Canal+ sees subscriber growth

Canal+ Group grew its global subscription base by 250,000 in the year to March, leaving the Vivendi-owned pay TV operator with 14.6 subscriptions.

The group’s revenues for the first quarter were €1.317 billion, up 2.4% or 1.2% on a constant currency basis.

Canal+’s results were boosted by strong performances in Africa and Vietnam. Canalsat in France remained stable exclusding a VAT increase from 7% to 10% in January. The group grew its revenues from free-to-air channels thanks to a strong performance from D8.

Canal+ posted EBITA of €175 million, down from €183 million last year, which the group attributed to a shift in the scheduling of the French Ligue 1 football competition.

Parent company Vivendi saw revenues slip to €2.722 billion from €2.826 billion last year, while EBITA fell from €301 million to €268 million.