Newsletter 5th of April

NYHETSBREV

5 April 2023

 

The long-awaited spring is here and with that, the easter holiday. Mediavision wants to wish you all happy easter! But before the egg hunt, we have a fresh newsletter for you. These are the main topics this week:

  • Storytel acquires Suomalainen Plus’ audiobook operation
  • Warner Bros. celebrates 100th anniversary
  • Several new Nordic originals presented by Netflix

AUDIO

Storytel acquires Suomalainen Plus’ audiobook operation

 

Storytel strengthens its position in the Nordics. The Swedish audiobook service has acquired Finnish Suomalainen Kirjakauppa’s audiobook operations. The acquisition results in a transfer of Suomalainen Plus’ subscriber base to Storytel. Suomalainen Kirjakauppa, owned by Otava Group, is Finland’s largest bookstore chain with 56 physical stores, online sales and streaming operations.

 

“This agreement strengthens Storytel’s position in the vibrant Finnish market and as the Nordic market leader. We are also very pleased to deepen our relationship with the leading Finnish publishing and media owner Otava Ltd, who we had the pleasure of welcoming as a new shareholder in connection with our directed share issue in November,” says Johannes Larcher, CEO of Storytel.

 

The acquisition comes just weeks after Storytel’s competitor Bookbeat made a similar move and Finnish Supla’s audiobook operation was acquired. Suomalainen Plus subscribers will be transferred to Storytel and the customers will be notified of the migration shortly.

Insikt: Ljudmarknad

This analysis provides in-depth understanding of the entire audio market – including 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.

 

Spotify is shutting down its live audio app Spotify Live

 

Audible is testing ad-supported access for non-members

 

Perfect Day Media launches new commercial offer

 

Post, a publisher-focused Twitter alternative, launches to public

VIDEO

Warner Bros. celebrates 100th anniversary

 

The world-famous studio Warner Bros. was founded by Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner a century ago. The company was incorporated on the 4th of April 1923 and yesterday was the studio’s 100th anniversary. Warner Bros. Discovery, which is now the home of the studio, has announced a slate of experiences, products and content, for fans to celebrate the milestone.

 

Warner Bros. will be running a year-long theatrical release schedule focusing on classics, newly remastered films and key anniversaries. Among the feature titles is a re-release of Superman the Movie, to coincide with the 85th anniversary of the titular character. The Exorcist and a new IMAX version of Elf will also come to cinemas. Newer movies from Warner Bros., such as A Star is Born and The Great Gatsby are also scheduled for cinemas this year.

 

Warner Bros. Discovery has also announced Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros., a celebrational international concert series coming to 100 cities worldwide, including Stockholm. The series will feature music from films and television shows from the studio’s history, including The Wizard of Oz, Batman, Friends, The Lord of The Rings & Inception. The musical experiences are taking place in majestic venues, such as cathedrals, theatres, museums, and gardens. The concert series will begin in April and run through December 2023.

 

A four-part documentary looking back at the company’s 100 year history will be released on HBO Max this spring. Furthermore, Warner Bros. are launching a line of collectible toys, gifts, fashion pieces and film bundles as a part of the celebration.

 

Looking ahead for Warner Bros. Discovery, one of the main events is the upcoming merged streaming service. The company will host a press event next week on the 12th of April to further discuss the new streaming product.

Insight: Nordic Media & Markets

This analysis tracks the progress of individual and household payments per service and actor, as well as overall media expenditures. The primary focus is mapping out the allocation of expenditures across audio, video, text, and access. Published biannually.

 

Viaplay presents international thriller trilogy

 

Netflix orders a TV pilot for the first time in history

 

Warner Bros. Discovery nears deal for Harry Potter TV series

 

C More renews Helsinki crimes

 

UFC and WWE may merge into a sports-entertainment giant

SVOD

Several new Nordic originals presented by Netflix

 

Netflix has reported new Nordic content releases for several weeks now – and there seems to be no stop. This past week, two new Swedish feature films and one series has been announced. Additionally, the creators behind Netflix’s very first original is back with a new drama series.

 

Upcoming Swedish feature film titled Let go was announced by Netflix last week. The drama is created, written, and directed by Swedish actress and filmmaker Josephine Bornebusch. As if that was not enough, Bornebusch will also be starring in one of the leading roles. Let Go is set to be released globally on Netflix in 2024, with additional cast and production company yet to be announced.

 

Another Swedish feature film, A part of you, has also been announced by Netflix. The coming-of-age drama is written by Michaela Hamilton and will be directed by author and podcast host Sigge Eklund, making it his feature film directorial debut. The film is produced by SF Studios and will release globally on Netflix in 2024. Cast is yet to be announced.

 

Swedish Netflix series Helicopter Heist is a new reality-based and character-driven series in eight parts about the secret drama behind one of the most spectacular heists in history. The series is based on Jonas Bonnier’s novel by the same name, adapted to the screen by Ronnie Sandahl and directed by Daniél Espinosa. Helicopter Heist is produced by Johannes Åhlund for B-Reel Films. Cast and release date is yet to be announced.

 

Lastly, a familiar team is back working with Netflix. Ten years since the release of Lilyhammer, creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin together with production company Rubicon is back on Netflix with Norwegian drama series Salmon Island. The series delivers a fun and dramatic portrait of the fish farming business. The cast and release date of Salmon Island is yet to be announced.

Insight: Nordic TV & Streaming

This analysis covers both the TV- and streaming markets in the Nordic countries. It rests on three pillars: the consumers, the market, and the actors. Analyzing the consumers takes us far – but not all the way. Studying the actors and the market as a whole is just as important.

Mediavision in the News

 

Marie Nilsson: Kontodelarna lever osäkert när streamingjättarna jagar intäkter – Dagens Media

 

Et stigende antal svenskere betaler for podcasts – Mediawatch

 

Sweden: Significant growth in podcast households – Advanced Television

 

TVOD in Sweden reaches record levels in 2022 – Broadband TV News

 

Netflix drag – så ska kontodelare jagas – Svenska Dagbladet

 

Stort tapp för nya poddar i världen – “Kärvare läge” – Sveriges Radio

 

Nordics: 3 million SVOD accounts are borrowed from other households – Piracy Monitor

Industry Events

 

MIPTV: 17-19 April 2023, Cannes, France

 

Nordic Media Days: 10-12 May 2023, Bergen, Norway

 

Stockholm Film Festival: 8-19 November 2023, Stockholm, Sweden

 

* Mediavision will attend
** Mediavision will present