VIAPLAY HIT ITS 3 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS GOAL

In its full 2020-year report, Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) confirmed that Viaplay hit its target of 3 million subscribers, with 33% year-over-year growth and 207.000 new subscribers during the fourth quarter. In 2021, the company expects to add 650.000 new paying subscribers.

Furthermore, the group registered 6% organic sales growth and reported sales of SEK 3,182 million (3,825 million including SEK 724 million contribution from subsequently deconsolidated Viasat Consumer business). The rate of decline in advertising sales improved quarter on quarter, and organic sales were down 1% YoY. The company expects advertising demand levels to improve gradually, with prices expected to be up in 2021.

Revenues for the continuing studios businesses were down 21% on an organic basis and reflected the postponement of productions due to the pandemic, which led to impairment charges. Therefore, NENT Group is now refocusing its studios primarily on the production of high quality original scripted content for Viaplay, and the process to sell the other companies, which was delayed by the pandemic, is now proceeding to plan and expected to be completed in the first half of this year.

“The global coronavirus pandemic made 2020 a challenging year and is continuing to impact lives in 2021. We have all embraced new ways of working, some of which will improve our lives, society and, hopefully, the environment for the long term. It has been great to see that Viaplay and our other products have been able to entertain millions of people at home, and we are now looking forward to bringing Viaplay to five new international markets this year. We accelerated our development in many areas in 2020, with our Viaplay subscriber base growing by 33% and hitting our 3 million year-end target, and I’m also very proud of the progress that we have made to become an even more equal and diverse company,”  said Anders Jensen, President and CEO of Nordic Entertainment Group.