Canal+ Chief Says Petition Signatories Face No Blacklist but Will Face Scrutiny

Canal+ Group chief executive Maxime Saada told shareholders Wednesday that the company will not refuse work to technicians who signed a petition critical of its parent group. " Saada spoke at the company's second general assembly since it became a standalone listed entity after separating from Vivendi.

The petition, initially signed by about 600 film professionals, grew to more than 3,500 signatures after Saada's earlier remarks at the Cannes Film Festival.

The petition raised concerns over Canal+'s planned acquisition of a 34 percent stake in exhibition chain UGC and the broader concentration of media power linked to the Bolloré family. Signatories cited a rightward editorial shift at outlets within the group ahead of France's 2027 presidential election.

Saada said the petition represented between one and two percent of France's film industry workforce, which employs roughly 250,000 people. He stated that approximately 99 percent of the industry did not recognize themselves in the petition.

Saada defended Canal+'s record of financing French cinema, noting the company supports about 100 films per year and has voluntarily committed to spending 160 million euros annually. Under a three-year agreement, Canal+ pledged to invest 480 million euros through the end of 2027.

" Saada compared the situation to declining to give money to someone who calls you a fascist. Canal+ also announced new international projects, including rights to adapt the novel "The Divorce" and plans to expand operations in Africa after acquiring MultiChoice.