Canal+ has expanded its long-term support for European cinema. The French pay-TV provider and its associated brand, CINÉ+ OCS, will invest at least 980 million euros in French and European film productions between 2028 and 2032. The new agreement was concluded jointly with the French industry associations BLIC, BLOC and ARP, and replaces the previous agreement, which expires at the end of 2027.

Under the five-year agreement, Canal+ is increasing its annual investment to around 196 million euros, whilst at the same time securing its continued prominent position within the French media landscape. This means that, in future too, cinema films can be shown on Canal+ just six months after their cinema release.

Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described the agreement as a clear commitment to cinema. The record investment of nearly one billion euros underlines the company’s long-term partnership with the film industry and is intended to strengthen the sector’s creative diversity and economic stability.

In addition to the financial commitment, the agreement also sets out key priorities. Canal+ intends to step up its support, in particular, for debut films, new talent, diverse narrative forms, animated films, so-called ‘mid-budget’ productions, and box-office hits. The aim is to promote both creative innovation and the long-term competitiveness of the French film industry.

According to Canal+, given its scope, duration and the obligations it entails, the agreement represents an unprecedented deal between a television broadcaster and the French film industry. At the same time, the signatories reaffirm their commitment to the French model of film financing and to a media chronology, which is regarded as an essential basis for the financing of national cinema productions.