Canal+ Group has confirmed the acquisition of French channel developer and distributor THEMA’s minority interests, assuming full ownership of the company’s capital and completing a process which began in October 2104. In a Statement, Canal+ said it warmly thanked THEMA founder François Thiellet for the success of the integration process.

According to Canal+ in 2016, THEMA should generate sales revenues close to €40 million, split between its three main activities: international TV channels distribution, packaging and marketing of multi-cultural TV packs, production and distribution of the channels Nollywood TV, Novelas TV and Gospel Music TV – among the most popular TV channels in French-speaking Africa.

Eleven years after its creation, with 40 co-workers split between Paris, Moscow, Singapore, Montreal, and now Miami, over 100 channels distributed, some 400,000 subscribers to its TV bundles in France, THEMA claims a leading position in the distribution of special-interest and multicultural TV channels.

As of July 1st, Fabrice Faux will be appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Faux has been a Finance and Business Development Director for CANAL+ Overseas. Under his management, THEMA wishes to speed up its development relying on the growth dynamic of CANAL+ Group and Vivendi.

The management team has recently been reinforced with the arrival of Arnaud Verlhac at the head of Distribution. Marianne Bédé remains at the head of Marketing and Communication, along with Clémentine Tugendhat at the head of Content, Thomas Jeanson at the head of Finance and Patrick Rivet at the head of the American development.

Finally, Thiellet will remain available to provide THEMA with his expertise and wide knowledge of the markets during this new development phase.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Business, M&A, Pay TV, People