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Canal+ ("Canal Plus", meaning "Channel Plus/More" in French) is a French premium pay television channel launched in 1984. It is owned by the Canal+ Group, which in turn is owned by Vivendi SA. The channel broadcasts several kinds of programming and mostly encrypted, but does broadcast some programs without encryption. The un-encrypted programmes can be viewed free of charge on Canal+ and on satellite on Canal+ Clair (Clear).
[edit] History
After the announcement about the launch of the fourth French television channel Canal+ started broadcasting on November 4, 1984. In 1986, the channel had one million subscribers. It has produced numerous auteur films, including David Lynch's The Straight Story, Mulholland Dr., and INLAND EMPIRE.
[edit] "Le Bouquet"
Canal+ Le Bouquet is the brand name used for all the Canal+-branded channels in France. Four additional channels are available since 2006:
- Canal+ Cinéma (previously known as Canal+ Jaune), a dedicated movie channel.
- Canal+ Décalé (previously known as Canal+ Bleu).
- Canal+ Sport (previously known as Canal+ Vert), a sports channel.
- Canal+ Family (beginning October 2007)
- Canal+ Hi-Tech (previously known as Canal+ (Broadcast in widescreen))
- Canal+ Québec (beginning January 2008)
- Canal+ Romandie (beginning April 2008).
Those channels are sold as a package on Satellite and DSL TV. On digital terrestrial television, only Canal+, Canal+ Cinéma and Canal+ Sport are available in widescreen with Dolby Digital surround sound.
[edit] European sister channels
As Canal+ was launched in new markets the brand has been used in several countries. When launching additional channels the channels were usually given colour-coded names, such as Canal+ Blue and Canal+ Green. Many of these subsidiaries have been sold, and as of 2007 only the Spanish and Polish Canal+ were partially owned by French Canal+.
- Canal+ Spain, launched in 1990 by Sogecable as an analogue pay channel, similar to the French version.
- Canal+ Belgium Dutch language, became Canal+ when FilmNet was bought. Later sold and is now known as Prime.
- Canal+ Belgium, French language, now known as BeTV. It shares many common programs with the French channels.
- Canal+ Netherlands, launched as Canal+ after buying the FilmNet channels. In 2006, the channels were the property of Liberty Global Europe and were rebranded as Sport1 and Film1.
- Canal+ Poland, the channel is called Canal+, the satellite platform Cyfra+
- Canal+ Scandinavia, launched as Canal+ in 1997 with the integration of the FilmNet channels. Sold in 2003 and purchased by SBS Broadcasting Group in 2005 and are in the process of rebranding to CMore.
- Tele+ Digitale, the Italian branch sold in 2003 to News Corp. and fused with Stream TV, the direct competitor. Now is called Sky Italia.
- Premiere, a German premium television channel and platform launched in 1990, was founded by Canal +, Bertelsmann and Kirch. A few years later, Canal+ sold its share of Premiere.
[edit] Programmes
[edit] External links
 French television stations |
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