What if the greatest series is the one behind the series you’ve been watching? BETC and Canal+ prowess at producing advertising that surprises has released their most surprising ad yet. It’s the trailer for the history of Canal+, a gripping drama that feels larger than life but is all true and underlines the platform’s presence as a cultural force.

The Trailer brings to the screen the milestones that have defined Canal+’s 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.

“Summarising 40 years of creativity, passion, and boldness in just 2 minutes—what an achievement. This advertisement brilliantly captures the uniqueness of the CANAL+ story,” stated Maxime Saada, CEO of CANAL+.”

The Trailer is available in a long-form version (2:20 minutes) and two shorter formats (30- & 40- seconds), as part of a massive media rollout launched on November 3 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.

The campaign was so immersive, the French truly believed a new series was about to launch.

Credits:
Client: CANAL+
Client Team: Emilie Pietrini, Celine Pontygayot, Camille Henault

Creative Agency: BETC Paris
Chief Creative Officer: Stephane Xiberras
Executive Creative Director: Nicolas Lautier
Art Director: Romain Arrigoni
Copywriter: Antoine Gauquelin
Account Team: Bertille Toledano, Mathilde Lancon, Adrien Bletton, Camille Sechaud, Kenza Daoudi
Strategic Planners: Sebastien Houdusse, Mia Assor
Creative Resources Coordinator: Nina Kaufman
TV Producer: Antoine Bagot

Production Company: DIVISION
Sound Company: GUM