France: Vivendi (Canal+) confirms an exclusive distribution agreement with beIN Sports for 5 years

The supervisory board of Vivendi has authorised the board of its subsidiary Canal+ to enter into an exclusive distribution agreement with the pay-TV group beIN Sports France, announced the French telecom and media group during the publication of its 2015 annual results on 18/02/2016.

The agreement, which covers a period of five years, must now be investigated by the French Competition Authority. If approved, it "would enable beIN Sports to benefit from the strength of the distribution of Canal+, and for the customers of both companies to have access to a comprehensive offering," said Vivendi. The Groupe Canal+ has 5.7 million subscribers in France as if 31/12/2015, while beIN Sports France counted 2.5 million subscribers as of 18/02/2016.

"It is in the interest of all actors (federations, clubs, broadcasters, etc.) that sports competitions are funded as well as possible in order to create the best show in the French homes," said the Groupe Canal+.

"A beneficial agreement for the area of audiovisual creation creation and film" (Groupe Canal+)

• The agreement provides that all the…