Ligue 1 deal boosts Canal growth

Satellite broadcaster Canal claims it is on track to add more than 300,000 net new subscribers this year, following its €1.8bn deal over three years for Ligue 1. Bertrand Meheut, the chairman and chief executive of the Canal Group commented to media: “Since the beginning of this year, our subscription sales have been rising each month. Overall, our subscriber portfolio will see this year net growth above the 300,000 subscribers won in 2004.” Meheut also noted that the Canal pay-TV channel last month posted its best monthly subscription increase in some 18 years. According to WorldScreen.com, he attributed the gains to the channel’s exclusive rights to La Ligue.