Canal+ (Spanish TV channel)


Canal+ was a Spanish commercial television channel, launched in September 1990 on terrestrial television frequencies. The channel was operated by Telefónica and was available on the digital satellite television and IPTV platform Movistar+.
In 1997, new channels using the Canal+ brand were launched in Spain. Just as on the other markets were Canal+ was present, the channels were named after colours: Canal+ Rojo and Canal+ Azul. A special channel broadcasting content in 16:9 aspect ratio was launched later on, but it was replaced by a time-shift channel in 2001. In 2003, the colour channels were replaced with the 2nd channel called Canal+ 2 and three movies and sports channels. The major were effected from 21 July 2003.
In 2005, the Spanish government agreed on a change in the license terms for the channel. The permission to change the channel from a mostly encrypted channel into a 24-hour free-to-air channel was officially given by the council of ministers on 29 July 2005. From November 2005, its analogue terrestrial frequencies were given to Sogecable's new channel named Cuatro.
A High-definition version of Canal+ was on air. In 2010, it became the first Spanish channel to offer 3D TV through Canal+ 3D.
On 8 July 2015, cable providers stopped carrying the channel.
From 1 February 2016, it was replaced by a new channel #0.