Vivendi delivers upbeat report on Canal+, with subs now at 25.5m

French media giant Vivendi has reported that its revenues for 2022 increased by 10.1% to €9.6 billion, “driven by the activities of Havas and Canal+ Group, as well as a historically high contribution from (video game publisher) Gameloft”. It also revealed losses of around €1bn “mainly due to the deconsolidation of Telecom Italia”.

Commenting, Yannick Bolloré, chairman of Vivendi’s Supervisory Board, called 2022 “a solid year” for Vivendi. “Our main businesses have shown considerable dynamism. 
We have made good progress in implementing our strategic roadmap, which focuses on transformation, internationalisation and greater integration.”

Making specific reference to international PayTV operation Canal+, Bolloré said the Group “strengthened its position on the European continent and in Africa. The planned transaction with the Lagardère group is part of this internationalisation process”.

Drilling down into Canal+’s results, the Group’s total subscriber portfolio reached 25.5 million as at December 2022, compared to 23.7 million in December 2021. Revenues were €5.8 billion, up 1.7% compared to the end of December 2021.

Revenues from TV operations in mainland France increased by 1.6% year on year, driven mainly by further growth in the subscriber base. The total subscriber base in mainland France recorded a net increase of 457,000 to reach 9.5m subscribers.

As for international operations, revenues increased by 3.5%, thanks to “significant growth” in the number of subscribers (+1.3 million year-on-year). The total subscriber portfolio outside mainland France stood at 16m at the end of December 2022.

Vivendi said Canal+ strengthened its content offering during the fourth quarter of 2022, with the arrival of Paramount+; the exclusive broadcasting rights for the ARES French Fighting Championship until 2027 in all Canal+ Group territories; 
and the acquisition of UEFA Champions League broadcasting rights in Austria

Commenting on the decision to increase its stake in South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, the company said: “This demonstrates (our) confidence in the prospects of MultiChoice Group and the African continent, to which they are very attached.”