Canal+ wants to provide an alternative to the great unbundling of video streaming services.
France leading pay-TV group announced that it will sell Netflix subscriptions starting on October 15.Instead of having to subscribe to multiple different services, Canal+ hopes that customers are looking for the ability to pay a monthly subscription for multiple services at once.
This strategy is somewhat similar to Amazon Prime Video Channels and Apple TV Channels in the United States People who subscribe to Canal+ for €20 per month (or €10 per month if you&re under 26) will be able to add a package of movies and TV shows for another €15 per month.This package contains a standard Netflix subscription that lets you stream content in HD on two devices at once, which usually costs €12 per month in France.
In addition to Netflix, you also can access OCS, which includes all HBO content and various live TV channels and on-demand content.Overall, you get a ton of original content from Canal+, Netflix and HBO for €35 per month.
But Canal+ already says that the package that includes Netflix won''t cost €15 forever.
You can expect a price hike at some point in the coming months.Canal+ provides its own set-top box and also has distribution deals with all major telecommunications companies in France.
But even after launching an over-the-top offering that doesn''t require a set-top box, Canal+ has been steadily losing subscribers over the past few years.
Netflix says that it currently has 6 million subscribers in France.Over the past few years, Canal+ has been operating a shift from live TV to on-demand streaming.
In addition to its usual TV channels with a mix of live sports, movies and TV shows, you can now stream movies and TV shows from a popular iOS and Android app called myCanal.Canal+ customers who have a Canal+ set-top box will also be able to add the new package with Netflix.
If you&re an existing Netflix subscriber, you&ll be able to link your Netflix account with your Canal+ account to tell Netflix that you&re already paying through Canal+ and stop Netflix billing.
It still unclear whether Netflix content will be available in the myCanal app.