CANAL+ Taps Holoconnects to Teleport Hologram Journalists to the TV Studio

CULEMBORG, The Netherlands — APRIL 2025 — Holoconnects, a leading technology provider of 3D holographic solutions, today announced the deployment of its Holobox technology at a studio of CANAL+, the French premium television channel. CANAL+ is using Holobox to teleport journalists from football stadiums around Europe to the studio during the station’s coverage of the Champions League football tournament, which airs live several times per week. The TV host and guests engage with holograms of presenters and football players in real time with Holoconnects’ advanced holographic display. CANAL+ just secured the broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League from 2024 to 2027. Here is a video from the broadcast.

Holoconnects’ Holobox stands over two meters tall and delivers unparalleled engagement by creating an immersive experience through a 4K high-resolution 3D holographic visualization of a person, product or logo. The Holobox is a ‘plug and play’ system, which makes it very easy for the CANAL+ studio to use as it only requires electricity and the internet to bring in live holograms from the football stadiums. The live broadcast is enabled by a simple studio setup at the football stadium, and the technology allows journalists at the stadium to engage in live discussion with the host and studio guests.

“The Holobox allows us to insert a journalist on the set via a live hologram,” said CANAL Champions Club host Hervé Mathoux. “By inserting our field staff into the discussion at the studio as if they were around us, we are creating real immersion which enriches the vision of CANAL Champions Club.” Quoted from Sportsbusiness

Holoconnects’ holographic technology creates immersive experiences and has broad applications in industries including hospitality, travel, healthcare, retail, entertainment, communications, events, education, advertising and more. Holoconnects continues to expand its product offerings and enter into new market sectors. In June 2024, the company gained international media attention for implementing its hologram technology at Crescent Regional Hospital in Lancaster, Texas – the first time holograms have been used by a hospital in the United States to teleport doctors to remote locations.

Product specifications and features for the Holobox include: 

• 86” (1895 x 1066 mm) transparent LCD screen/display area: Offers life-size, realistic holographic projection. Additional sizes are also available, also in a modular and Hologrid set-up.
• Dimensions: 81” (206 cm) height x 55” (140 cm) width x 30” (76 cm) depth
• Weight: 440 lbs (200 kg); easy to transport with a flight case
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Advanced touch system: 20-point IR (Infrared) multi-touch system operates the Holobox
• Anti-glare glass: Provides as little reflection as possible for the best experience
• Built-in HiFi speakers:  2 front-facing, 80W HiFi speakers for sublime sound
• Extended ports: 2 HDMI ports, 1 USB port, 1 USB touch port, 1 LAN port, Power connector, 6.3mm jack output, dimmable lights, turn off/on touchscreen.
• Power consumption: 800Wh – < 0.5 Wh (standby)

“The Champions League is about exceptional performance at the highest level and CANAL+ has created a format that captures that spirit perfectly,” said Holoconnects’ co-founder and CEO André Smith. “We are thrilled that we can help make the thoughtful discussion in the studio more engaging and fun for the audience.”

About Holoconnects

Holoconnects is a leading technology company specializing in 3D holographic solutions. With a team of industry experts and a commitment to innovation, Holoconnects is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that transform various industries. Holoconnects’ holographic technology creates immersive experiences and has broad applications in industries including healthcare, travel, communications, events, education, advertising, and more, enabling businesses to engage customers, enhance branding and optimize operations. 

Founded in 2020, Holoconnects is a privately held company based in The Netherlands. Follow Holoconnects on LinkedIn or learn more at https://holoconnects.com.

About CANAL+

THE CANAL+ GROUP IS A GLOBAL MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT GROUP WITH LEADING POSITIONS IN HIGH-GROWTH AND MATURE MARKETS

Founded as a French subscription-TV channel 40 years ago, the CANAL+ group is now a global media and entertainment company with a brand recognised worldwide amongst the Top 50 Most Valuable French Brands*. The CANAL+ group has 26.8 million subscribers worldwide, over 400 million monthly active users on its OTT and video streaming platforms, and a total of approximately 9,000 employees. It generates revenues in 195 countries and operates directly in 52 countries, with leading positions in 20 of them. It operates across the entire audio-visual value chain, including production, broadcast, distribution and aggregation. A unique media company with a balanced geographical footprint in both high-growth and mature markets, the CANAL+ group has significant equity stakes across Europe, Asia and Africa, namely in Viaplay (the Pay-TV leader in Scandinavia), Viu (a leading OTT platform in Southern-Asia) and Multichoice (the Pay-TV leader in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa), in addition to its direct activities.