Canal+ expands, SaaS tools emerge, streaming & media grow

Welcome back to Subscriptions Weekly! This week, the spotlight is on streaming and SaaS innovation. Canal+ completes its $2B takeover of MultiChoice, fresh research values the streaming market at nearly $811B, and Paramount Skydance is positioning for scale. On the SaaS side, we cover WISP Builder’s new compliance tools, Experian’s KYC launch, and Sidetrade’s strong rebound. And don’t miss tomorrow’s big event: Subscription Sessions: Going global — a virtual discussion with industry leaders on how to expand smarter across borders.

Canal+ finalizes $2B MultiChoice takeover

Canal+ has completed its $2 billion acquisition of MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV and streaming operator. The deal consolidates Canal+’s footprint in emerging markets and sets the stage for expanded streaming services and cross-border content distribution. Read more

Streaming’s footprint nears $811B amid bundling, ad tiers & AI monetization

A new report estimates the global streaming market at ~US$811 billion, fueled by the adoption of ad-supported tiers, bundling strategies, and AI-driven monetization models. Platforms are experimenting with hybrid approaches to protect margins and sustain growth. Read more

New SaaS compliance tools for accounting & tax firms

WISP Builder introduced WISP Assist and WISP Review, SaaS services that help accounting and tax firms comply with IRS and FTC-mandated data security requirements. The tools simplify subscription-based compliance management and documentation. Read more

Paramount Skydance positioned for streaming scale

Analysts highlight Paramount Skydance (PSKY) as a company with untapped potential. With CBS leading in broadcast, Paramount+ steadily growing, and a strong theatrical pipeline, Paramount is focused on building scale to compete globally in the Streaming Wars. Read more

Sidetrade’s SaaS subscriptions lead its 2025 rebound

Sidetrade reported €29.3M in revenue for H1 2025, up 18–19% YoY, with SaaS subscription revenue growing 24–25%. Growth is particularly strong among enterprise accounts with annual revenue above €2.5B, highlighting SaaS demand at scale. Read more

Experian launches new KYC solution in UK

Experian has introduced a “Perpetual Monitoring” KYC tool in the UK, continuously tracking customer data changes and automatically flagging risks. The subscription-based service helps financial institutions reduce compliance costs and improve oversight. Read more

Automotive Streaming Council launched

A coalition of streaming platforms, media companies, and data firms has created the Automotive Streaming Council (ASC) to set unified standards for ad measurement and attribution. The initiative aims to improve trust and ROI for subscription-streaming platforms serving automotive advertisers. Read more

Social media management market to hit $206B by 2034

New research forecasts the social media management market will expand from $38.4B in 2024 to $206.4B by 2034 (18.3% CAGR). SaaS subscription platforms like Sprout Social, lead the space, with analytics holding a 45% market share. Read more

New from Recurly

HAPPENING TOMORROW, Subscription Sessions: Going global.

Growth is good. Global growth? Even better.

On September 24, we’re giving you the blueprint to scale smarter, with strategies, demos, and real-world insights from leaders at Atlas, Finsi, Beatport, Uniti Group Inc., AdvisoryCloud, and The Arena Group. All brought to you together with our partners at Adyen and Avalara. It’s fast. It’s free. It’s virtual.

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NEW WEBINAR: Fall Release Showcase + Recurly AI Demo

Big things are coming. On October 21, we’re pulling back the curtain on the Fall Release Showcase, packed with innovations built to supercharge subscriber growth. See Recurly Compass, our AI engine for subscriptions, in action. Discover what’s new across the Recurly platform.

Get answers live from our product team in a rapid-fire Q&A.

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Available on-demand: What European consumers want in 2025

With the average subscriber managing 12 services, nearly 80% say it’s overwhelming. Join this live session to uncover what today’s consumers truly prioritize, which groups are most at risk of churning, and the tactics that keep them engaged. Watch now on-demand