French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has lost over half a million subscribers in the past year, according to new figures released by its parent company, media group Vivendi.
The figures issued in Vivendi’s financial results for the third quarter of 2016 detail that by the end of September 2016, Canal Plus held 5.384 million subscribers compared to 5.926 million a year earlier. These figures include the CanalSat and Canal Play services.
However, Vivendi did note a healthy increase in subscribers for Canal Plus’ international operations, with figures rising from 5.098 million to 5.621 million. Vivendi noted the African market was particularly crucial in this context.
The figures on Canal Plus’ French subscriptions come after the broadcaster last month unveiled a revamped business model in a bid to expand its customer base and turn around increasing losses.
The plans were headlined by six new subscription packages ranging from €19.90 ($22) per month to €99. Canal Plus Group chief executive Maxime Saada said that through the initiative the company will seek to double its subscriber base by 2018.
The CanalSat direct-to-home brand will be scrapped as the broadcaster’s premium pay-television channels will be integrated with the former service under the Canal brand. Launching on November 15, the new offering will provide an entry for consumers through the flagship Canal Plus channel, with customers then having the option to add packages such as Les Chaînes Ciné Séries, Les Chaînes Sport and Les Chaînes Canal Plus.
Les Chaînes Sport will offer the broadcaster’s array of sporting content, which includes rights to club football’s Ligue 1 and Uefa Champions League, as well as the Top 14 – the top tier of domestic rugby union. For the first time, all packages will be available with or without a long-term commitment in a move designed to target younger subscribers.
Canal Plus is also offering subscribers the chance to subscribe for 24 months, instead of a year, in order to secure a cheaper rate.