Several streaming services have launched cheaper ad-supported tiers in the Nordics lately, e.g. Skyshowtime and Max this spring. Now Viaplay in Denmark is joining, with the launch of an HVOD alternative.

Yesterday, Viaplay launched an HVOD offer named Films & Series with advertising. The new package has the same supply of films, series and children’s content as the non-ad Films & Series package. Content for children remains ad-free. Also, the subscribers of the ad-supported tier cannot download content, which the ad-free Films & Series package allows for.

Viaplay states that the new tier holds fewer commercial minutes per hour than its’ traditional TV does. In the online version, content being shorter than 20 minutes will start with one block but has no commercial breaks. A film or series of one hour will normally hold 2 to 3 advertising breaks, however, Viaplay states that the number of ads may vary.

Viaplay Films & Series with ads costs DKK 99 per month, which is DKK 50 less then the ad-free Film & Series package (DKK 149 per month). Viaplay also offers a launch deal with the first two months at a 50 percent discount (DKK 49 per month).

So far, the HVOD offering is only available in Denmark. However, we expect a wider launch in the Nordics soon as this was one of the main topics at the company’s latest quarterly presentation.

On Monday, social media platform Tiktok announced a new product for ads and branded content on the platform. The new feature is called Digital Avatars, which are human-like avatars, designed to represent a creator or a brand spokesperson. According to Tiktok, “avatars can help scale and globalize branded content with a personalized, human feel and wide variety of gestures, expressions, nationalities, ages and languages.”

Brands can choose pre-built, and custom avatars. The pre-built avatars are called stock avatars which illustrates global creators from a diverse range of backgrounds, nationalities, and can speak in over 30 languages. The other option is custom avatars which is made to represent a creator or a brand spokesperson with multi-language abilities. Brands can build their own custom avatars with their brand IP, which Tiktok states will give “creators and marketers the control and power to scale their likeness and brand.” You’ll find a video of an example avatar here.

The new features will be available as part of the company’s suite of ads solutions powered by generative AI called Tiktok Symphony, which was launched in May. Tiktok also announced a new feature called AI dubbing tool, which allows creators and brands to translate their content into 10 different languages, including English, Japanese, and Spanish. The feature automatically detects the language in a video, and then transcribes and translates it, to produce a dubbed video in the preferred language.

The Tribeca Film Festival ended last week. One of the event’s most honorable prizes was awarded to a Nordic co-production. The honor of “Best Documentary Feature” went to Hacking Hate, a co-production between Denmark, Norway, Sweden. The film was supported by Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Simon Klose is the director of the film, and the producer is Elin Kamlert for the Swedish production company Nonami.

The jury statement reads: “The documentary jury awards a film that bravely and fearlessly investigates the misuse of the internet to encourage hate and bias by allowing media giants to profit and foster the continuation of the outrage. On trial are First Amendment freedoms that have been violated for profit.”

Other Nordic productions recognized at the festival include the Swedish Budō, which received a special jury mention for animated short film. Additionally, the Danish co-produced Made in Ethiopia received a special jury mention for documentary feature, as well as Swedish co-produced Samia, with a special jury mention for international narrative feature.

”Content – den evige kingen” – Dagens Media

Norge på topp på strømming, men globale aktører løper ifra – Medier24

Pirat-tv ökar i Norden – fem miljoner tittar illegalt – SVT Nyheter

Piratforbrug af film, serier og sport steg med otte pct. i 2023 – Mediawatch

Pirat-tv ökar i Norden: ”Sverige har en tradition” – Sveriges Radio

Ti prosent av norske hjem strømmer ulovlig ifølge ny undersøkelse – Kampanje

Ny rapport: Ti prosent av norske husstander strømmer sport ulovlig – Dagsavisen

Kampen om tittarna hårdnar – nu startar streamingtjänsten Max – Aftonbladet

När satsar Spotify på ljudböcker? – Svensk Bokhandel

Skräcksiffra för branschen: Tre miljoner delar konton – Dagens industri

Kampanj ska lyfta problemet med illegala streaming – Dagens Media

Big windfall ahead if Nordic streamers can defeat password sharing – C21 Media