Orange chief executive Stéphane Richard has said the telco is interested in working with French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus on acquiring sports rights.
Richard told the BFM Business radio station Orange was not interested in pursuing a takeover of Canal Plus, following reports of talks between Orange and the broadcaster’s parent company, Vivendi.
“Orange and Canal Plus are important partners. Can we do more together? For sure, but on an industrial and commercial basis, not through a stake acquisition,” Richard said.
Richard was speaking after Orange reported a 1.3-per-cent increase in its annual core operating profit.
In France, Canal Plus shows matches from the domestic Ligue 1 football top tier and the Uefa Champions League.