Network Movistar+ Replaced by Cero | Country Spain Founded 8 June 1990, Spain | |
Launched September 14, 1990 (1990-09-14) Closed February 1, 2016 (2016-02-01) Owners Telefónica (2015–2016), PRISA TV (1990–2015) | ||
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 (Canal+ Red) and Canal+ Azul (Canal+ Blue). 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 branding was abandoned and several movie and sports channels were launched.
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 July 29, 2005. From November 2005, its analogue terrestrial frequencies were given to Sogecable's new channel named Cuatro ("Four").
A High-definition version of Canal+ (Canal+ HD) was on air. In 2010 it became the first Spanish channel to offer 3D TV through Canal+ 3D.
From 1 February 2016, it was replaced by new channel #0 (Cero).