Canal+ SA is considering deploying its streaming app, which includes deals with AppleTV and Warner Bros Discovery Inc.\u2019s HBO Max, to clients of South African pay-TV operator MultiChoice Group, which the French firm bought last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll of the content is embedded on the Canal+ app, and as a user, you do not have to go on another app,\u201d Chief Financial Officer Amandine Ferre said in an interview on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ gained control of MultiChoice \u2014 part-owner of streaming service Showmax, with Comcast Corp. \u2014 late last year in a deal that valued the African platform at about $3 billion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Johannesburg-based firm\u2019s operations are mainly in the south and east of the continent as well as Nigeria and Ghana, while the French company already has a presence throughout francophone western Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It hasn\u2019t taken a final decision on what to do with Showmax \u2014 MultiChoice\u2019s streaming offering \u2014 or on the roll-out of the Canal+ app to countries where MultiChoice operates, Ferre said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ shares surged as much as 15% in London on Thursday and are at a record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The combined entertainment platform will likely deliver more than \u20ac400 million in earnings before interest, tax and amortisation, and about \u20ac300 million in free cash flow cost savings by 2030, it said in a statement Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ is working to start growing MultiChoice\u2019s subscriber numbers after the company lost almost 3 million customers over the past two financial years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has already renegotiated a contract for set-top boxes and has been providing cheaper units since November, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are really working on the entry ticket and the best packages, and making sure we have the best price,\u201d said Ferre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The combined entity has returned National Basketball Association content to the SuperSport offering after an eight-year break, and also added French Ligue 1 football matches to its platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n