Canal+ was a Spanish satellite broadcasting platform. It was previously known as Digital+ since its launch in 2003, and from 2011 it was known as Canal+, being named after its main premium channel. Formed on 23 July 2003 as a result of the equal merger of Via Digital (owned by Telefónica) and Canal Satélite Digital (owned by Sociedad de Television Canal Plus, S.A.), it was the largest pay-TV broadcaster in Spain. The company used to be a subdivision of Sogecable (renamed Prisa TV in 2010) with shares held by Mediaset Espana and Telefónica. In October 2011, Digital+ changed its name to Canal+. History Merging to Vía Digital Before the creation of Digital+, there were two pay-TV companies in Spain: Vía Digital, owned by Telefónica and which operated through Hispasat, and Canal Satélite Digital, property of Sogecable, which used Astra for their services. The economic loss of both them in the early years and Telefónica's none investment in its division motivated the fusion process between them for merging, apart from the government. The process finished on 8 May 2002. The agreement closed the acquisition of Vía Digital by Sogecable, carrying out a capital increase in 23% for Vía Digital shareholders. The resultant company would take in 2.5 million subscribers. However, the agreement was subject to CNMC intervention. After several months of consideration, on 28 August 2002 CNMC published a report in which the organization recognized that the existence of both satellite companies was unviable, but it warned of fusion's danger to free competition, in markets like movies and sports broadcasting, as well as in pay-TV channels production. On 13 November CNMC Defense Court sent the definitive report to the government, containing 10 conditions, including PPV's cession to cable companies, and limitations in football clubs rights contracts renewals. Days later, on 29 November, Ministers Council approved the fusion, with an increase to 34 conditions (24 more ones than CNMC requested). These requirements did not satisfy anyone: companies involved in integration of the two companies (Sogecable, Vía Digital and Telefónica) as well as affected business because of it, such as Telecinco, Mediapark (Teuve), cable companies joined in ONO and AOC throughout Auna had brought administrative appeals before Supreme Court. Even though, the merger followed its process and on 21 July 2003 the new resultant pay-TV company was born in Astra and Hispasat: Digital+. But business’ creation was controversial, because of cable companies and