Nordic Pubcasters Reveal First Moves in Joint Series Initiative

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Public broadcasters DR, NRK, SVT, RÚV and YLE have kicked off the “Nordic 12” initiative, in an effort to strengthen Nordic culture and secure rights to the best Nordic shows in the face of increasing competition from global SVOD services.

The five Nordic pubcasters are banding together to make 12 high-quality Nordic dramas available across their services each year. The lineup for the first year was announced yesterday. It includes dramas and comedies: DR’s Liberty, Follow the Money 3 and Ride Upon the Storm 2; NRK’s Home Ground (with second season in production) and Twin (in production); YLE’s Blind Donna and Hooked; RÚV’s Manners; and SVT’s Bonus Family 3, The Days the Flowers Blossom and Summer 68.

A 12-month window is guaranteed for the public broadcasters on their linear and digital services. The series will be available on the public stations’ streaming services over the next year, and a number of them will also air on linear. Some will have cross-Nordic premieres.

The initiative is calling for tighter cooperation between the partners. The aim is to allow for quicker decision-making on projects with co-production potential, to increase the number of Nordic co-pros and to secure the works of the best Nordic writers, directors and actors.

DR’s general director, Marie Rørbye Rønn, commented: “Drama is the obvious way to reach the Nordic users with content that is about our shared culture and identity, that can bind the Nordic countries across languages and generations. When we, as public service providers, stand together in the Nordics, we simply stand stronger and offer a better offer to the viewers.”