The media storm around the “Puppets” masked a battle atop Canal +, which ended on Friday July 3 by the departure of his number two, Rodolphe Belmer. His disgrace was given by a press Vivendi, owner of the group, who named his assistant Maxime Saada, the General Director. Reportedly, the last meeting between Rodolphe Belmer and direction of Vivendi held Wednesday for over an hour. It was after this interview that Vincent Bolloré has taken its decision.
This is a strong sign of regaining control of the chain by the Bolloré group, which nevertheless sought reassurance on the future of the famous latex puppets. The Chairman of the Vivendi Supervisory Board explained, during a works council that their survival was assured. “The Puppets are the heritage of Canal + which was, I recall, created by Havas [Breton man whose business is also the major shareholder] there is thirty “ and ” It is out of the question to deprive themselves of this asset which is owned by the group, “ he then explained to Agence France-Presse. While indicating that “leaders Canal and Vivendi should decide what format and at what time they should be distributed” .
Vivendi, the controversy of recent days had moved Mr Bolloré’s will was not to delete “Les Guignols de l’info” for political reasons, but rather to send a strong message to Canal +. Industrial judge to do significantly change the grid of the chain, whose audience was down
In this context, the game broadcast unencrypted. – Which includes “Le Grand Journal” and “Les Guignols de l’info” – is likely to experience changes. The transition from daily to weekly satirical show periodicity is a hypothesis, but not the only one. The broadcast schedule could be another variable and the idea of a passage by paying, as a loss leader to generate the subscription, also exists.
“This is a small victory, was responding on Friday, a member of the team of “Puppets”. But if you pass us on Sunday for twenty minutes, even when they kill us. The Puppets is a daily program. “
Challenging the status of” Puppets “or” Grand Journal “is also clearly to Mr Bolloré a way to shake up the current management. Rodolphe Belmer was number two in the group for twelve years and patron of the channel’s programs. But the willingness of Vivendi reform programs conflict with some decisions already taken by the management of Canal + for the next season. Bolloré speaks of transforming the “Grand Journal” gold contract has already been renewed with KM, Renaud production company Le Van Kim, who directed and produced the show since 2004. In addition, Canal + recently bought the company that created the puppets of “Puppets” and has hosted in its premises.
The pay-TV and free group certainly has good results but faces different challenges, including its Canal + branch France. Sports programs and the costs have increased because of the offensive of the chain beIN Sports. Competition changes, including the arrival of Netflix. Finally, subscriptions in France are not progressing, or even fell slightly.
To answer this, we need to reform Canal +, Vivendi think, and one of the solutions is to reduce costs . Where the track mentioned in the works council, Friday, July 3, if necessary to promote domestic production. A message that can be applied for example to the “Grand Journal” produced by the KM external company. A program that is considered expensive (100 000 per day, according to Challenges ) and the audience down. Renaud Le Van Kim, director of “Grand Journal”, met the new CEO, Maxime Saada on Friday night. He said he was not about to stop the “Grand Journal at this stage.” The production and management of Canal + must reconnect in a few days.
“Bolloré raises the carpet and see that there are generous contracts that have not been renegotiated since forever, analyzes an employee. Finally we have a real shareholder who makes the records in hand. “ At a time when a social plan of 39 people is underway in the group, employees are sensitive to this speech in favor of domestic production.
The recovery in brutal hand Canal + by Vincent Bolloré takes place after an observation period of several months. Vivendi considers that, since the fall, sent messages calling for reforms. Messages that, in his view, have been insufficiently taken into account.
Mr. Bolloré is true to its reputation for unpredictability: when he arrived, everyone was asked about the future of Meheut, 64 and Rodolphe Belmer, 45, the pair has rebounded since 2002 the chain after Messier era. The first was designated as the second dolphin, before changing his mind. Bolloré was first confirmed Mr. Meheut then he gave new functions in the group Mr. Belmer, placed at the head of a new division called “Vivendi Contents”, responsible for developing new formats with Canal + as well as Universal Music and Studio Canal, the production subsidiary. This sign of confidence did not prevent it sacrificed Friday … “on the recommendation” Mr. Meheut treacherously points the press Vivendi.
Since 2002, Canal + (which, in addition to film production, has free channels D8 and D17) was accustomed to live independently. Now the group level is becoming increasingly important. Contents Besides Vivendi, Mr. Bolloré has recently launched Vivendi Village, which includes diversification as ticketing, but also wants nursery small entities as Watchever, platform competitor Netflix video in Germany. An activity that could conceivably be linked to Canal +, as the Dailymotion video platform, but both have been included in Vivendi. “In the extreme, one could imagine that epitomizes the Vivendi group in which Canal + becomes a simple string” , says one expert from home.
The new boss Vivendi has taken another step in taking power. “Mr Bolloré does not like people telling him no, recalls that source. This is what has played in recent days. “
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