Freebox Ultra subscribers now have permanent access to Canal+ La Chaîne, a benefit valued at nearly €192 annually, as the French telecommunications provider reshapes the landscape of bundled entertainment services. The move, announced this week, provides subscribers with the full Canal+ channel lineup, including recent film releases just six months after their theatrical debut, original series, documentaries, youth programming, and live sports coverage.
The offering includes every Wednesday’s marquee match from the UEFA Champions League, a weekly Premier League game, two TOP 14 rugby matches each week, and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1 and MotoGP racing. This substantial inclusion is available to Freebox Ultra customers at no additional cost, so long as they maintain their subscription.
Free is also extending a limited-time offer to subscribers of its Pop and Ultra Essentiel plans, providing three months of full access to Canal+ La Chaîne upon activation. After the trial period, the service will automatically convert to a standard subscription of €15.99 per month, billed directly through Canal+, but remains contractually flexible, allowing subscribers to cancel at any time.
Activation is streamlined through the Freebox Player TV, requiring either the input of IBAN details or authorization to transfer existing banking information held by Free. The latter option simplifies the process, avoiding manual data entry. During the initial three-month period, no charges are applied; the IBAN is solely used to establish a Canal+ account.
Recent enhancements to the service include the integration of a short-duration replay feature, allowing viewers to catch up on missed programs via the Canal+ application across multiple devices – including smartphones, tablets, computers, and compatible smart TVs. This expands viewing flexibility beyond live broadcasts.
According to industry observers, the partnership between Free and Canal+ represents a significant disruption to the French telecommunications market. The inclusion of a premium channel typically sold separately challenges competitors to match the value proposition. As of November 19, 2025, Freebox Pop is available for €29.99 per month, while the more comprehensive Freebox Ultra package, which includes Canal+ La Chaîne, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Universal+ and Cafeyn, is priced higher. The Freebox Révolution plan requires a commitment to Canal+ as an optional add-on, increasing the overall cost.
Canal+ is now accessible on all compatible Freebox plans, with options ranging from basic access to more comprehensive packages including Canal+ Ciné Séries and Canal+ Sport, which bundle additional streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and beIN SPORTS. The availability of these options varies based on subscription level and may require a 24-month commitment.
