[STOCKHOLM] Swedish media group NENT stated it noticed subscribers to its streaming service Viaplay leap 33 per cent within the fourth quarter to high 4 million because it expanded screening of Nordic noir crime dramas to extra nations and broadcast sporting occasions.
Releasing its quarterly outcomes on Tuesday (Feb 8), NENT additionally forecast paid customers would attain 6.5 million this yr.
The corporate has been spending closely on producing authentic Nordic noir crime tales akin to “The Bridge” and getting rights to sporting occasions because it expands to extra nations whereas competing with larger rivals Netflix and Disney+ .
NENT, which launched its companies in the US in December by Comcast, plans to launch within the Netherlands and the UK in 2022.
“The primary indications are optimistic, nevertheless it’s solely by one distributor, Comcast, … the actual uplift within the US might be once we add extra distribution and our personal direct-to-consumer app which can comply with in due time,” chief government Workplace Anders Jensen stated in an interview.
Viaplay, which counts Sweden as its largest market, is obtainable in different Nordic nations and in addition plans to launch in Canada, Germany, Austria and Switzerland by the top of 2023.
Its growth in larger streaming markets will make it face off with bigger gamers with large content material budgets. HBO Max for one has been quickly increasing throughout Europe with plans to launch in 15 European nations this yr.
“We’re representing Nordic content material and that could be a pretty small area of interest … companies like Netflix, HBO and others are getting more and more alike which makes it tougher for them to distinguish,” Jensen stated.
With plans for greater than 70 authentic exhibits in 2022, NENT additionally has rights to sporting occasions akin to Bundesliga, English Premier League, UEFA competitions, Formulation One and Winter sports activities.
Adjusted quarterly working revenue fell to 121 million Swedish crowns (S$17.8 million) in contrast with 426 million a yr earlier, together with a 219 million affect as a result of Viaplay’s worldwide growth. REUTERS