Prime Video Nordics Buys Nine Viaplay Originals That Were Previously Set For Rival Service

Jesse Whittock

8 February 2024 at 5:58 am·3-min read

Prime Video Nordics has swooped to acquire nine scripted originals from Viaplay, which abandoned its high-end scripted commissioning drive last year.

The titles will now launch on Prime Video following the agreement, which Martin Backlund, Managing Director of Prime Video Nordics, called a “landmark deal.”

More from Deadline

'Clarkson's Farm' First-Look & S3 Release Date Unveiled; Rope Ladder Short Film Push; Viaplay Baltics; 'Ten Pound Poms'; ITV Studios Iberia Hire - Global Briefs
Viaplay Recap Plan Continues As CEE Producer Paprika Studios Exits Group
Viaplay Targeting Double-Digit Profit Margins In Five Years As Swedish Finance Authority Says Yes To Major Recap Program

The shows comprise Bullshit, The Commoner, The Fortress, In the Name of Love, Jana – Marked for Life, Paradis City, Solo/Dancing Alone, Furia Season Two and Those Who Kill Season Four. We told you about several of them last year, when Viaplay was pushing ahead with an aggressive scripted originals strategy that was later scrapped.

Also included are library titles such as Couple Trouble, Furia Season One, Hammarvik, Honour and Occupied. This part of the agreement is non-exclusive and the shows will appear on both services.

The Nordics were recently identified as one of several European territories where Prime Video can grow, and was placed in the ‘EU Emerging’ cluster in the international restructure we first told you about last month. It has been ordering unscripted shows, and this now marks one of its biggest plays in the local scripted market.

“This landmark deal with Viaplay aligns with our long-term strategy to invest in Prime Video Nordics, solidifying it as a premier entertainment destination,” said Martin Backlund. “Combined with our Nordisk Film partnership, where we’re delivering the finest Nordic movies, we are now reinforcing our ongoing commitment to local content in the region.”

“We’re excited to add these locally produced Original TV series by the best Nordic creators and featuring highly popular Nordic talent to our slate,” said Andreas Hjertø, Head of Content, Prime Video Nordics. “We are constantly evolving and improving our selection of great series and movies, and we’re looking forward to delighting our customers with these fantastic titles.”

This comes as Viaplay moves away from high-end drama following the collapse of the streamer’s business model last year. After a round of redundancies and restructuring, a recapitalization plan was agreed.

The streamer has moved away from costly originals, with CEO Jørgen Madsen Lindemann saying “we have too much scripted content” when he replaced Anders Jensen last year. It has since pulled out of the UK, U.S. and other non-core territories and sold CEE producer Paprika Studios.

In a statement issued to Deadline, Viaplay said: “This partnership with Amazon Prime Video is for selected shows and is in line with Viaplay Group’s refocused overall content strategy, which prioritises local unscripted content and acquired films and series.

“This content strategy is positive for both viewers and partners. It matches our viewers’ interests, since local unscripted content and acquired films and series account for more than 90% of non-sports Viaplay viewing, and we will now have a stronger offering in these areas.

“We will also still have some local scripted titles each year that we will be able to support much better than previously. Our original scripted output has been higher than most other streaming platforms, so reducing our output and selling or licensing selected titles makes sense.

“At the same time, this refocused content strategy makes financial sense for Viaplay, since original scripted content previously represented 29% of our non-sports content costs, and we always aim to invest in entertainment that is as impactful as possible in our specific markets.

“The titles included in the partnership are a good fit for a service like Amazon Prime Video that already carries a large amount of original scripted content. This deal will also help us monetise our investment, which is important in allowing us to continue bringing our audiences attractive content in the years to come.”

