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M7 Group
M7 Group
M7 Group
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Canal+ Luxembourg S.à.r.l. (trade name: M7 Group) is a Luxembourg-based television provider owned by the French media conglomerate Canal+.

Key Information

It operates several direct broadcast satellite pay TV platforms: HD Austria in Austria, Télésat in Belgium and Luxembourg, TV Vlaanderen in the Flanders region in Belgium, Skylink in Czech Republic and Slovakia, Canal Digitaal and Online.nl in the Netherlands, Focus Sat in Romania, and Direct One in Hungary. It also operates a terrestrial pay television platform in Flanders, Belgium, and offers B2B multimedia services.

Groupe Canal+ bought the company in 2019, and M7 has been rebranding some of its services as Canal+ since 29 January 2024.

History

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M7 Group previous logo

The private equity firm Astorg acquired a majority of the company in July 2014 for €350 million[2] via its Fund V from Providence and Airbridge Investments.[3] Providence is a Private Equity investment firm and Airbridge Investments is the holding company of executives Hans Wolfert and Cees Bohnenn.[4] In December 2017, the company became fully owned by Astorg. The exit of minority shareholders took place at the time of a €570 million debt refinancing which allowed to pay a dividend of €175 million to the former shareholders.[5]

On 30 July 2014, its subsidiary M7 Deutschland bought the German B2B satellite platform Kabelkiosk from Eutelsat.[6]

In 2016, M7 Group closed the Hungarian satellite platform Hello HD.

In December 2018, the company announced the purchase of Liberty Global's satellite operations located in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania for €180 million.[7] This sale was processed after necessary permissions, in spring 2019.[8] Freesat platform acquired in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has been integrated into Skylink.

On 28 May 2019, it was announced that Vivendi's Canal+ Group would acquire M7 Group for 1.1 billion €.[9] The sale was effectuated on 12 September 2019 after the European Commission gave its permission.[10]

M7 Group announced that Diveo, the German satellite platform which was launched in February 2018, will be closed on 30 November 2019. In July 2020, M7 Group S.A. merged with UPC DTH S.à.r.l. and changed its official name into Canal+ Luxembourg S.à.r.l. The M7 brand name remains in use with the "A Canal+ Group company" tagline.[citation needed]

Groupe Canal+ bought the company in 2019, although retains its own name.[11] M7 has been rebranding as Canal+ from 29 January 2024.[12][13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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M7 Group

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M7 Group S.A. is a Luxembourg-based pay-TV operator and distributor of and IP-based television services across , specializing in cultural and language-specific content packages for consumers and businesses. Established in October 2009, the company operates under various regional brands and serves over 3 million subscribers (as of 2019) with hybrid and over-the-top (OTT) offerings, including live entertainment, sports, and video-on-demand (VOD) in high-definition and ultra-high-definition quality. Originally backed by private equity firms Partners and Airbridge Capital, M7 Group was rebranded in 2009 and saw a majority stake acquired by Astorg in 2014, which supported its expansion through acquisitions such as the Eastern European direct-to-home (DTH) operations from in 2019. In 2019, Canal+ Group acquired M7, integrating it into its European portfolio and leveraging synergies with content providers like SPI International and to enhance premium channel development and local productions. M7 Group's operations span —including , the , , , and —and the region ( and the ), where it ranks among the top pay-TV providers, such as second in and third in the by revenue (as of 2019). It distributes international, regional, and local channels via brands like CanalDigitaal and Online.nl in the , Diveo in , HD Austria in , Skylink in the and , and others tailored to local markets. The company focuses on a "premiumisation" strategy, combining satellite broadcasting with digital streaming to deliver diverse content libraries and foster co-productions.

