{{Redirect|Xee|other uses|XEE (disambiguation){{!}}XEE}} {{Short description|Pan-Nordic media and entertainment company}} {{Multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=June 2018}} {{Copy edit|date=June 2025}} {{Prose|date=June 2025}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = Viaplay Group AB | former_name = Nordic Entertainment Group (2018–2022) | logo = | logo_size = 250px | type = Publicly traded Aktiebolag | traded_as = {{OMX|SSE171334|VPLAY A}}, {{OMXb|SSE171335|VPLAY B}} | industry = Media, radio, streaming, TV | predecessor = | founded = {{Start date and age|2018|07|01|df=yes}} | hq_location = Stockholm, Sweden | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Jorgen Madsen Lindemann (CEO)|Enrique Patrickson (CFO)}} | brands = {{ubl|Viaplay|Viaplay Select|Allente|TV3|TV6|TV8|TV10|}} | owner = Canal+ (29%)<br />PPF (29%) | revenue = {{decrease}} SEK 12,003 billion (2020) | operating_income = {{increase}} SEK 3,186 billion (2020) | net_income = {{increase}} SEK 2,226 billion (2020) | assets = {{increase}} SEK 15,949 billion (2020) | equity = {{increase}} SEK 3,236 billion (2020) | num_employees = 1,708 (2020) | website = {{URL|https://www.viaplaygroup.com}} }} '''Viaplay Group AB''', formerly known as '''Nordic Entertainment Group AB''' ('''NENT Group'''), is a Swedish media and entertainment company headquartered in Stockholm.
The company operates the video streaming services Viaplay, advertising-funded TV and radio channels, as well as the studio production company Viaplay Studios. Viaplay Group was founded in 2018 as a spinoff from MTG. Viaplay Group's first day as a publicly traded company was on 28 March 2019 listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group Listing|url=https://www.nentgroup.com/investors/nent-group-listing|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Nordic entertainment group|language=en}}</ref>
==History== In March 2018, the Stockholm-headquartered entertainment company Modern Times Group (MTG) initiated a process to split into two companies by spinning off its Nordic Entertainment and MTG Studios business segments plus Splay Networks into a new company. This was initiated after Danish telecommunications operator TDC A/S, which had proposed to buy these assets a month earlier, was itself acquired by the Australian private equity investor Macquarie Group. Anders Jensen, previously MTG Executive Vice President and CEO of Nordic Entertainment, was named president and CEO of NENT Group 2018. On 5 June, Jørgen Madsen Lindemann was named president and CEO of Viaplay Group.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Stuart |title=Modern Times Group to split in two |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2018/03/23/modern-times-group-to-split-in-two/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=Digital TV Europe |date=23 March 2018}}</ref>
NENT Group began operating separately on 1 July 2018.<ref name=btn>{{cite news |last1=Briel |first1=Robert |title=Nordic Entertainment Group launches new brand |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/06/11/nordic-entertainment-group-launches-new-brand/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=Broadband TV News |date=11 June 2018}}</ref> On 28 March 2019, shares in Nordic Entertainment Group started trading on Nasdaq Stockholm exchange.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clover |first1=Julian |title=NENT Group shares debut on Nasdaq Stockholm |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/03/28/nent-group-shares-debut-on-nasdaq-stockholm/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=Broadband TV News |date=28 March 2019}}</ref>
NENT Group took a stake in Erik Feig's Picturestart studio along with first look Nordic rights to its content at Picturestart's May 2019 launch.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Veteran Producer and Exec Erik Feig Launches Media Company Picturestart |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/erik-feig-picturestart-1203202933/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=Variety |date=2 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
On 5 May 2020, Pay-TV satellite platform Viasat, which was previously owned by NENT Group, merged with Canal Digital to form Allente. The merger means that NENT Group and Telenor Group owns Allente TV 50% each, but it operates on its own as an independent company. Through the merger, NENT Group's channels, including the V channels, were made available on Allente's platform. NENT Group operated Pay-TV, the Viasat satellite platform in Scandinavia and offered both in-house and third party channels.
