Newsletter 24th of November

NYHETSBREV

24 November 2021

In addition to keeping you updated on the latest news and trends across video, text and audio, this week’s newsletter dives deeper into these headlines;

  • The appetite for Nordic content continues to surge
  • Spotify is keeping busy
  • Further movements in the world of sports

VIDEO 

The appetite for Nordic content continues to surge 

 

The appeal of Nordic content was proven once again this week, when the Norwegian series Atlantic Crossing won the award for best mini-series at the International Emmy Awards. The series is a co-production made for NRK by Cinenord. The series is also supported by Beta Film, PBS, SVT, DR among others – and follow the endeavors of Crown Princess Märtha and Crown Prince Olav during World War II.

 

Further, another series was added to the list of Nordic originals getting an international remake last week, when Lionsgate acquired the rights to re-record Riders of Justice to suit an English-speaking audience. The hugely successful Another Round is also set for an US-remake, while Viaplay’s Love Me will be adapted for the Australian audience.

 

 

Nordic content is not only appealing for remakes, but the top global actors have all communicated ambitions to invest in local originals on their respective platforms. As of Q3 2021, Netflix had the highest share of local content available on its service, i.e. Nordic originals, co-productions and acquisitions.  This may not come as a surprise as Netflix has invested in local Nordic productions since 2016 (The Rain being the first to premiered back in 2018).

 

Going forward, we may expect the share of local content to increase on all global top services.

 

In a presentation of HBO Max earlier this fall, management said that the aim is to produce 3-5 Nordic original fiction titles annually. In addition, the goal is to produce 3-5 original reality series.

 

 

Netflix currently have 11 upcoming Nordic originals in the works, including Elves (premiering this Sunday), Anxious People (premiering on the 29th of December), Chosen, Blasted, and second seasons of Love & Anarchy, Snabba Cash and Young Wallander.

 

Disney Plus is yet to announce any Nordic original productions, but has stated that in 2022, the aim is to have +340 local or regional original titles in development and production.

 

The same goes for Amazon Prime Video, but the recent opening of a new office in Stockholm and launch of the Amazon Prime membership, testifies to an increased focus on the Swedish (soon Nordic?) market.

 

 

 

Inventory Insight  

Competition on the Nordic streaming market is intensive. As more services are launched and the supply increases, the interplay between content, subscriptions, and market position become even more important. What type of content drives growth – and what keeps consumers loyal?

 

 

Warner Media plans to launch Nielsen measurement alternative

 

Netflix acquires Game of Thrones visual effects company Scanline

 

Fenris next Norwegian Viaplay Original drama series

 

Hulu announces the launch of Shop Hulu

 

Paramount Plus added 1 million subscribers in one week

 

Yousee’s Xee to be See – NENT takes over editorial responsibility

 

AUDIO

Spotify is keeping busy

 

Spotify has been busy this past week. In addition to launching in 6 new markets (including Venezuela and Iraq), the audio behemoth has announced that…

 

– It will make the “Lyrics” feature available to all global users, including both free and premium. Spotify confirmed that the “Behind the Lyrics” will be removed to make way for the new “Lyrics” feature. Lyrics will be available across platforms from the “Now Playing” view or bar, depending on the platform.

 

– Podcast subscriptions will be made available to creators in 33 new markets worldwide – including the Nordics. The service allows creators to mark episodes as “subscriber-only” content. In addition, Spotify launched a feature that allows creators to download a list of their subscribers’ contact information, in order to facilitate further development of their direct relationship with their audience.

 

– The service will no longer use “Shuffle” as the default option when a user hit play on an album. Reportedly, this move was made in response to a request made by Adele – citing that albums should be listened to in a specific order.

 

 

Insikt: Ljudmarknad  

Mediavision’s “Insikt: Ljudmarknad” gives an in-depth understanding of the entire audio market; audiobooks, music, podcasts and radio. The analysis focuses on the digital transformation of both listening and consumer payments, on both aggregated and actor specific levels.

Tidal offers free tier in the US

 

Warner Music reports digital revenue jump of +19% in fiscal Q4

 

Abba’s new album sold +1 million units globally in first week

 

SPORT

Further movements in the world of sports

 

Last week, SVT announced that the public service actor has acquired the Swedish rights to the World Championship in Athletics during 2024-2029. This acquisition means that SVT will broadcast four out of the five upcoming (2022-2029) outdoor World Championships in Athletics, with Telia being the rightsholder to the 2023 championship.

 

Further, NENT has presented two acquisitions in the world of sports this past week. First, the company and the Swedish Elite Football Dam (EFD) has entered a long-term partnership to show OBOS Damallsvenskan football (SE) from 2022 to 2026. The right covers 10 markets. Starting in spring 2022, seven live matches from Sweden’s top women’s football division will be made available every week on Viaplay. In Sweden, at least two games per week will be broadcasted on TV6, along with a weekly highlight show. Second, NENT announced on Monday that it has secured exclusive rights to the KSW (Europe’s leading mixed martial arts organisation), also across 10 markets. Viaplay will show every KSW event live in Poland and the Nordic and Baltic countries starting in December 2021.

 

In Denmark, the channel Sport Live, which produces content focused on Danish sports, has entered a new distribution agreement with Allente. Starting next year, the channel will be included in Allente’s Premium and Sport Standard packages.

 

On the global market, Apple is reportedly working on a new framework that could potentially improve sports streaming coverage within its iOS and Apple TV apps. Recently, rumours have been circulating on “deep talks” between Apple and the NFL – and new key hires including the appointment of the former head of Amazon Prime Video’s sports division to the Apple TV team has fuelled speculations on weather Apple is betting big on sports streaming.

 

Nordic Sports Analysis 2021  

This analysis provides an in-depth analysis of consumer interest, willingness to pay and pay rate. It covers +90 specific sports rights in the Nordics and offers a comprehensive insight on how the consumers value sports rights. It is also compares sports rights in the different Nordic countries.

 

Danish Bog & Idé postpones launch of new streaming service

 

Return to Hogwarts special to be available on HBO Max

 

Readly expands European offering

 

Roku plans to develop +50 original shows in next two years

 

Fremantle joins a creative and development partnership

 

Strawberry Publishing to be named Bonnier Norsk Forlag AS

 

Mediavision in the News

 

Spelvärlden biljett till en yngre publik – Dagens Media 

 

Daniel Eks gratis-flört borgar för en ny jättemarknad  DI Digital 

 

Sweden stacks SVODs with 350,000 new subscriptions in 12 months – TBI 

 

Sweden Ups SVOD Sub Base by 350,000 – Media Play News 

 

Sporträttigheterna: ”Fler aktörer kommer att konkurrera” – Journalisten 

 

Ilta-Sanoma, PlayPilot launch streaming guide in Finland – Rapid TV News 

Industry Events

 

IBC: 3-6 December 2021, Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

The Future of TV Advertising Global: 8-9 December 2021, London

 

Berlin Film Festival and European Film Market: 10-20 February 2022, Berlin, Germany

 

CTAM Europe Executive Management Programme: 20-25 March 2022, Fontainebleau, France

 

MIPTV: 4-6 April 2022, Cannes, France

 

NEM Dubrovnik: 6-9 June 2022, Dubrovnik, Croatia

 

 

* Mediavision will attend
** Mediavision will present