Canal Plus

French Xbox Users Get Canal Plus TV, Movies, Soccer

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 29, 2009 - 11:04am.
London - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) has partnered with French pay-TV company Canal Plus to offer movies, TV and soccer on demand through its Xbox 360 video game console, Reuters reported. The deal will give French Xbox Live members access to some 3,000 programs, as well as French Ligue 1 soccer matches. Microsoft signed an Xbox Live programming carriage deal last month with BSkyB.

Panel Suspends Antitrust Probe Into Vivendi's Digital TV Firm Canal Plus

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 20, 2003 - 4:38am.
Brussels -- The European Commission on Thursday announced it has suspended its investigation into French pay-TV operator Canal Plus. With the Commission's antitrust panel's decision to place the investigation on "indefinite hold," analysts have speculated that the company may avoid costly fines and penalties altogether. The panel had been investigating whether or not long-term contracts between U.S. filmmakers and Canal Plus, a Vivendi Universal company, had violated anti-competition rules.

Vivendi Closes $205M Sale of Canal Plus Technologies Stake to Thomson

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 5, 2003 - 4:03am.
Paris -- Debt-laden Vivendi Universal announced on Wednesday that it has completed the sale of its 89 percent stake in interactive TV firm Canal Plus Technologies to Thomson Multimedia. Vivendi will receive a total of $205 million for its stake in the company -- with $182 already tendered and the remainder to be paid after post-closing adjustment. Paris-based Vivendi Universal has also reportedly been looking to sell off its video game unit to suitors including Microsoft and Electronic Arts to alleviate its debt load.