History

Founding and early years

M7 Group S.A. was established in October 2009 in the as a provider of satellite services for consumers and businesses. The company emerged from the consolidation of three established direct-to-home (DTH) satellite platforms operating in the region: Canal Digitaal Satelliet in the , TV Vlaanderen in (Belgium), and TéléSat in (Belgium). This formation allowed M7 Group to centralize operations under a single entity headquartered in Luxembourg, focusing initially on delivering digital TV and radio channels via satellite to households in these markets. Initial operations were centered on the , where the Canal Digitaal satellite platform became a cornerstone of M7 Group's offerings. Launched as part of the consolidation on October 1, 2009, Canal Digitaal provided subscribers with access to hundreds of national and international channels in digital and high-definition formats. The platform targeted residential users seeking premium pay-TV services, building on its pre-existing customer base from prior ownership structures. By early 2010, this focus had already positioned M7 Group to serve more than 1 million viewers across its operations. From the outset, M7 Group forged key partnerships with SES, Europe's leading satellite operator, to secure capacity on Astra satellites. The company utilized transponders at the and 23.5°E orbital positions, enabling reliable distribution of TV signals across the region. In February 2010, for instance, M7 contracted two additional transponders at 23.5°E specifically to expand high-definition TV (HDTV) services for Dutch customers, enhancing content quality and channel variety. These agreements underscored M7's strategy of leveraging prime satellite slots for efficient, high-quality broadcast delivery. Through organic development in the region—emphasizing subscriber retention, content expansion, and service improvements—M7 Group achieved steady growth in its early years. By , the company had expanded its reach to serve over 3 million subscribers, primarily in the , , and , while maintaining a focus on satellite-based TV platforms before broader European ventures. This period laid the foundation for M7's position as a leading independent pay-TV operator in the region.

Expansion and acquisitions

In 2014, Astorg Partners acquired a majority stake in M7 Group, providing the financial backing for an aggressive expansion strategy across . This investment supported the company's diversification into new markets and service enhancements, building on its existing operations in the region. That same year, M7 Group acquired Eutelsat's German direct-to-cable platform KabelKiosk, marking its entry into the German market and strengthening its position in through the existing Skylink platform serving the and . Under Astorg's ownership, M7 integrated its Flemish (TV Vlaanderen) and French-speaking (TéléSAT) services in , optimizing content delivery for bilingual audiences and expanding subscriber access to premium channels. Further growth came in 2015 with the launch of HD Austria, a new direct-to-home platform targeting the market and enhancing M7's regional footprint. In December 2018, M7 significantly bolstered its Central and Eastern European presence by acquiring Liberty Global's DTH operations, including Focus Sat in , UPC Direct in , and in the and , adding approximately 800,000 subscribers. These moves increased M7's overall scale by about 30 percent and diversified its portfolio across seven countries. During this period, M7 shifted toward hybrid TV models, integrating IPTV and services alongside traditional delivery to offer multi-play bundles including video-on-demand and over-the-top content. Platforms like Online.nl in the and meinFernsehen in exemplified this evolution, enabling seamless access across devices and appealing to broadband-enabled households. By 2019, these expansions had grown M7's subscriber base to more than 3 million households.

Acquisition by Canal+ Group

In May 2019, Canal+ Group, a subsidiary of Vivendi, announced its agreement to acquire M7 Group from private equity firm Astorg Partners for just over €1 billion, marking a significant expansion of its European pay-TV footprint. The deal, which valued M7's operations serving over 3 million subscribers across seven countries, received European Commission approval in early September and was completed on September 12, 2019. Prior to the sale, under Astorg's ownership since 2014, M7 had grown through targeted acquisitions in Central and Eastern Europe. The acquisition facilitated the reintegration of M7's Dutch operations into the Canal+ fold, reestablishing historical ties dating back to Universal, under which Canal+'s activities operated until their divestment on September 1, 2004. This move not only bolstered Canal+'s presence in the region but also aligned with its broader strategy to leverage legacy assets for renewed . Following the acquisition, M7 benefited from Canal+ synergies, including to video-on-demand (VOD) libraries and premium sports rights, drawing from Canal+'s annual €3 billion content investment and 6,000-title catalog. These enhancements enabled M7 to introduce hybrid TV services with enriched Canal+ branded channels and on-demand offerings, particularly in sports and films, across its and OTT platforms. M7 has retained its operational independence as a Luxembourg-based , continuing to aggregate and distribute pay-TV services under local brands in seven countries while integrating Canal+ resources for a "premiumisation" push. This structure supports Canal+'s pan-European ambitions, positioning M7 as a key pillar in expansion into European markets representing 36 million households, while maintaining top-10 revenue rankings in and as of December 31, 2024. In October 2024, Yassine Bouzoubaa was appointed CEO of M7 Group.

Operations

Services and offerings

M7 Group's core services revolve around pay-TV delivery through satellite direct-to-home (DTH), internet protocol television (IPTV), and over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms, aggregating over 1,400 channels to provide diverse viewing options across Europe. These offerings feature a rich content mix, including live entertainment programming, premium sports coverage such as Eredivisie league rights in the Netherlands, movies from major libraries, and international channels customized for local languages and cultures. Complementing linear broadcasts, M7 Group maintains a video-on-demand (VOD) with thousands of titles, catch-up functionality for recent episodes, and premium add-ons like Canal+ packs that enhance access to exclusive films, series, and themed content. In addition to television services, the company bundles internet options in select markets and offers mobile applications for hybrid, multi-device access, serving both residential subscribers and clients with integrated solutions. Recent partnerships, such as multi-year distribution deals with in 2025 and Antenna Entertainment in 2024, expand content availability in .

