Canal+ Group is preparing to revamp its subscription offerings. And it's not going to please everyone! Faced with ever-increasing competition from streaming platforms and rising content costs, particularly in sports and series, the company is considering several changes to its business model.
The plan includes: the arrival of entry-level offers with advertising, targeted price increases, and the gradual end of sharing accounts outside the home. These measures could mark the end of an era for many subscribers.
Cheaper deals… but with advertising
Canal+ is reportedly considering launching new, lower-priced subscription packages, partly funded by advertising. The aim would be to offer a more accessible entry point to attract new subscribers, while simultaneously developing new revenue streams.
This model is already used by several major streaming platforms. Subscribers could therefore access content at a lower price, but with advertising breaks during some programs.
Price increases on certain plans
In parallel, Canal+ could also revise the prices of some existing offers. These price increases would be targeted and would mainly affect the most comprehensive packages.
The objective would be to better segment subscriptions and to enhance the value of premium offers, particularly those including sports rights or a large catalog of content.
The end of off-home account sharing
Another terrible change: the limitation on account sharing. Canal+ now wants to restrict the use of a subscription to within the same household.
In practical terms, sharing login credentials with friends or family members living in another household could be prohibited. Like other platforms before it, the company could eventually implement technical controls to limit this type of usage.
The end of an era for "Canal codes"
For many years, sharing Canal+ login details had become a widespread habit. The famous question "What's your Canal code?" it was almost part of the platform's culture.
With these new directions, this period now seems to be coming to an end. Popular offers that made it easier to share a subscription could also disappear.
A strategy to adapt to the streaming market
With these changes, Canal+ is seeking to adapt its model to a streaming market that has become extremely competitive. Between competition from major international platforms and rising content costs, the group is trying to find a new balance.
For subscribers, this could mean more choice in the plans offered, but also stricter rules of use and, for some, higher prices.