On 13 April 2021, the merger of Canal Digital and Viasat in Allente was completed.
On 16 September 2021, NENT Group announced the re-organisation of its studio operations, previously called NENT Studios, as Viaplay Studios. With Viaplay Studios, the company announced that the main focus of the studio operations onwards is content production for the Viaplay streaming platform.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Viaplay Studios Sweden - Brain Academy och Nice Drama slås ihop|url=https://www.expressen.se/noje/blogg/tvbloggen/2021/09/16/viaplay-studios-sweden/|access-date=2021-12-14|website=www.expressen.se|language=sv}}</ref>
On 18 May 2022, the company's shareholders approved the change of the company's name to Viaplay Group.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group is now Viaplay Group|url=https://www.viaplaygroup.com/news/news-releases/nent-group-now-viaplay-group-2022198|access-date=2022-05-18|website=www.viaplaygroup.com|date=18 May 2022 |language=en-UK}}</ref> In July 2022, Viaplay Group acquired U.K.-based sports streamer and pay TV channel operator, Premier Sports, for $36 million<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-21 |title=Viaplay acquires Premier Sports in UK£30m deal to expand UK offering |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/viaplay-premier-sports-uk-launch-2022-uefa-laliga-tv-rights-subscribers/ |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In July 2023, Vivendi's Canal+ Group acquired a 12% minority stake in Viaplay Group for an undisclosed amount of money.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canal+ Takes Minority Stake In Viaplay|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Max|last=Goldbart|date=20 July 2023|access-date=20 July 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/canal-plus-takes-minority-stake-in-viaplay-1235443098/}}</ref> In January 2024, Canal+, in association with PPF, increased its stake to 29%, planning to raise 4 billion krona ($391 million) in order to write down 2 billion krona of debt and renegotiate terms of debt totalling an estimated 14.6 billion krona.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canal+ Ups Stake In Viaplay To 29% As Scandi Outfit Rubberstamps Recap Program|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Max|last=Goldbart|date=12 January 2024|access-date=13 January 2024|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/canal-plus-viaplay-29-stake-confirmed-recapitalization-1235724173/}}</ref>
In November 2023, it was announced that Viaplay Group sold its U.K.-based sports streamer and pay TV channel operator, Premier Sports back to SSBL Limited, just a little over a year after they had become Viaplay channels.<ref>[https://rxtvinfo.com/2023/premier-sports-buys-out-viaplay-uk/ Premier Sports buys out Viably UK]</ref>
==Company structure==
=== The streaming service Viaplay in the Nordics === Viaplay Group operates the streaming service (SVOD) Viaplay, which launched as Viasat OnDemand in Sweden 2007, in 2011 it was rebranded Viaplay.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Så lanserar Viasat nya Viaplay|url=https://www.resume.se/alla-nyheter/nyheter/sa-lanserar-viasat-nya-viaplay/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=www.resume.se|language=sv}}</ref>
Viaplay Group previously operated Viafree, a free streaming service (AVOD) in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.<ref name="btn" /> On 29 November 2021, NENT Group announced that Viafree will soon to be part of Paramount Global (under Pluto TV), with the announcement that the said AVOD streamer will be integrated into Pluto TV on 18 May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=2021-11-29|title=ViacomCBS, NENT Group Team to Launch New Pluto Service in Nordics (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/global/pluto-tv-nent-group-viafree-1235121007/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
On 1 April 2020, Viaplay launched in Iceland, as the final Nordic market to launch the streaming service, making Viaplay available in all Nordic countries,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=2020-03-26|title=NENT Group to Launch Viaplay in Iceland on April 1|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/global/nent-group-to-launch-viaplay-in-iceland-on-april-1-1203545642/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> which was first announced in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group to launch Viaplay in Iceland|url=https://news.cision.com/nordic-entertainment-group/r/nent-group-to-launch-viaplay-in-iceland,c2898076|access-date=2021-12-09|website=News Powered by Cision|date=9 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-09|title=Viaplay concludes Nordic footprint with Iceland launch|url=https://tbivision.com/2019/09/09/viaplay-concludes-nordic-footprint-with-iceland-launch/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=TBI Vision|language=en-US}}</ref>