Geographic coverage and brands

M7 Group maintains a significant presence across eight European countries, with primary operations in the region and . In the , services are delivered through the Canal Digitaal and Online.nl brands, targeting satellite and broadband TV audiences. is served via TV Vlaanderen for the Flemish-speaking community and TéléSAT for French-speaking . The and rely on Skylink as the flagship platform, while additional markets encompass under HD Austria, through Diveo, , and with Focus Sat. The group's total subscriber base exceeds 3 million households as of . This footprint positions M7 Group as a leading TV provider in the countries and a key player in , where as of it ranked among the top operators by revenue and held positions such as second in and third in the . Brand strategies emphasize localization to align with cultural and linguistic preferences, including tailored channel lineups with regional content—for instance, Flemish-language programming on TV Vlaanderen to serve Belgium's Dutch-speaking population effectively. These approaches enable M7 Group to integrate international and local offerings, enhancing market penetration across diverse geographies.

Technology and distribution platforms

M7 Group's core technology infrastructure centers on satellite distribution through the SES Astra satellite fleet, primarily utilizing orbital positions at 19.2°E and 23.5°E to broadcast television signals across Europe. These satellites support the delivery of over 90 TV channels in both standard definition and high definition via nine DVB-S2 transponders, enabling efficient modulation and error correction for reliable reception in direct-to-home (DTH) setups. Additionally, the 5°E position extends coverage for specific regional services, forming a robust multi-satellite backbone for the group's pay-TV operations. Complementing satellite capabilities, M7 Group employs a hybrid delivery model that incorporates (IPTV) over and networks, as implemented through its Online.nl broadband service in the , which provides integrated TV, video-on-demand, and . This approach extends to over-the-top (OTT) streaming via dedicated applications compatible with smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets, allowing seamless access to linear and non-linear content without traditional set-top boxes. The supports content aggregation from feeds into IP streams, enhancing flexibility for multiscreen viewing. Strategic partnerships bolster the technological framework, including a multi-year contract extension with SES in 2018 for dedicated transponder capacity to serve and German-speaking markets with high-quality video distribution. For security, M7 Group integrates Viaccess-Orca's conditional access system (CAS), which protects live TV, catch-up, personal video recording, and video-on-demand services across seven European countries using card-based . These alliances ensure scalable and secure content delivery tailored to diverse broadcast standards. Recent innovations focus on advanced encoding and to optimize bandwidth and . The transition to (HEVC) enables efficient compression for 4K UHD broadcasts, as demonstrated in live events like UEFA EURO 2020 matches delivered via Astra 23.5°E, reducing data requirements while maintaining quality. Interactive features, including live pause, rewind, seven-day catch-up, and restart functions, are embedded in OTT apps and hybrid platforms, supporting enhanced engagement on connected devices.

Corporate structure

Ownership and governance

M7 Group has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Canal+ Group since its acquisition in 2019, with Canal+ Group itself operating as a subsidiary of S.A.. The transaction, valued at approximately €1 billion, was approved by the , granting Canal+ sole control over M7's operations across Europe.. Governance of M7 Group falls under the oversight of Canal+ Group's Management Board and Supervisory Board, which provide strategic direction for all subsidiaries, including European pay-TV activities.. While integrated into this , M7 maintains operational from its base in , allowing localized decision-making in line with its regional focus.. M7 Group ensures regulatory compliance with the European Union's Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), which coordinates rules for audiovisual services across member states, as well as national media laws in countries such as the , , , and the region.. This adherence supports fair competition and content standards in digital broadcasting.. Strategically, M7 Group integrates into Canal+ Group's broader ecosystem by sourcing premium content from Canal+ libraries, including films and series from , and leveraging group resources for proprietary channels and video-on-demand services.. This alignment enables cross-promotions under the Canal+ brand, enhancing content distribution and subscriber growth across European markets..

