Decision comes after carriage talks failed and weeks after French broadcaster’s landmark deal with Netflix
French pay-TV giant Canal+ Group has stopped distributing three of TF1 Group’s thematic channels in France, as well as all of its free-to-air and pay channels across Africa.
It comes after both sides failed to strike a new carriage deal “after several months of negotiation,” according to Canal+.
The three affected channels are generalist TV Breizh, factual-skewing Histoire TV, and environment-focused Ushuaïa TV.
TF1 said the decision had prompted it “to review its distribution strategy in a context where digital offerings are expanding rapidly.”
The French broadcaster last month launched its channels and on demand content on Netflix in a landmark deal that allows the streamer’s subscribers to watch live channels such as TF1, TMC and TFX, as well as an array of sports coverage.
TF1 Group said the move to pull the channels from Canal+ would impact the funding and showcasing of “significant documentary productions”, adding that the move “sends a worrying signal to the entire industry.”
The company added that its channels could continue to be accessed via other partners including Bouygues Telecom, SFR, Orange, Free, Vitis, BIS TV, and NordNet
In Africa, all TF1 Group channels are affected, including flagship TF1, TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries Films, LCI, Ushuaïa TV and Histoire TV, as well as associated on demand services.
Platforms including Orange, Digital Virgo, Malivision and Mauritius Telecom continue to carry the channels.
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