On 24 June 2020, Viaplay's Finnish service merged with rival Elisa Viihde Aitio, owned by Elisa, to form '''Elisa Viihde Viaplay'''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=NENT's Viaplay to merge with Elisa Viihde in Finland|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2020/06/24/nents-viaplay-to-merge-with-elisa-viihde-in-finland/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Digital TV Europe|language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Viaplay international expansion === At Viaplay Group's Capital Markets Day in November 2020, the company presented its 5-year expansion plan, with targets of 10 added international markets by 2023 (to a total of 15 markets) and a total of 10.5 million subscribers by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=NENT's Viaplay to expand to 10 international markets, including Poland and US|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2020/11/10/nents-viaplay-to-expand-to-10-international-markets-including-poland-and-us/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Digital TV Europe|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group lanserar Viaplay i fem nya marknader och siktar på 12 miljoner abonnenter vid slutet av 2025|url=https://www.nentgroup.com/sv/news/news-releases/nent-group-lanserar-viaplay-i-fem-nya-marknader-och-siktar-pa-12-miljoner|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Nordic entertainment group|language=sv}}</ref> On the following year's CMD, in 2021, Viaplay Group raised the targets to launching Viaplay on at least 16 markets by 2023 and had the subscription target raised to 12 million subscribers by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group lanserar Viaplay i fem nya marknader och siktar på 12 miljoner abonnenter vid slutet av 2025|url=https://www.nentgroup.com/sv/news/news-releases/nent-group-lanserar-viaplay-i-fem-nya-marknader-och-siktar-pa-12-miljoner|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Nordic entertainment group|language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-22|title=Viaplay to expand to more markets|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/09/22/viaplay-to-expand-to-more-markets/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Broadband TV News|language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 11 February 2021, Viaplay Group announced that the company had raised SEK 4.35 Billion to support the company's vision of launching Viaplay on 10 markets by the end of 2023, in line with the communicated expansion plan which was announced on the company's 2020 Capital Markets Day. Poland and the US were presented as two of the new markets, along with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that had already announced.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group directed share issue of 10,600,000 Class B shares raises approximately SEK 4.35 billion|url=https://www.nentgroup.com/news/news-releases/nent-group-directed-share-issue-10600000-class-b-shares-raises-approximately-sek|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Nordic entertainment group|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nent tar in över 4 miljarder för att ta Viaplay till fler marknader|url=https://www.dagensmedia.se/medier/rorligt/nent-tar-in-over-4-miljarder-for-att-ta-viaplay-till-fler-marknader/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=www.dagensmedia.se|language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NENT Group tar in 4,35 miljarder kronor till internationell expansion|url=https://www.realtid.se/nent-group-tar-in-435-miljarder-kronor-till-internationell-expansion|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Realtid|date=11 February 2021 |language=sv}}</ref>
On 9 March 2021, Viaplay launched in the Baltics, adding Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-09|title=Viaplay debuts in the Baltics|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/03/09/viaplay-debuts-in-the-baltics-2/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Broadband TV News|language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 20 May 2021, Viaplay Group announced the launch of Viaplay in the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2022 with exclusive Formula One, Bundesliga and Professional Darts Corporation darting events rights.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-25|title=Viaplay to show PDC darts in the Netherlands from 2022|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/05/25/viaplay-to-show-pdc-darts-in-the-netherlands-from-2022/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Broadband TV News|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-20|title=Viaplay set for the Netherlands|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/05/20/viaplay-set-for-the-netherlands/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Broadband TV News|language=en-GB}}</ref> Less than two months later, the company also announced that it had acquired the rights to the English Premier League in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-07|title=NENT pockets Premier League rights in five more countries|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/premier-league-rights-deal-nent-group-viaplay/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=SportsPro|language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 3 August 2021, the company launched Viaplay in Poland with premium sports rights, and announced the three first Viaplay Originals' productions in Polish – Polish Murderesses, Black Dog and Freedom of the Swallow.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-03|title=Viaplay launches in Poland|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/08/03/viaplay-launches-in-poland/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Broadband TV News|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roxborough|first=Scott|date=2021-08-03|title=Viaplay Greenlights Three Polish Originals for New Streaming Service|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/viaplay-orders-three-polish-original-series-for-svod-1234991840/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>
