France’s Canal+ has taken full ownership of SPI International, which is behind European channel brands including including FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska and streamer Dizi.
The French giant acquired a 70% stake in SPI in 2021 and has bought the remaining 30% from Hilda Uziyel according to regulatory filings.
SPI runs more than 40 free-to-air and pay-TV channels across European markets including Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, the Netherlands and Russia.
Loni Farhi, who founded SPI almost three decades ago, stepped down in April alongside CEO Berk Uziyel.
Canal+ International director of business integration, Erwan Luherne, and Jeroen Bergman, chief of content & business development at Canal+ owned M7 Group, took over their remits.
The SPI deal strengthens Canal+’s market presence across Europe.
Last month, Canal+ took a 12% stake in Nordic streamer Viaplay becoming its largest single shareholder.
Canal+ has been steadily building its international footprint and now has 25.5 million subscribers worldwide, including 9.5 million in France and 7.6 million in Africa.
In France Canal+ is in the process of acquiring rival streamer OCS, in which it has a 33% stake. Through its ownership of M7 Group, Canal+ has a significant presence in the Benelux countries and central and eastern Europe. In June, Canal+ took a significant minority stake in pan Asian streaming service Viu.
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
12 US states to block Paramount’s Warner Bros Discovery deal
The Writers Guild of America and a coalition of US states have both filed major antitrust lawsuits to challenge Paramount Skydance’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
Netflix explores live TV and bundles
Netflix reportedly is exploring the addition of live channels and bundling other subscription-based streaming services in a bid to bolster subscriber engagement.
Fubo TV names Alisa Bowen as CEO
Fubo TV names Alisa Bowen as CEO Sports and entertainment streamer Fubo TV has hired Disney executive Alisa Bowen as Chief Executive.
ITV scores with 18m audience for England quarter-final victory
A peak audience of 18m viewers watched ITV's coverage of England's World quarter-final victory against Norway on Saturday, June 11, its biggest peak audience since the Euro 2024 Final.
Arri sells global rental business
Camera and lighting manufacturer Arri is planning to sell its global rental activities in Europe, the UK, and North America to H2 Equity Partners, as part of a management buy-out.