Best of Deadline

HuffPost
Reporter Reveals 'Real Anger' From Biden White House Aides After Debate
They were "shocked" and felt "they had not been told the truth," said Axios' Alex Thompson.
Evening Standard
'Misstiano Penaldo': John Terry brands BBC 'a disgrace' for dig at crying Cristiano Ronaldo over penalty miss
BBC coverage of the Euro 2024 did not go down well with the former Chelsea captain
Bloomberg
China’s AI startups head to Singapore in a bid for global growth
When Wu Cunsong and Chen Binghui founded their artificial intelligence startup two years ago in Hangzhou, China, they quickly ran into obstacles, including dearth of venture capital.
The Independent
Seven people - including four kids - shot by neighbor who once told them to ‘go back to where they came from’
Motive still being investigated, but shooting ‘could’ have racial element, police say
INSIDER
Malaysia's $100 billion ghost town is good for at least one thing: filming documentaries and shows like Netflix's 'The Mole'
Embattled Forest City is a backdrop for a handful of reality shows and documentaries.
The Independent
Bodycam footage released after 13-year-old boy shot and killed by police in New York
Body camera footage released by the department shows officers tackling the boy to the ground before firing a gun
INSIDER
A millennial couple moved to Bali 2 years ago. Making friends was one of the hardest parts.
There's a common refrain that things in Bali are cheap — and that's not necessarily true, they said.
People
'Very Sweet Young Lady' Is Killed on Her 21st Birthday, Suspect in Custody
Joselyn Toaquiza was reported missing on Wednesday, June 19, the day after she turned 21, before police learned she'd been killed the day before
Bloomberg
Russian goods find their way to Singapore as war fatigue sets in
Heavily discounted Russian-made goods, from hair products to chocolate, are finding their way onto Singapore’s virtual supermarket shelves.
The Hill
70 percent of voters have decided who they will back in November: Poll
More than 7 in 10 voters have already decided whom they will vote for in the November presidential election, according to a new poll. The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday showed 72 percent of respondents said they have already made up their minds, while 28 percent said they are still weighing their choices. That’s a…
Evening Standard
England have already been dealt huge selection blow for Switzerland quarter-final clash at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate will be forced into Three Lions reshuffle for last-eight showdown in Dusseldorf
HuffPost
Harvard Law Professor Delivers Chilling Prediction After Trump Immunity Ruling
Laurence Tribe explained what the Supreme Court decision means in "practical purposes" and it's "devastating."
The Independent
Prostitute is fatally strangled then sexually assaulted inside Las Vegas casino by man who said he ‘snapped’
Jason Kendall, 35, is being held without bond in connection to the murder of Larissa Garcia at a Las Vegas casino
DollarsAndSense.sg
22 Useful Items You Can Buy From The SAF eMart – That You Can Use In Your Civilian Life
Lifelong buddies, service to Singapore, personal development – the best things in NS life are priceless. For everything else, there’s the eMart. The post 22 Useful Items You Can Buy From The SAF eMart – That You Can Use In Your Civilian Life appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
The Telegraph
Russia ‘studying captured ATACMS’
Russian forces have captured and are studying an intact guidance system from a long-range US-made ATACMS missile, according to reports.
The Independent
‘A terrible disservice’: Biden slams Supreme Court immunity ruling, says it lets presidents ignore the law
President Joe Biden did not take questions after speaking on the Supreme Court ruling, despite questions swirling after his debate performance
SETHLUI.COM
11 best affordable Korean food spots in Singapore your wallet & tummy will love
The post 11 best affordable Korean food spots in Singapore your wallet & tummy will love appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
Simply Wall St.
3 SGX Stocks That May Be Trading Below Their Estimated Intrinsic Value By Up To 47.2%
As the Singapore market shows signs of robust activity, with innovative companies like Currensea successfully raising significant funds through crowdfunding, it highlights a growing investor confidence and interest in diverse sectors. In this context, identifying stocks that are potentially trading below their intrinsic value could offer attractive opportunities for investors looking to capitalize on current market conditions.
People
Megan Thee Stallion Shocks in Latex Thong Bodysuit and Boots on Stage at 2024 BET Awards: See Her Daring Look!
The rapper commanded the stage with her voice and sexy style
INSIDER
Estonia says it could hold out against a Russian attack 'for a couple of weeks' before NATO arrives
Estonia has ramped up its defense spending and believes it could hold out for a couple of weeks before reinforcements came, if Russia attacked.

Latest stories