On 22 September 2021, Viaplay Group announced that Viaplay will launch in at least 16 markets by end of 2023, including the UK in the second half of 2022, and Canada, Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grater|first=Tom|date=2021-09-22|title=Nordic Streaming Service Viaplay To Launch In UK, Canada, Germany, Austria & Switzerland By 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/nordic-streaming-service-viaplay-launch-uk-canada-germany-austria-switzerland-2023-1234841995/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> On Viaplay Group's Capital Markets Day in November 2022, it was announced that the launches in the US and Canada will proceed as planned, while the direct-to-consumer launch in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will wait due to the economic world situation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vimeo |url=https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/769410245 |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=vimeo.com}}</ref>
In July 2022, Viaplay Group has announced that they are officially acquiring Premier Sports prior to the UK launch. The channel, which also include FreeSports, will soon to be rebrand as Viaplay Sports network.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bassam|first=Tom|title=Viaplay acquires Premier Sports in UK£30m deal to expand UK offering|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/viaplay-premier-sports-uk-launch-2022-uefa-laliga-tv-rights-subscribers/|website=SportsPro|date=July 21, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>
On 1 November 2022, the streaming service launched in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-01 |title=Viaplay goes live in the UK |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/11/01/viaplay-goes-live-in-the-uk/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Broadband TV News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 22 February 2023, the direct-to-consumer app launched in the US with a clear focus on premium European content.
On 7 March 2023, Viaplay launched in Canada taking its footprint to 13 direct-to-consumer markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viaplay sets US and Canada direct-to-consumer launch dates |url=https://www.viaplaygroup.com/news/news-releases/viaplay-sets-us-and-canada-direct-consumer-launch-dates-2091415 |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Viaplay Group |date=8 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Szalai |first=Georg |date=2023-02-23 |title=Why a Nordic Streaming Player Is Betting on the U.S. for a Big Expansion |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/viaplay-interview-nordic-noir-streaming-vanda-rapti-1235329763/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Viaplay Select=== In 2022, Viaplay Group created Viaplay Select, a branded content concept for partner platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Layton |first=Mark |date=26 April 2022 |title=Viaplay ramps up global expansion with new Select brand |url=https://tbivision.com/2022/04/26/viaplay-ramps-up-global-expansion-with-new-select-brand/ |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=TBI Vision}}</ref> In less than a year after the first deal was signed had Viaplay Select already launched on 20+ markets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=Viaplay Select launches on Canal+ in Austria |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/01/26/viaplay-select-launches-on-canal-in-austria/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Broadband TV News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Viaplay Select can be found with partners around the world, primarily in countries where the streaming service Viaplay is not available direct-to-consumer. It means that partners get access to a wide selection of Viaplay's successful series, films and documentaries, together with curated third-party content from across the Nordic region. The content is made available in a branded Viaplay section within the partner platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viaplay Select lanserar på CANAL+ i Österrike |url=https://news.cision.com/se/viaplay-group/r/viaplay-select-lanserar-pa-canal--i-osterrike,c3703286 |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=News Powered by Cision |date=26 January 2023 |language=sv}}</ref>
===Advertising funded television (Free-TV)===
Viaplay Group operates advertising funded channels in Scandinavia. Typically, the portfolio structure for these channels is one primary channel (TV3), and then secondary channels (TV6, TV3+ etc...) These channels generate primarily advertising revenues, and are classified as free-TV, but are encrypted and subject to decoding fees.
