Canal+ offers 80 channels for 2 euros
What were these times when one of the few entertainments we had was watching television with a few free channels that you could count on one hand? But the most significant thing is that on one of these channels we tried to decipher what was being shown at that moment, although the image looked completely encrypted.
Indeed, it was Canal+, beyond competition, that was first payment channel which reached Spain, through which users subscribed to watch premium content such as sports broadcasts of various disciplines (football, tennis, basketball…), films that appeared shortly after their release in cinemas, exclusive programs, etc. Revolution in the television sector, marking the emergence of what we know today as streaming platforms.
80 channels for only 2 euros
Nostalgia aside, Canal+ is still livelier than ever in its other approved territories. In fact, in France It appeared several years earlier than in Spain and continues to be successful today. So much so that a subsidiary of Vivendi launched a TV+streaming service containing a wide range of channels and a selection of programs from the Canal+ digital group.
For only 2 euros and 80 channels with no obligation to stay, French viewers were very happy to receive this profitable promotion, since it is an affordable price for most users. On the official website we can see what it includes. TV channels live and on demand: All DTT channels, news, sports, movies, series, youth, reality shows, etc.
TV+ is a platform very similar to the one we have in Spain, as is the case with RTVE Play or other paid applications such as Movistar Plus+, where we can watch on-demand content and other live broadcasts on various channels.
A price that differs significantly from prices in Spain.
At that time, Canal+ had established itself as one of the most profitable ways to gain subscribers and, as a result, money left and right. In the 90s they paid about 3000 pesetas (18 euros at the exchange rate), for a contract for the provision of services, but at the same time increased its price.
Movistar will later take over all rights in a €750 million agreement, and Canal+ is now renamed Canal+. #0 on Movistar Plus+, and that right now you can sign a contract for 14 euros per month if you are not a customer of the company.
Be that as it may, Canal+ has completely changed the paradigm of television consumption in Spain and has marked before and after to encourage pay-per-view premium content, that is, what is known as the emergence of streaming applications.