walt Disney Company. “Disney+ marks a new era of innovation and creativity for our company and we cannot wait to bring the app and its exclusive original content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic to France.”