'''Networks, financed by advertising'''<ref name="btn" /> {|class="wikitable" |- ! Channel type ! Sweden ! Norway ! Denmark ! Finland |- | General | TV3 | TV3 | TV3 | Viaplay TV |- | General secondary | TV6 | TV3+ | TV3+ | |- | Supplementary | TV8<br /> TV10 | TV6 | TV3 Puls<br /> TV3 Max<br /> TV3 Sport<br />See<br />Viaplay Xtra | |}
==== Viaplay TV (+) (Netherlands) ==== On 2 April 2024, Viaplay Group announced a partnership with Talpa under which channel SBS9 will be renamed '''Viaplay TV''' effective 5 April 2024. The channel will cross-promote the Viaplay streaming service by featuring broadcasts of selected sports properties from the service, such as Formula One, PDC darts, and Premier League football.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-02 |title=Talpa Network's SBS9 channel to rebrand as Viaplay TV |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/04/02/talpa-networks-sbs9-channel-to-rebrand-as-viaplay-tv/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Broadband TV News |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 14 March 2025, in anticipation for the start of the 2025 Formula One season, the channel split into 2, with the Viaplay TV name becoming a cable sports channel, while the former Viaplay TV channel position reverted to SBS9. Viaplay TV also launched a premium channel, '''Viaplay TV+''', initially available on ODIDO and DELTA, starting on the same day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SBS9 keert terug en Viaplay lanceert 2 nieuwe sportzenders. |url=https://talpanetwork.com/nieuws/sbs9-keert-terug-nieuwe-viaplay-tv-zenders/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=talpanetwork.com |language=nl}}</ref>
===Pay television===
====TV services====
On 5 May 2020, the merger between Canal Digital and Viasat Consumer was completed, and formed Allente - the Viasat satellite platform<ref name=btn/> in Scandinavia, offering both in-house and third party channels. By owning a 50% stake in the TV distributor Allente, Nordic Entertainment Group distributes its pay-TV channels including V sports, V series and V film in Scandinavia.
The sports channels available in the different Scandinavian countries differ somewhat depending on different rights held for different markets and different business agreements.
The following channels are available in each country: {| class="wikitable" !Sweden !Denmark !Norway !Finland !Netherlands |- |V crime |V crime |V crime |V crime |Viaplay TV |- |V classics |V classics |V classics |V classics |Viaplay TV+ |- |V film premiere |V film premiere |V film premiere |V film premiere | |- |V film action |V film action |V film action |V film action | |- |V film hits |V film hits |V film hits |V film hits | |- |V film family (SD) |V film family (SD) |V film family (SD) |V film family (SD) | |- |V series |V series |V series |Viaplay 1 Urheilu | |- |Viaplay Sport |Viaplay Sport News |V sport + |Viaplay 2 Urheilu | |- |V sport extra |Viaplay Sport 1 |V sport 1 |Viaplay 3 Urheilu | |- |V sport premium |Viaplay Sport 2 |V sport 2 |V sport premium | |- |V sport football |Viaplay Sport 3 |V sport 3 |V sport 1 | |- |V sport vinter |V sport golf |V sport golf |V sport football | |- |V sport motor |V sport ultra HD |V sport ultra HD |V sport vinter | |- |V sport 1 |V sport live (SD) |V sport live (SD) |V sport golf | |- |V sport golf | |V sport Premier League |V sport ultra HD | |- |V sport ultra HD | |V sport Premier League 1 |V sport live (SD) | |- |V sport live (SD) | |V sport Premier League 2 | | |- | | |V sport Premier League 3 | | |- | | |V sport Premier League 4 | | |}
===Radio=== Viaplay Group owns several radio stations in Sweden and P4 Group in Norway: {| class="wikitable" !Sweden !Norway (DAB+) |- |Rix FM, national network in Sweden (FM & DAB+) |P4 Lyden av Norge |- |Star FM, national network in Sweden (FM & DAB+) |P5 Hits |- |Bandit Rock, station in Stockholm (FM & DAB+) |P6 Rock |- |Lugna Favoriter, station in Stockholm (FM & DAB+) |P7 Klem |- |Power Hit Radio, station in Stockholm (DAB+) |P8 Pop |- |I Like Radio, streaming service in Sweden (Internet)<ref name="btn" /> |P9 Retro |- | |P10 Country |- | |P11 Dance |- | |P12 Hitmix |}
===Viaplay Studios=== {{Infobox company | name = Viaplay Studios | type = Subsidiary | industry = Entertainment | former_name = {{Plainlist| * MTG Studios (2012–2014) * The New Black OY (2008–2009) * Northern Alliance Group (2009–2011) * Nice Entertainment Group (2011–2018) * NENT Studios (2018–2021) }} | parent = {{Plainlist| * CapMan (2008–2013) * Modern Times Group (2013–2018) * Viaplay Group (2018–) }} | divisions = {{Plainlist| * Viaplay Studios Norway * Viaplay Studios Sweden }} | website = {{URL|https://www.viaplaygroup.com/brands/studios}} }}
'''Viaplay Studios''' (formerly known as '''MTG Studios''' and later '''NENT Studios''') is a Sweden television production division of Viaplay Group.
