Welcome back to Mediavision’s newsletter. These are the main topics this week:
- The Q3 earnings season continues
- DR removes hundreds of podcasts from external platforms
- SkyShowtime launches “Half Price for Life” promotion
Welcome to Mediavision’s newsletter! Here are the main topics this week:
- Mediavision: Over 700,000 households in Sweden now have access to illegal IPTV
- Tele2 reports fourth quarter results
- Prime Video shifts focus to live sports
- PodX Group launches Filt Nordics
PIRACY
Mediavision: Over 700,000 households in Sweden now have access to illegal IPTV
At the beginning of 2024, the Swedish government initiated an inquiry which aims to review the national film policy. Now, the government has decided on an additional directive for the ongoing film inquiry. The additional directive includes analyzing the need for, and conditions under which a ban on private individuals that use illegal IPTV could be implemented, as well as proposing how such a ban could be structured. Illegal IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) allows users to access thousands of TV channels and streaming services at a significantly lower monthly cost than legal services. Those who sell illegal IPTV do so without holding rights to the content.
Mediavision can conclude that illegal IPTV services continue to rise among Swedish households. In the fall of 2024, more than 700,000 households were paying for an illegal IPTV service. This marks a new record high and a sharp increase of approximately 25 percent compared to the spring of 2024. Mediavision can thus confirm that this is a major problem.
Read up on the full press release here with commentary from Mediavision’s senior analyst Natalia Borelius.
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Nordic PiracyPiracy has been a challenge for the Nordic media industry for many years. Mediavision has tracked piracy in the Nordics for more than 10 years and our insights cover consumption of series and films, as well as live sports. Illegal IPTV is also part of the analysis as of 4 years. |
EARNINGS
Tele2 reports fourth quarter results
The Swedish telecom operator Tele2 reported its Q4 earnings this morning. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Tele2’s end-user service revenue was SEK 5.5 billion in Q4 2024, an increase of 2% organically compared to Q4 2023, due to growth across operations.
- Total revenue was SEK 7.8 billion in Q4, a YOY increase of 1% organically.
- Underlying EBITDAaL (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and after lease expenses) was SEK 2.7 billion in Q4, a YOY increase of 1% organically, mainly driven by end-user service revenue growth. The underlying EBITDAaL fpr the full year of 2024 increased by 2% organically to SEK 10,612 billion, driven by end-user service revenue growth which was partly offset by cost inflation.
- Tele2 has initiated a transformation that aims to improve profitability through stricter prioritisation, reinforced cost consciousness and a simplified organisation, including a workforce reduction of around 15%, subject to union negotiations.
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Insight Nordic Media & MarketsThis analysis tracks the progress of individual and household payments per service and actor, as well as overall media expenditures. The primary focus is mapping out the allocation of expenditures across audio, video, text, and access. |
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Scandiallansen presents its first project
Prime Video reportedly shifts focus to live sports
Eurosport to withdraw from UK in favor of TNT Sports
Meta announces initial test of ads on Threads
Spotify paid out USD 10 billion to the music industry in 2024 |
STREAMING
Prime Video shifts focus to live sports
Prime Video has reportedly shifted its strategic focus away from original television shows and movies in favor of live sports to meet internal profit targets, according to The Information.
This move marks a significant shift for Prime Video as it pivots from its traditional emphasis on original content to drive revenue. Amazon aims to make Prime Video profitable by the end of 2025, and this strategy is a key part of that goal, the report states.
Last year, Amazon introduced ads on its Prime Video platform. Live sports events present valuable opportunities for targeted advertising, prompting several streaming companies to pursue more live content deals to boost ad revenue.
Amazon has already made substantial investments in sports content, spending approximately USD 3 billion annually on broadcasting rights for major leagues such as the NBA and NFL, according to the report. Meanwhile, its entertainment division has been commissioning fewer film and TV projects. In 2023, Prime Video also expanded into the Nordic sports market, acquiring 10 percent of Premier League broadcasting rights in Denmark and Sweden.
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Insight Nordic TV & StreamingThis analysis covers both the TV- and streaming markets in the Nordic countries. It rests on three pillars: the consumers, the market, and the actors. Analyzing the consumers takes us far – but not all the way. Studying the actors and the market as a whole is just as important. |
AUDIO
PodX Group launches Filt Nordics
PodX Group acquired the podcast studio Filt back in 2023. Now, the company has announced a strategic reorganization of the studio, to reinforce its position as a leading podcast producer in the Nordics. Central to this initiative is the launch of Filt Nordics, which aims to leverage synergies across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
For the first time since its founding in 2002, Filt Sweden announces a leadership change. Jenny Nordlander, who has served as Editor-in-Chief for the past three years, takes on the role as CEO of Filt Sweden. Meanwhile, former CEO and co-founder Anders Elfström has been appointed CEO of Filt Nordics. Additionally, PodX Group’s Finnish podcast studio Suomen Podcastmedia will officially integrate into Filt Nordics as its Finnish branch, with Moona Kärkkäinen as the new CEO.
The organizational change is designed to enhance collaboration across the Nordic markets – not only within its own operations but also with other PodX Group companies, such as the Swedish Perfect Day Media.
– With the launch of Filt Nordics, the company is poised to expand its portfolio of original formats across all Nordic markets, equip the organization with skills needed to stay in the forefront of the industry, and consistently deliver stories and content that resonate with both existing and new audiences, says Patrick Svensk, CEO PodX Group.
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Insikt LjudmarknadThis analysis provides in-depth understanding of the entire audio market – including audiobooks, music, podcasts, and radio. The analysis focuses on the digital transformation of both listening and consumer payments, on both aggregated and actor specific levels. |
Mediavision in the News
Rekordmånga har tillgång till illegal IPTV – Dagens Media
Research: Over 700,000 Swedish homes access pirate content – Advanced Television
Marie Nilsson: Med lite tur blir 2025 ett ljust medieår – Dagens Media
Svenske unge tilbringer næsten en time om dagen på at se videoer på sociale medier – Mediawatch
Apparna avslöjar svenskarnas dåliga vanor – Dagens Industri
Research: Half Norwegian households now have streaming bundles via operators – Advanced Television
2025 preview: Who drives scripted commissioning next year? – Nordisk Film & TV Fond
Tiktok störst bland unga – det blir konsekvenserna – Expressen
Stadig flere velger strømming med reklame: – Lar seg ikke skremme – Kampanje
Strømming med reklame fortsetter å vokse kraftig i Norge – KOM24
Industry Events
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** Mediavision will present