The Canal+ Group is handing over the Direct One (formerly known as UPC Direct) satellite service and its customers to the government-affiliated 4iG Group. In connection with this, it was also announced that the Canal+ streaming service will also be available in Hungary after successful introductions in various European countries – Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and recently in the Netherlands.
The Canal+ Group reminds us in a statement: it is present in more than 50 countries and has more than 25 million subscribers in Europe, Africa and Asia. In Hungary, Direct One distributes its products through a satellite television and broadcasting service provider.
According to the company's statement, from 2025, Canal+ will offer its Hungarian customers a Canal+ branded application for the Hungarian market, which combines live TV and streaming within a single platform, aggregating local and international TV channels, as well as European a wide selection of spiritual films and series.
The interface of Canal+
The interface of Canal+ In addition to the direct sale of its platform, Canal+ cooperates with one of the leading Hungarian telecommunications providers, 4iG, to support the product launch and to distribute its own linear channel and SVOD solution, which will also be available to 4iG customers from 2025.
Canal+ will also transfer its satellite TV and B2B activities to 4iG, which will continue to serve the affected customers via its satellite service. (In other words, Direct One customers will be transferred to the government-affiliated 4iG Group.) In serving the content needs of subscribers, Canal+ can rely mainly on the Group's two subsidiaries, Studiocanal and SPI International, in addition to other collaborations.
Direct One currently has a consumer base of 155,000 subscribers which will be integrated to 4iG’s existing satellite TV service, solidifying its position as the market leader.
The former, leading content provider, offers more than 8,000 international content. The latter, a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide, has been present on the Hungarian market for years with its FilmBox channels, and has a catalog of more than 10,000 international films and series.
In addition, starting in 2025, the content provider's offer will include high-quality, self-produced Canal+ content, including Fraud of the Century, The Brigade or Django, which have already become available to Direct One subscribers in recent months.
Jacques du Puy, CEO of Canal+ International, said:
"I am very happy about the launch of our services in Hungary, which clearly illustrates our strategy to digitize our offer, thereby further strengthening our position in Europe. The market for SVOD services in Hungary is developing dynamically and CANAL+ aims to occupy a significant place in this market. 4iG is the right partner to support the introduction. We are confident that CANAL+ will fill a gap in the Hungarian market, combining linear channels, sports programs, and the best of films and series."
