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Norwegian-based media group Schibsted has acquired a 10.1 per cent stake in Nordic streaming service Viaplay.
Confirmed:
- Viaplay’s shares rose by nearly five per cent following the deal’s confirmation
- Financial terms for the deal were not disclosed
- Czech investment company PPF Group and French media giant Canal+ Group have already bought stakes in Viaplay
Context:
In July, Viaplay confirmed its intention to wind down its operations in countries such as the UK, US and Poland, with the company now focusing on its core markets in the Nordics and the Netherlands.
The media firm has been affected by subscriber churn and lower advertising revenue, forcing it to restructure its business and change its leadership.
Comment:
“Schibsted has a long history of investing in companies close to our core that benefit from our strength, and of seizing opportunities which arise in more uncertain times,” said Kristin Skogen Lund, Schibsted chief executive.
“Our investment in Viaplay is an example of this – Viaplay’s strong position as a streaming provider in the Nordics fits very well with our media operations, and we are confident that we, as a financially focused shareholder, can support value creation in the company.”
Coming next:
While Viaplay’s future prospects remain uncertain, it remains dedicated to acquiring sports rights in its core markets, having recently agreed a rights renewal for the Superliga, Denmark’s top-flight soccer league.
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