====History====
In December 2007, Modern Times Group announced that they have sold independent production and distributor Sonet Film to Swedish film and television production and distribution company Svensk Filmindustri.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sweden's Svensk buys Sonet Film from Modern Times Group|url=https://www.screendaily.com/swedens-svensk-buys-sonet-film-from-modern-times-group/4036299.article|website=Screen Daily|first=Jorn|last=Rossing Jensen|date=December 14, 2007|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref>
In January 2008, Talentum had announced that they sold their Finnish film and television production company Varesvuo Partners along with their subsidiaries Moskito Television, Kaivopuiston Grillifilmi and Angel Films to private equity fund manager, CapMan. This gave the latter a film and television division. Four months later, in May of that same year, CapMan announced that they merged Varesvuo Partners, dba, Moskito Television with Norwegian production company Monster Media AS. This created a new Nordic television, film and commercial production company under the name The New Black OY.<ref>{{cite web|title=CapMan builds Nordic television production company|url=https://capman.com/2008/05/capman-builds-nordic-television-production-company/|website=CapMan|date=May 29, 2008|access-date=September 23, 2024}}</ref>
In September 2009, CapMan announced that they've acquired Swedish scripted and unscripted television production company Baluba and announced that they've merged Finnish independent television production company Moskito Television with Norwegian television production company Monster Media and Danish television producer Gong to form the Scandinavian television production group named Northern Alliance Group.<ref>{{cite web|title=Settman's beautiful millionaire haircut|url=https://www.resume.se/alla-nyheter/nyheter/settmans-skona-miljonklipp/|website=Resume|date=September 21, 2009|access-date=December 21, 2024|language=sv-SV}}</ref>
In May 2011, Northern Alliance Group had announced that they have brought Swedish drama production company Nice Scripted Entertainment, thus expanding their operations in Sweden.
