Canal Plus' French digital satellite platform CanalSatellite has reached the 1.5 million subscribers mark, and claims to be the first European digital satellite platform to show a profit.

The DTH platform, launched in 1996 as an analogue service, currently offers some 200 channels. Recent additions to its line-up include film news channel AlloCine Television, celtic channel TV Breizh and Motors TV. The operator has also been allowed to carry French public broadcasters France 2 and France 3, which until recently were carried exclusively by rival Television Par Satellite (TPS).

Upcoming launches include a new children's channel, Mini J, Playboy TV, a video game platform (in partnership with UK specialist Static) and a series of services developed in partnership with the Lagardere publishing group, which is a 34% shareholder in CanalSatellite since January 2000.

CanalSatellite is expecting a $512m (FFr4bn) turnover in 2000, up from $384m (FFr3bn) in 1999, including $76.8m (FFr600m) in interactive services sales.