Canal+ Doubles Down on AI and Expansion After Strong 2025 Results
French media giant Canal+ has announced a successful 2025, fueled by the integration of MultiChoice and is now strategically investing in artificial intelligence (AI) partnerships with Google Cloud and OpenAI to deliver “personalized entertainment.” The company reported exceeding its financial objectives for the year, setting the stage for continued growth and innovation.
A Year of Transformative Growth
Canal+’s president, Maxime Saada, described 2025 as a “successful and transformational year.” The acquisition of MultiChoice in September significantly expanded the company’s reach, bringing its total subscriber base to 40 million across more than 70 countries – a fourfold increase over the past decade. This growth is expected to yield €400 million in annual cost synergies by 2030.
The company also resolved longstanding tax disputes with the French government and secured exclusive rights to UEFA club competitions in France through 2031. These achievements contributed to an adjusted EBITA of €542 million, with a margin of 8.7%, surpassing the €503 million and 7.8% recorded in 2024. Combined revenues for Canal+ and MultiChoice reached €8.7 billion.
AI-Powered Personalization and Content Discovery
Looking ahead, Canal+ is prioritizing profitability in Europe and anticipates an adjusted EBITA of €735 million in 2026. A key component of this strategy is leveraging AI to enhance the user experience.
Starting in June, Canal+ will integrate OpenAI’s technology to provide personalized content recommendations based on individual user preferences and viewing habits. Simultaneously, the company will deploy Google Cloud’s AI capabilities across Europe and Africa to accelerate video content indexing. This will enable smarter, more tailored recommendations on the Canal+ App.
Google Cloud’s technology will analyze Canal+’s extensive content library, combining sound, video, and text data to create a detailed multimodal database. This granular classification will improve content discovery, making it easier for subscribers to locate content they enjoy.
Beyond Recommendations: AI in Content Creation
The partnership with Google Cloud extends beyond content discovery. Canal+ will also utilize Veo3, Google’s generative AI video technology, to empower its production teams. Veo3 will allow filmmakers and content creators to visualize scenes before filming, recreate historical moments from archival footage, and accelerate the creative development process.
This technology offers opportunities to significantly reduce production costs. Traditionally, visualizing complex scenes requires storyboards or costly test shoots. AI-generated previews can now create these scenes in minutes.
The Future of Entertainment: A Shift Towards AI-Driven Experiences
Canal+’s strategic embrace of AI reflects a broader industry trend. Streaming services and broadcasters are increasingly turning to AI to reduce costs, improve content discovery, and compete in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The focus on personalization is crucial as consumers demand more tailored entertainment experiences.
This move positions Canal+ to not only retain existing subscribers but also attract new audiences by offering a more engaging and relevant content experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Canal+ planning to do with OpenAI’s technology?
Canal+ will use OpenAI’s technology to provide personalized content recommendations to users based on their preferences.
How will Google Cloud’s AI benefit Canal+?
Google Cloud’s AI will accelerate video content indexing, enabling smarter content recommendations and improved content discovery.
What is Veo3 and how will it be used?
Veo3 is Google’s generative AI video technology that will assist Canal+’s production teams with tasks like scene visualization and recreating historical events.
What was Canal+’s adjusted EBITA in 2025?
Canal+’s adjusted EBITA in 2025 was €542 million.
How many subscribers does Canal+ have now?
Canal+ now has 40 million subscribers across more than 70 countries.