In June 2011, Northern Alliance Group announced that they have brought Swedish leading independent television production company Titan Television along with the latter's Norwegian television production subsidiary Limelight Film & TV.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 17, 2011 |title=NAG buys Titan |url=https://www.dagensmedia.se/alla-nyheter/nyheter/nag-koper-titan/ |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Dagen Media |language=sv-SV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Ownership for Titan|url=https://worldscreen.com/new-ownership-for-titan/|website=Worldscreen|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref>
In October 2011, Northern Alliance Group had announced that they were rebranding the company themselves by renaming it to Nordic Independent Creative Entertainment also known as Nice for short in which it was named after their Swedish division Nice Scripted Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Northern Alliance plays Nice|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/northern-alliance-plays-nice/|website=C21Media|first=Michael|last=Pickard|date=October 3, 2011|access-date=September 22, 2024}}</ref>
In June 2012, Nice Entertainment Group had announced that they have brought Norwegian event management and branded entertainment company Playroom AS to expand their Norwegian television production operations and extending the company into live and branded entertainment genre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nice Entertainment Group acquires Playroom|url=https://capman.com/2012/06/nice-entertainment-group-acquires-playroom/|website=CapMan|date=June 8, 2012|access-date=September 22, 2024}}</ref>
Six days later in that same month, Modern Studios announced that they are rebranding themselves as MTG Studios and had brought a majority stake in Central and Eastern European production group Paprika Latino with the founder of Paprika Latino Peter Marschall continuing to be the CEO with the company.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTG Acquires Majority Stake in Leading Production Group Paprika Latino and Rebrands Modern Studios|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120613006705/en/MTG-Acquires-Majority-Stake-in-Leading-Production-Group-Paprika-Latino-and-Rebrands-Modern-Studios|website=Business Wire|date=June 14, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MTG bolsters studio, adds spice|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/mtg-bolsters-studio-adds-spice/|website=C21Media|date=June 14, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref>
In September 2012, Nice Entertainment announced that they have rebranded and relaunched their Norwegian production company Limelight Film & TV as Rakett Television with former Rubicon TV executive Andreas Hjerto heading the rebranded production company.<ref>{{cite web|title=NICE Group Relaunches Norwegian Production House Limelight as Rakett|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/nice-group-relaunches-norwegian-production-370379/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Scott|last=Roxborough|date=September 14, 2012|access-date=September 22, 2024}}</ref>
In May 2013, MTG Studios announced that they have made a bid to acquire British independent distribution company Digital Rights Group (DRG) from Ingenious Media that could give the former a standalone distribution division and their expansion to the British television market. A month later in June of that same year MTG Studios announced that they have completed their acquisition of British independent distribution company Digital Rights Group (DRG) from Ingenious Media. They also announced that they have acquired a majority stake in Oslo-based Norwegian production company Novemberfilm for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTG goes on buying spree|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/mtg-goes-on-buying-spree/|website=C21Media|first=Nico|last=Franks|date=June 13, 2013|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MTG completes DRG acquisition|url=https://www.screendaily.com/mtg-completes-drg-acquisition/5057336.article|website=Screen Daily|date=June 13, 2013|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref>
In September 2013, MTG Studios had announced that they have made an agreement and won a bid to acquire Helsinki-based Scandinavian independent production and distribution group Nice Entertainment Group from CapMan that could expand MTG Studios' operations with Nice Entertainment Group's portfolio of productions companies such as Strix, Monster and Rakett will join MTG Studios' own production portfolio with Nice's CEO Morten Aass will remain the CEO once the acquisition is complete.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTG acquires Nice for $114m|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/mtg-acquires-nice-for-114m/|website=C21Media|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref> Two months later in November of that same year, MTG Studios had announced that they've completed their acquisition of Helsinki-based Scandinavian independent production and distribution group Nice Entertainment Group from CapMan following their approval of the acquisition from the Swedish and Norwegian competition authorities with Nice Entertainment Group's own production companies had joined MTG Studios's own production output with Nice CEO Morten Aass continued to be Nice's own CEO under MTG Studios.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTG completes Nice deal|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/mtg-completes-nice-deal/|website=C21Media|first=Richard|last=Middleton|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MTG Completes Acquisition of Nice Entertainment Group|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20131101005290/en/MTG-Completes-Acquisition-of-Nice-Entertainment-Group|website=Business Wire|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref>
In September 2014, Nice Entertainment Group announced that they are merging two of their Danish productions companies Strix Television Denmark and Gong into one Danish production outfit named Strong Productions with the founder and CEO of Gong Joachim Majholm leaving the company.
