Newsletter 22nd of February

NEWSLETTER

22 February 2023

 

The main topics this week:

  • Podcast market news
  • The earnings season is coming to an end
  • BBC Studios unveils Nordic linear channel and streaming service

AUDIO

Podcast market news

 

Podimo is expanding. The Danish podcast and audiobook subscription service announced that it will launch in Mexico by the end of March this year. New original content, produced and hosted by Mexican creators, is in the making. Wendolín Perla, Head of Content at Podimo Mexico says in a press release that “We’re extremely honored to be working with such a diverse range of talent, and to provide high-value content that supports our ambitions of providing a fair and sustainable subscription model for both creators and listeners”.

 

In addition to the launch in Mexico, Podimo has partnered with several production houses and companies to release more than 20 podcast series in the UK during the upcoming year. Among the releases is true crime and investigate podcast Murder In the North as well as previous UK chart-topping podcast The Missing hosted by Pandora Sykes. The Missing will be returning for a fourth season after a partnership with Amazon. All the new releases will be available on podcast platforms globally via RSS, as part of its wider UK strategy.

 

Another new investment in the podcast landscape has been made by pod X group, which has acquired a majority stake in Swedish production company Filt. Specializing in storytelling, Filt produces a wide range of podcasts, including journalistic true crime and fiction dramas. The company makes podcasts for clients such as Seriges Radio, YLE, Unionen, Nobel Prize Museum, Telia, the Armed Forces, and Amnesty.

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.

Meta launches subscription service for Facebook and Instagram

 

Bonnier News extends the offer for Readly for the fourth time

 

Viaplay commissions first Dutch film

 

Paramount+ raises prices as it combines with Showtime

 

Netflix teams up with LaLiga to develop sports docuseries

 

EARNINGS

The Q4 earnings season continues

 

The Q4 earnings season for the media sector is coming to an end. Last week, Swedish audiobook service Storytel reported its earnings – here are some highlights.

 

  • The average number of paying subscribers was 2,036,000 in Q4 2022, an increase from 1,784,600 in the fourth quarter of 2021.
  • Streaming revenue was up 23% from 605 MSEK in Q4 2021 to 742 MSEK in Q4 2022 (27% up excluding Russia).
  • Group net sales increased by 17% to 867 MSEK, compared to 741 MSEK in Q4 2021.
  • Storytel’s CEO, Johannes Larcher stated that “We ended 2022 as a more focused company with clear priorities on profitability and growth in our core markets, and a strong strategic commitment to expanding our content leadership and marketing capabilities”.

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 to produce original Polish dramatic comedy series

 

TikTok adds dedicated video feeds for sports, fashion and more

 

“Krigsseileren” to become a Netflix series

 

Netflix presents Swedish drama based on best-selling novel

VIDEO

BBC Studios unveils new Nordic linear channel and streaming service

 

BBC Studios has announced the launch of BBC Nordic, a new enhanced linear channel and BBC Nordic+ a new on-demand streaming service. The new additions will launch this April in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

 

The linear channel BBC Nordic brings together shows from BBC BRIT and BBC Earth, as the new channel replaces them in their channel mix. The new on-demand streaming service BBC Nordic+ will let viewers discover more of the BBC shows that will air on the new linear channel. The content has been curated around topics such as arts and culture, history, documentaries, and music.

 

Both the new linear channel and the on-demand service will be available April 17th in all Nordic countries. Pricing of the new streaming service BBC Nordic+ has not yet been 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

 

Et stigende antal svenskere betaler for podcasts – Mediawatch

 

Stark tillväxt för betalda podcast – Dagens Media

 

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

 

Media Summit: 15 March 2023, Stockholm, Sweden **

 

Radiodays Europe: 26-28 March 2023, Prauge, Czech Republic

 

MIPTV: 17-19 April 2023, Cannes, France

 

* Mediavision will attend
** Mediavision will present