NENT Group Reorganizes & Rebrands Studios Operations

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) has reorganized and rebranded its studios operations, formerly known as NENT Studios, as Viaplay Studios.

Viaplay Studios will have a primary focus on delivering original content for NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service, which will be available in at least 15 countries by the end of 2023.

Viaplay Studios comprises NENT Group’s Swedish production companies Brain Academy and Nice Drama, which are currently in the process of merging into a single entity named Viaplay Studios Sweden that will produce original content exclusively for Viaplay.

Viaplay Studios is also home to Viaplay Studios Animation, previously called NENT Animation, which will produce animated content exclusively for Viaplay.

Paprika Studios, a Central and Eastern European-focused production company headquartered in Budapest and with a presence in nine markets, will operate as part of Viaplay Studios while retaining its current structure and branding.

Viaplay Studios will also manage NENT Group’s U.K.-based joint venture with FilmNation Entertainment and investment in Los Angeles-based studio Picturestart.

Alexander Bastin, previously NENT Studios’ CEO, has been appointed as Viaplay Studios’ CEO.

Alexander Tanno, previously Nice Drama’s CEO, has been appointed as Viaplay Studios Sweden’s CEO.

Helena Sandermark, previously Brain Academy’s CEO, has been named head of production for Viaplay Studios Sweden.

Jens Köpsén and Akos Erdos will continue in their current roles as VP and head of Viaplay Studios Animation and Paprika Studios’ CEO, respectively.

Bastin commented: “Our reorganized studios business will be key in fueling Viaplay’s growth in the years to come. Viaplay Studios already has an outstanding slate of upcoming Viaplay originals, including Lasse Hallström’s Hilma and Adi Hasak’s The Box, and we are now set up to deliver even more unique stories. This is an important step in securing Viaplay’s long-term content pipeline while providing a home for the most talented creators and producers in the Nordic region and beyond.”