Canal+ is a French television channel that started in 1984. The channel was only the fourth ever to exit in France. When CanalSatellite was launched, additional channels were added to the company's offerings. In 2005, Canal+ began offering sports, travel, and business programs along with their core televisions shows. The company is known for hosting the FIA Formula One World Championship and the English Premier League games, as they own the digital rights to both. Canal+ has recently expanded again, adding Africa to its list of international viewership areas.
The channel provides numerous forms of programming, much of which is encrypted. The unencrypted content is free to view on Canal+ and its sister channel Clair. The channel supports the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV initiative (HbbTV), which is attempting to establish a European standard for reception boxes and multimedia applications on all devices in a transparent way.
The channel has a range of genres that it broadcasts. Famous programs include: Le Grand Journal, Les Revenants, The Tunnel, Borgia, Rugrats, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Family Guy, and more.
Canal+ recently announced plans to open up additional headquarters in Santiago, Chile in order to more effectively enter the Latin American television market.