Headquarters and key personnel

M7 Group's headquarters is situated in , in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, at 2 Rue Albert Borschette. This strategic location leverages Luxembourg's favorable tax regime and central position in , functioning as an efficient operational and administrative hub for the company's pan-European activities. The leadership team is led by Yassine Bouzoubaa, who became CEO on January 1, 2025, succeeding Hans Troelstra, and is responsible for guiding the company's growth in satellite and streaming pay-TV services across and . Frederic Berardi has served as since 2022, managing financial operations and supporting integrations with the parent Canal+ Group following its 2019 acquisition. Tobias Eulgem acts as , overseeing video services, platform development, and key technology partnerships for M7's distribution infrastructure. M7 Group's organizational structure features a centralized that coordinates regional operations through dedicated managing directors. For instance, Alco de Jong serves as Country Manager for , while Ladislav Rehacek holds the role of VP and Country Manager for the and in ; these regional leaders report directly to the executive team in to ensure localized execution of broader strategies. The company employs approximately 1,100 staff members across its European footprint, with a significant portion dedicated to technology development, , and roles to sustain its and IP-based service delivery.

References

  1. https://www.canalplusgroup.com/en/group/europe-2
  2. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/m7-group-sa
  3. https://www.astorg.com/news/astorg-backed-m7-group-to-buy-eastern-european-dth-operations-from-liberty-global
  4. https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/rlpc-astorg-acquires-majority-stake-in-tv-firm-m7-idUSL6N0Q34D9/
  5. https://www.astorg.com/news/astorg-enters-into-a-binding-agreement-with-canal-for-the-sale-of-the-m7-group
  6. https://hu.linkedin.com/company/m7-group-sa?trk=ppro_cprof
  7. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/m7-group-sa/372700834
  8. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/09/29/m7-group-consolidates-benelux-dth-platforms/
  9. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/05/27/canal-group-acquires-m7/
  10. https://www.digitalbroadcasting.com/doc/m7-group-contracts-two-additional-0001
  11. https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2011/11/22/ses-leases-astra-capacity-to-luxembourgs-m7-group/
  12. https://astorg-website.files.svdcdn.com/production/downloads/press-releases/2014/172328-pressrelease-m7group.pdf?dm=1598003781
  13. https://www.emendocapital.com/track-record/astorg-m7
  14. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/05/20/m7-group-to-acquire-kabelkiosk-from-eutelsat/
  15. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2015/10/21/m7-group-to-build-up-new-dth-platform-in-austria/
  16. https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2015/02/18/m7-group-evolving-into-hybrid-pay-tv-service-provider/
  17. https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/canal-group-announces-acquisition-project-of-m7-to-expand-its-european-footprint/
  18. https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/canal-plus-gets-greenlight-for-m7-acquisition
  19. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/58730-77
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  21. https://www.advanced-television.com/2024/10/04/bouzoubaa-named-ceo-of-m7-group/
  22. https://rocketreach.co/m7-group-profile_b5ced13bf42e0987
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  24. https://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m9416_232_3.pdf
  25. https://www.stream-group.nl/news/m7-takes-cable-tv-to-smartphones-and-tablets/
  26. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2025/06/11/amc-networks-secures-multi-territory-agreement-with-m7-group/
  27. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/10/31/m7-and-antenna-entertainment-expand-cee-satellite-distribution/
  28. https://tracxn.com/d/companies/m7-group/__j9XXsdcw15Dqoz9aEesCj4tJDdObam7TA1nGcsU8B9A
  29. https://www.media-press.tv/blog/media-press/m7-selects-media-press-group-as-pan-european-metadata-provider/
  30. https://vegaawards.com/winner-info.php?id=2611
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  38. https://www.viaccess-orca.com/what-s-new/pr/606-m7-group-chooses-viaccess-orca-cas-to-secure-dth-services-across-seven-european-countries.html
  39. https://www.ses.com/press-release/m7-broadcast-uefa-euro-2020-ultra-hd-dutch-sports-fans-ses
  40. https://www.harmonicinc.com/press-releases/m7-group-delivers-live-uhd-iconic-soccer-tournament-harmonic/
  41. https://www.canalplusgroup.com/en/governance
  42. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/audiovisual-and-media-services
  43. https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/luxembourg/corporate/group-taxation
  44. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/10/04/yassine-bouzoubaa-named-ceo-of-m7-group/
  45. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/09/14/m7-group-appoints-frederic-berardi/
  46. https://lu.linkedin.com/in/frederic-berardi-7568a83
  47. https://rocketreach.co/m7-group-management_b5ced13bf42e0987
  48. https://lu.linkedin.com/in/tobias-eulgem-4193445
  49. https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/06/22/alco-de-jong-new-country-manager-benelux-at-m7-group/
  50. https://nl.linkedin.com/in/alco-de-jong-119992
  51. https://growjo.com/company/M7_Group
  52. https://www.owler.com/company/m7group
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