Canal+ names new head of sports

French pay TV outfit Canal+ has named Thomas Sénécal as director of sports.

Sénécal,who will report to Gérald-Brice Viret, head of broadcasting and programming at Canal+ France, will take up his new position on July 1. He currently holds the position of deputy head of editorial in charge of motorsports and general sport.

Sénécal will replace Thierry Cheleman, the pay TV group’s veteran head of sports who is leaving the company in June when he turns 70 years of age.

Cheleman will remain with parent group Vivendi, the company he joined over 20 years ago, until December.

“Thomas is a great professional and, since he joined the group, he has shown his capacity to supervise all disciplines on our channels, over and above his predilection for motorsports. Under his direction, Formula 1 and MotoGP have broken records. His vision, hard work and aptitude in overcoming all challenges will be the essential qualities to lead the sports service to greater success.  I wish him, in the name of the group, the greatest success in this position,” said Viret.

“I would like to warmly thanks Thierry Cheleman for his multiple and significant contributions to the sports division of Canal+ over the last seven years. His great professionalism, determination and renowned expertise have enabled sports to flourish and become one of the major pillars of our broadcast channels.”