Viaplay to Launch in Poland, the U.S.

As part of its plans to become “the European streaming champion,” Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) is rolling out the Viaplay streaming service in ten international markets by the end of 2023, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the U.S. in 2021.

By the end of 2025, NENT Group aims to increase its subscriber base to approximately 10.5 million by more than doubling its Viaplay paying subscriber base in the Nordics to approximately 6 million and growing its international subscriber base to approximately 4.5 million.

Anders Jensen, NENT Group’s president and CEO, said: “Viaplay is a proven Nordic success story and we are now ready to expand internationally and become the European streaming champion. We have one of the world’s most flexible and scalable technology platforms, and aim to be the most diverse and inclusive storyteller with our amazing range of original, acquired, local and live content that offers something special for everyone. We have already signed up key content rights in our target markets, and are in discussions with distributors about exciting new partnerships to ensure that Viaplay is available everywhere.

“This expansion requires funding and we will be discussing this with our shareholders. The growth and profitability targets that we are presenting today illustrate the unique and significant potential of our existing Nordic business and future international operations. The time is right to seize this major opportunity that we have in front of us, given the continued growth in streaming and ever-increasing demand for high-quality and locally relevant entertainment. We are ready. We have the platform, we have the operational model, we have the content and, most importantly, we have the team.”

Viaplay will be launched in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (as previously announced) in March next year. Viaplay will then be launched in Poland in August 2021 and offer Nordic, local and international content, as well as live sports such as Bundesliga football. In late 2021, Viaplay will be launched in the U.S. as a tailored service offering high-quality Nordic drama series.

In order to fund these initiatives, NENT Group will consult with its shareholders regarding a potential equity raise of more than SEK 3.5 billion ($405 million).