On 29 January 2020, NENT Studios announced that they were looking to sell off their unscripted labels to focus on scripted productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tbivision.com/2020/01/29/nent-group-to-sell-entire-unscripted-business-looks-for-partner-to-fuel-scripted-ambitions/|title=NENT Group to sell entire unscripted business, looks for partner to fuel scripted ambitions|website=TBI Vision|date=29 January 2020|author=Richard Middleton|access-date=26 September 2020}}</ref> However, the attempts were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, before NENT Studios decided to resume them shortly after changing the name of their British division DRG to NENT Studios UK on 30 April of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/distributor-drg-rebrands-as-nent-studios-u-k-as-nent-group-restarts-unscripted-sale-1234593921/|title=Distributor DRG Rebrands as NENT Studios U.K. as NENT Group Restarts Unscripted Sale|website=Variety|date=30 April 2020|author=Manori Ravindran|access-date=26 September 2020}}</ref>
In June 2021, NENT Studios announced that they have sold their British content distribution division NENT Studios UK to All3Media with latter had merged NENT Studios UK into All3Media's own international distribution division All3Media International.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/all3media-acquires-nordic-entertainment-group-nent-studios-uk-1234773536/|title=All3Media Acquires Nordic Entertainment Group's NENT Studios UK|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=11 June 2021|access-date=21 September 2021|author=Jake Kanter}}</ref>
A month later in July 2021, Nordic Entertainment Group had announced that British-based global entertainment company Fremantle would take over NENT's unscripted operations the following month;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/fremantle-nent-group-unscripted-sale-1235010557/ |title=Fremantle Buys NENT Unscripted Business, Bolsters Nordic Operations |website=Variety|date=2 July 2021 }}</ref> the acquisition was completed at the end of September 2021.<ref name=unscriptedsalecomplete>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/fremantle-completes-nent-acquisition-1235077725/|title=Fremantle Completes Acquisition of 12 Nordic Production Labels From NENT Group|website=Variety|date=30 September 2021|access-date=6 October 2021|author=Nick Vivarelli}}</ref> On 16 September 2021 (2 weeks before Fremantle acquired NENT's unscripted labels), NENT Studios was renamed '''Viaplay Studios''' and restructured to produce content for the Viaplay SVOD service, with Brain Academy and Nice Drama being merged to form Viaplay Studios Sweden and NENT Studios Animation renamed '''Viaplay Studios Animation'''.<ref name=viaplaystudios>{{cite web|url=https://news.cision.com/nordic-entertainment-group/r/nent-group-reorganises-studios-operations-as-viaplay-studios,c3416030|title=NENT Group reorganises studios operations as Viaplay Studios|date=16 September 2021|access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref>
Viaplay Studios consists of the following companies as of 30 September 2021:<ref name=unscriptedsalecomplete /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nentgroup.com/brands/studios|title=Studios|website=Nordic entertainment group}}</ref> *Viaplay Studios Sweden (formed from merger of Brain Academy and Nice Drama)<ref name=viaplaystudios /> *Viaplay Studios Norway *Splay One (Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.splayone.com/|title=Splay One|first=Splay|last=One|website=Splay One}}</ref> *Strix Television (Netherlands<ref name=strixbenelux>{{Cite web|url=https://www.strixtv.com/|title=Strix Television Benelux|website=www.strixtv.com}}</ref>/Belgium<ref name=strixbenelux />) *EPIQ (Denmark)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/nent-studios/pressreleases/nent-studios-makes-epiq-investment-2692711|title=NENT Studios makes EPIQ investment|website=Mynewsdesk|date=14 September 2018 }}</ref> *Paprika Studios (Hungary/Czech Republic/Slovakia/Romania/Bulgaria/Slovenia/Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.paprikastudios.eu/|title=Welcome to Paprika – a leading content house in the CEE|website=Welcome to Paprika}}</ref> *Viaplay Studios Animation<ref name=viaplaystudios />
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{official website|https://www.viaplaygroup.com/}}
{{Groupe Canal Plus}} {{Swedish television channels}} {{Danish television channels}} {{Finnish television channels}} {{Norwegian television channels}}
* Category:Mass media companies of Sweden Category:Television networks in Sweden Category:Mass media companies established in 2018 Category:Television in Denmark Category:Television in Sweden Category:Television in Norway Category:Swedish companies established in 2018 Category:Companies listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Category:Companies based in Stockholm Category:Canal+ S.A. Category:Corporate spin-offs