Canal + on the verge of taking control of UGC
The media giant today takes 34% of the UGC group, before certainly taking total control from 2028.
It is a large -scale strategic partnership that promises to be this morning for French cinema.
The giant of the media and Canal + entertainment is about to strengthen its position on the film market. The group is in exclusive negotiations with UGC, a major player in the production and exploitation of cinemas.
The agreement provides for a two -step acquisition. First, Canal + now takes a minority participation of 34% in the capital of UGC. Then, Canal + “could take control of UGC from 2028“Details the press release.
This strategic alliance would combine the forces of the two entities:
UGC has one of the largest cinema networks in France, with 55 rooms (including 48 in France and 7 in Belgium) and attracts tens of millions of spectators each year. In addition, as a production company UGC has a catalog that includes successes such as Amélie Poulain’s fabulous fate and the series Hpi.
Canal +, with nearly 27 million subscribers worldwide, has studiocanal, one of the largest production and distribution studios in Europe. The latter produces and distributes around 200 films and 80 series per year.
This marriage is thus justified by Maxime Saada, Chairman of the Channel Executive Board: “Since its creation in 1984, Canal + has been the first partner of French and European cinema. UGC has built a remarkable cinema channel and an emblematic catalog of content. The growth of Studiocanal, led by Anna Marsh, is a major issue for the Canal + group and its combination with UGC, a long -standing strategic partner, would allow us to accelerate this development. This operation demonstrates the commitment of the Canal group in the cinema and in the exploitation in theaters which plays an essential role in its exhibition and its valuation. “
