Andre Yoskowitz
10 Oct 2012 20:48
Canal Plus CEO Bertrand Meheut has let it slip that Amazon is preparing to launch a subscription video-on-demand service next year, most likely in March.
Meheut told the French Council of State: "Amazon will launch its SVOD service in France in March 2013. We know it because our branch Studio Canal has been selling exclusive rights to Amazon for a launch of their service in March on the Kindle Fire."
Canal Plus has been banned from keeping VOD and SVOD rights exclusive for its own network, following its merger of main competitor TPS. Canal Plus has been arguing that needs such rights to able to compete against companies like Amazon, which have quickly gained market share outside of their native nation.
Amazon, for example, has two million subscribers in Europe through its LoveFilm SVOD business and would likely not have to abide by French regulations barring exclusive rights.