Canal + to launch a free channel on DTT

Canal + to launch a free channel on DTT

Image 1: Canal + will launch a free channel on DTT

Canal + has just announced its plan to launch this year a free channel on DTT, which could “emit as soon as analog television ends, in November 2011”. Nicknamed Canal20 for now, this free channel should be “in line with Canal +”, explains Bertrand Méheut, CEO of the group.

“Compete with connected TV”

“Canal20 will arouse the desire to subscribe to pay television”, thinks Bertrand Méheut, who thus intends to recruit new subscribers through this new channel, which will not however be deprived of a “very qualitative editorial line” . It will therefore be a channel “centered on cinema, original creation and will also present cultural magazines and possibly a very limited number of sporting events”.

Bertrand Méheut also sees in this free channel an opportunity to take to contain the diversification of Web services which monopolize television: “We must occupy the field, otherwise it will be conquered by new players like Google TV, Apple TV, Hulu or Netflix, which will surge thanks to connected television. “