Storytel strengthens its position in the Nordics. The Swedish audiobook service has acquired Finnish Suomalainen Kirjakauppa’s audiobook operations. The acquisition results in a transfer of Suomalainen Plus’ subscriber base to Storytel. Suomalainen Kirjakauppa, owned by Otava Group, is Finland’s largest bookstore chain with 56 physical stores, online sales and streaming operations.

“This agreement strengthens Storytel’s position in the vibrant Finnish market and as the Nordic market leader. We are also very pleased to deepen our relationship with the leading Finnish publishing and media owner Otava Ltd, who we had the pleasure of welcoming as a new shareholder in connection with our directed share issue in November,” says Johannes Larcher, CEO of Storytel.

The acquisition comes just weeks after Storytel’s competitor Bookbeat made a similar move and Finnish Supla’s audiobook operation was acquired. Suomalainen Plus subscribers will be transferred to Storytel and the customers will be notified of the migration shortly.

The world-famous studio Warner Bros. was founded by Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner a century ago. The company was incorporated on the 4th of April 1923 and yesterday was the studio’s 100th anniversary. Warner Bros. Discovery, which is now the home of the studio, has announced a slate of experiences, products and content, for fans to celebrate the milestone.

Warner Bros. will be running a year-long theatrical release schedule focusing on classics, newly remastered films and key anniversaries. Among the feature titles is a re-release of Superman the Movie, to coincide with the 85th anniversary of the titular character. The Exorcist and a new IMAX version of Elf will also come to cinemas. Newer movies from Warner Bros., such as A Star is Born and The Great Gatsby are also scheduled for cinemas this year.

Warner Bros. Discovery has also announced Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros., a celebrational international concert series coming to 100 cities worldwide, including Stockholm. The series will feature music from films and television shows from the studio’s history, including The Wizard of Oz, Batman, Friends, The Lord of The Rings & Inception. The musical experiences are taking place in majestic venues, such as cathedrals, theatres, museums, and gardens. The concert series will begin in April and run through December 2023.

A four-part documentary looking back at the company’s 100 year history will be released on HBO Max this spring. Furthermore, Warner Bros. are launching a line of collectible toys, gifts, fashion pieces and film bundles as a part of the celebration.

Looking ahead for Warner Bros. Discovery, one of the main events is the upcoming merged streaming service. The company will host a press event next week on the 12th of April to further discuss the new streaming product.

Upcoming Swedish feature film titled Let go was announced by Netflix last week. The drama is created, written, and directed by Swedish actress and filmmaker Josephine Bornebusch. As if that was not enough, Bornebusch will also be starring in one of the leading roles. Let Go is set to be released globally on Netflix in 2024, with additional cast and production company yet to be announced.

Another Swedish feature film, A part of you, has also been announced by Netflix. The coming-of-age drama is written by Michaela Hamilton and will be directed by author and podcast host Sigge Eklund, making it his feature film directorial debut. The film is produced by SF Studios and will release globally on Netflix in 2024. Cast is yet to be announced.

Swedish Netflix series Helicopter Heist is a new reality-based and character-driven series in eight parts about the secret drama behind one of the most spectacular heists in history. The series is based on Jonas Bonnier’s novel by the same name, adapted to the screen by Ronnie Sandahl and directed by Daniél Espinosa. Helicopter Heist is produced by Johannes Åhlund for B-Reel Films. Cast and release date is yet to be announced.

Lastly, a familiar team is back working with Netflix. Ten years since the release of Lilyhammer, creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin together with production company Rubicon is back on Netflix with Norwegian drama series Salmon Island. The series delivers a fun and dramatic portrait of the fish farming business. The cast and release date of Salmon Island is yet to be announced.

Marie Nilsson: Kontodelarna lever osäkert när streamingjättarna jagar intäkter – Dagens Media

Et stigende antal svenskere betaler for podcasts – Mediawatch

Sweden: Significant growth in podcast households – Advanced Television

TVOD in Sweden reaches record levels in 2022 – Broadband TV News

Netflix drag – så ska kontodelare jagas – Svenska Dagbladet

Stort tapp för nya poddar i världen – “Kärvare läge” – Sveriges Radio

Nordics: 3 million SVOD accounts are borrowed from other households – Piracy Monitor