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In a bold move to deepen its ties with the big screen, the Canal+ Group is taking a 34 percent stake in UGC, one of France’s leading cinema chains. The deal, revealed under the leadership of CEO Maxime Saada, marks a key milestone for the media giant, with an option to take full ownership by 2028.
Canal+ and UGC: A Strategic Partnership
By investing in UGC, Canal+ is not just backing cinema infrastructure, it’s building up a long-term vision around French and European film culture. UGC owns a valuable catalogue of films and intellectual property, which now complements the 9,400-plus titles already held by Studiocanal, the group’s production and distribution division.
This alignment serves two purposes: securing control over content pipelines and reinforcing Canal+ as a key player at every stage of the film value chain, from production to theatrical release. And honestly, for those of us who grew up seeing the Canal+ logo before films and series that shaped our tastes, there’s something satisfying about this return to roots—while still moving forward.
The UGC stake also comes with an important clause: the option to buy the rest of the company in 2028. This gives Canal+ time to prepare for a full integration while testing the waters in terms of operational synergies and box office recovery. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
I Swear: A Surprise Success for Studiocanal
One of the standout examples of Canal+’s expanding impact is I Swear, a touching dramedy directed by Kirk Jones. The film centers on a Scottish activist with Tourette Syndrome, played with nuance by Robert Aramayo, supported by a sharp cast including Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan.
The film is currently topping the UK box office and, according to Canal+, holds the highest-ever audience rating at UK cinemas. That’s a bold claim, but if true, it underlines something that deserves more attention: viewers are still hungry for original stories told with authenticity.
There’s something deeply human in the film’s idea—an outsider trying to be heard, in spite of noise. Maybe that’s what viewers are connecting with. I Swear is a reminder that a sincere, well-acted film can make room for itself at the top, even in a market dominated by franchises.
Continued Global Expansion
Beyond the big screen, Canal+ is clearly thinking much bigger. Their subscriber base now stands at 26.9 million, but what’s more staggering is the company’s wider reach: 40 million customers across 70 countries.
Recent moves give this expansion more structure: To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
- Acquisition of a controlling stake in MultiChoice, Africa’s leading pay-TV provider
- Organic revenue growth of 1.2% in the first nine months of 2025, anticipating additional growth once MultiChoice is fully integrated
- Plans for a dual stock listing: Canal+ will be traded in Johannesburg alongside its London presence
Maxime Saada calls this a “transformational new era,” and the pieces seem to come together. Between content, distribution, and now cinema venues, the group is positioning itself on all fronts.
A Clear Strategy Towards Aggregation
While many media companies see streaming platforms as rivals, Canal+ seems to prefer synergy over conflict. Saada’s “super-aggregation strategy” treats platforms like Netflix and Disney+ as partners to integrate rather than eliminate.
That strategy already shows results. Canal+ offers both a house for its own productions and an umbrella for external streamers—kind of a premium shell where everything is available in one place. For viewers, it’s convenient. For Canal+, it’s a way to remain essential.
All of this fits a larger picture: a company that no longer wants to choose between production, exhibition, and distribution. Instead, it’s building a complete ecosystem. And in a landscape where everyone’s trying to hold onto attention, I have to say: seeing a group double down on cinema rather than turning its back on it feels like a breath of fresh air.
