Canal+ Ends 2024 With 26.9M Subs and Eyes “Active M&A Strategy”

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canal+ Group, which includes StudioCanal (a film production and distribution unit), announced their year-end results for 2024 on Tuesday. They ended the year with a total of 26.9 million subscribers in 52 countries across three continents, marking a small increase from the 26.8 million subscribers they had at the end of 2023. This growth was accompanied by an increase in both revenue and earnings.

The income increased by 3.6% to reach €6.45 billion, and the EBITA grew by 5.4% to amount to €503 million. Moreover, the company emphasized a relatively small debt of €355 million, providing Canal+ with the flexibility to continue its active acquisition strategy.

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Income climbed by 3.6% to reach €6.45 billion, and EBITA went up 5.4% to total €503 million. Additionally, the company underscored a minimal debt level of €355 million, enabling Canal+ to persist in its active merger and acquisition endeavors.

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The revenue jumped by 3.6%, reaching €6.45 billion, while EBITA rose by 5.4% to hit €503 million. Furthermore, the company underscored a low debt level of €355 million, empowering Canal+ to carry on its active M&A strategy.

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The revenue saw an increase of 3.6%, totaling €6.45 billion, and EBITA followed suit with a growth of 5.4% to amount to €503 million. The company also stressed a modest debt level of €355 million, allowing Canal+ to continue its active merger and acquisition activities.

In Africa and Asia, the company saw a significant 2.5% increase in subscribers, which more than compensated for the 0.7% decrease in European markets. As a result, the company was able to expand its total user base by approximately 118,000 users over the course of the year.

Maxime Saada, CEO, stated: “The year 2024 was crucial for Canal+. I’m excited to announce that we are now progressing steadily towards our goal of transforming into a global powerhouse in media and entertainment, with between 50-100 million subscribers. Significant advancements were made in the creation and distribution of content that appeals worldwide, the incorporation of new assets such as Dailymotion and GVA, and the continued acquisition of Multichoice, the leading pay-TV service in Africa. With a robust financial performance in 2024, a stable financial structure, and a renewed emphasis on cash accumulation, Canal+ possesses the resources to realize this ambition and generate substantial returns for our shareholders in the future.

He noted: “In 2024, Canal+ consistently showcased its talent for creating content that appeals globally. Our internal studio, Studiocanal, set new box-office records across the globe. ‘Back to Black’ reached number one in eight countries, while ‘Wicked Little Letters’ became Britain’s highest-grossing independent comedy since 2021. ‘Beating Hearts’ was Studiocanal’s biggest hit ever in France, selling nearly 5 million tickets. ‘Paddington in Peru’ was a box office success, earning $170 million worldwide so far, bringing the total box office for the Paddington trilogy to almost $700 million, setting the stage for future movies, series, stage shows, and interactive experiences. Most recently, the global box-office hit ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ underscores that the Bridget Jones franchise remains relevant to audiences worldwide.

In addition, Studiocanal unveiled a new label focused on genre films called Sixth Dimension and announced its inaugural project – the remake of “Silent Night, Deadly Night”. The global TV series “Paris Has Fallen”, stemming from the prosperous “Has Fallen” film series, was a massive hit in all CANAL+ PayTV regions as well as on Amazon Prime in the U.K. and Hulu in the U.S., according to Saada. A second season of the show is now being filmed in the U.K. Currently, Studiocanal is working on several franchises from IPs owned by Canal+, including a new “Evil Dead” film, a revamp of “Escape From New York”, and the next live-action “Astérix” movie. This European brand with profitable characters is under the ownership of the Lagardère group.

Saada additionally stated: “Cinema plays a pivotal role in gaining, retaining, and satisfying subscribers for Canal+. It’s no surprise then that alongside our own Studiocanal productions and numerous deals with U.S. studios, Canal+ is the primary industrial and financial backer of local cinema in regions where we operate, particularly strong ones like France, Africa, and Poland. This approach ensures we get the best domestic productions.” Furthermore, he emphasized Canal+’s prominent position within African cinema.

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2025-03-04 10:54