Canal Plus Belgique, the French-language division of Canal Plus’ Belgian paybox sold last year by Vivendi Universal, will be relaunched in October as BeTV by new owners Dificom.
Dificom boss Daniel Weekers, who has regained control of the company he founded, has not released program changes. Insiders suggest that the basic channel offering of Canal Plus, Canal Plus Yellow and Canal Plus Blue will be doubled, with a sports channel, a cinema channel and one other added.
Channels on the full pay TV package could increase from 40 to 60. Interactive services such as pay-per-view are planned.
Dificom and a group of Belgian cable operators acquired Canal Plus Belgique at the end of 2003. Flemish cabler Telenet, which is backed by U.S.-based group Callahan Associates, bought the Flemish side of Canal Plus in Belgium.
