Ex-France 3 boss named Canal+ thematic channels chief

French pay TV operator Canal+ has named former France Télévisions executive Thierry Langlois as head of its thematic channels.

He will occupy a new post that groups together documentary, art and lifestyle, entertainment and kids channels in a single structure. Langlois will also be charged with heading up Canal+’s sport and cinema services.

Langlois, who will report to Maxime Saada, Canal+ Group’s deputy CEO in charge of pay TV channels, had served as head of broadcasting and programmes at public channel France 3 since 2011 before exiting this year.

He has also held other senior roles at France Télévisions and served as audiovisual and animated image director at France’s content creation organisation the CNC in 2010.

France Télévisions’ director-general Rémy Pflimlin confirmed Langlois’ departure from the public broadcaster in April, and France Télévisions announced in late May that the channel’s director of factual programming, Dana Hastier, would replace him.