PARIS, FRANCE — For 40 years, CANAL+ has been at the forefront of bold storytelling, transforming French television and culture with its groundbreaking programs, iconic satire, and commitment to cinema. To mark this milestone, CANAL+ unveils The Trailer, a cinematic campaign that brings to life its extraordinary journey with a visual and emotional intensity worthy of the greatest series.
Created by BETC Paris, The Trailer transforms real moments from the rich history of CANAL+ into an epic visual narrative. This bold and striking piece captures the risks, triumphs, and defining choices that have shaped the entertainment media company into the cultural powerhouse it is today.
A legacy of bold choices, now cinematically realized
CANAL+ has never been just a channel – it has been a cultural force. The Trailer brings to the screen the iconic milestones that have defined its DNA:
- Fending off takeover attempts by Italian media mogul Silvio Berlusconi.
- Breaking taboos as the first French channel to broadcast late-night adult content.
- Building French football from scratch, turning it into a national passion.
- Challenging authority with its iconic satirical show, Les Guignols de l’Info.
- Becoming the main financier of French cinema, nurturing talents who went on to win Oscars.
- Defying French authorities by removing the paywall during COVID lockdown.
- Aggregating global streaming giants like Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO Max, creating an unmatched entertainment hub.
This incredible history is not just celebrated but elevated into a narrative that feels larger than life – and yet it’s all true. Sometimes, real life truly is the greatest script of all.
“Summarizing 40 years of creativity, passion, and boldness in just 2 minutes – what an achievement! This advertisement brilliantly captures the uniqueness of the CANAL+ story,” said Maxime Saada, CEO of CANAL+.
More than just advertising, The Trailer invites viewers to ask: “What if the greatest series of all is the one you’ve been living with us for 40 years?”
The campaign was so immersive the French truly believed a new series was about to launch. The Trailer is available in a long-form version (two minutes and 20 seconds) and two shorter formats (30 and 40 seconds), as part of a massive media rollout launched on November 03 across all major French networks, cinemas, and digital platforms. A national billboard campaign further amplifies its reach, with the total exposure expected to surpass 452 million impressions.
Credits:
Brand: CANAL+
Brand Managers: Emilie Pietrini, Celine Pontygayot, Camille Henault
Ad Agency: BETC Paris
Agency Managers: Bertille Toledano, Mathilde Lancon, Adrien Bletton, Camille Sechaud, Kenza Daoudi
Chief Creative Officer: Stephane Xiberras
Executive Creative Director: Nicolas Lautier
Art Director: Romain Arrigoni
Copywriter: Antoine Gauquelin
Strategic Planners: Sebastien Houdusse, Mia Assor
Creative Resources Coordinator: Nina Kaufman
TV Producer: Antoine Bagot
Production Company: DIVISION
Sound Company: GUM
