Paris –August 22, 2002—CANALSATELLITE, the CANAL+ Group’s leading French digital satellite TV platform, introduced an enhanced offering with a new channel line-up and additional subscription choices. The platform also confirmed its position as the leader and most popular digital package in France, giving viewers even more of the very best in digital TV programming.

12 new channels on the way
Highlights of the fall roll-out include a restructured movie offering with 10 channels focused on different genres (6 produced by multiThématiques under the “cinecinema” label and 4 by AB under the “cinebox” label). Backed by the combined sports rights of CANAL+ France and Pathé Sport, SPORT+, the new sports channel fully owned by CANAL+Group, will be launched this fall. It will broadcast more than 80 different sports – soccer, rugby, Olympic sports, basket, boxing, etc. - and benefit from the recognized experience of CANAL+ Premium’s sports department. As of September, young viewers looking for recreational programming will be able to tune in to the new Disney Channel+1, Toon Disney and PlayHouse Disney channels, which come in addition to Disney Channel already carried exclusively on CANALSATELLITE. Rounding out of the offer are Planète Thalassa, a new channel dedicated to the sea, Teva a glamourous channel dedicated to women’s lifestyle, and VH1 for music lovers over 25.

More flexibility for the consumer
To offer a highly competitive offering and better target new subscribers’ interests, two additional subscription formulas will be introduced in the fall 2002: CANALSATELLITE CINEMA specifically designed for movie lovers, and CANALSATELLITE FAMILLE aimed at the whole family.

Leader in France with 1,900,000 subscriptions
In August 2002, the platform served 1,900,000 homes. It expects the portfolio to reach two million subscriptions by the end of 2002. CANALSATELLITE is the leader in terms of market share with a stable 60% of the French satellite market. The digital churn rate, one of the lowest in the world, has declined to 9.5%. Some 86% of subscribers say they are satisfied with the programming offer. Moreover, subscriber viewing time has increased by 12 minutes over the last year (Source Mediacabsat, June 2002). CANALSATELLITE expects to generate full-year 2002 revenue of EUR 759.5 million, up from EUR 696.7 million in 2001, and targets an operating profit of EUR 60 million in 2002, up from EUR 48.5 million in 2001.


Isabelle Parize, CEO of CANALSATELLITE, said: “Our subscribers expect to watch exactly what they want in each genre, from movies and sports to discovery, children’s programs and recreational shows. This is why CANALSATELLITE has decided to expand and enhance its theme channel line-up, by selecting the best channels with the strongest brands (40% of them exclusive to CANALSATELLITE) and by offering the broadest possible choice in each genre”.


Launched in April 1996, CANALSATELLITE today operates Europe’s first profitable digital platform. It is the undisputed leader in France’s satellite-to-home market, offering the widest choice with more than 230 channels and services.

Since its launch, CANALSATELLITE has also deployed over 60 different interactive TV services, including such exclusive and innovative features as original language/dubbed movie selection, home shopping, home betting for horseraces and pay-per-view services that use a credit card reader available as a standard device on all CANALSATELLITE set-top boxes.

CANAL+ Group holds a 66% interest in CANALSATELLITE, with Groupe Lagardère owning the remaining 34%.




Communications
Jean-Louis Erneux +33 1 44 25 75 81
Marine Lemonnier +33 1 44 25 16 23