EDITORIAL
In 5 years, it has become essential on the television market in France. Unexpectedly, the Netflix platform is allied with a major player in the sector in France, Canal +, to whom it has already stolen large market shares. Netflix original content will be available on Canal + from October 15th.
A priori it is a completely unbalanced alliance. Netflix is a giant, with 60 million subscribers in the United States and nearly 100 million in the rest of the world. Even in France, with 6 million subscribers, Netflix is better than Canal +, which is around 4.5 million.
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So why join forces? Firstly because a huge upheaval is happening on the television market. Netflix was a precursor in streaming. Others - like Amazon, Apple and Disney - follow. All the American giants with deep pockets come in turn with offers of video delinerarized. For Canal +, it is a deadly threat ... except to integrate these offers into its own ecosystem to remain the entry point for subscribers to its offers and make their lives easier. It prevents them from having to juggle between different platforms to watch football or series.
Netflix is at a stage where it is said that the only way to develop their local base in France is by partnering with a local player who knows the market better and who knows better adapt the offer. In another area, Amazon has found an alliance with Monoprix in France to distribute certain products.
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Still, allying with a giant is perilous. But Vincent Bolloré, shareholder of Vivendi and owner of Canal, likes risky bets. With Netflix, it will be served.