Canalnumedia, a subsidiary of French television and film group Canal +, has acquired a Dublin-based Internet start-up for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is the first investment in the Republic by Europe's largest pay-television and film group and may be used as a test run before Canal moves into the British market.

Filmline Ltd, which was founded last summer by Internet entrepreneur Ms Johanna Ryder, currently offers film and booking information over the telephone.