Tag: Viaplay Group

Nordic Viaplay SVOD Service Launching in the U.S. Feb. 22

Sweden-based Viaplay Group will launch its Viaplay-branded subscription streaming VOD service in the United States on Feb. 22 (priced at $5.99 monthly), followed by service launch in Canada ($6.99 monthly) on March 7. The platform will bow with more than 1,500 hours of European content, with at least one premiere bowing weekly.

Viaplay content includes “Nordic Noir” dramas, series, movies and documentaries, many starring major Hollywood names. Viaplay’s North American launches will expand its direct-to-consumers footprint to 13 markets worldwide.

“Nordic Noir” content includes “Trom,” starring Ulrich Thomsen (“The New Pope”; “The Blacklist”), “Furia,” “Partisan” with Fares Fares (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and the young adult drama “Threesome,” co-starring Lucien Laviscount (“Emily in Paris”), among others.

In addition, Viaplay will offer curated third-party films such as A Man Called Ove (recently remade in Hollywood as A Man Called Oscar, starring Tom Hanks), the Oscar-winning dark comedy Another Round with Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) and Sofia Helin (Alex Rider) in historical drama The Emigrants, along with the dark financial series, Exit — one of Norway’s most streamed dramas ever. All content will have English subtitles.

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“We see an appreciative core audience in North America for our stylish international content, and an attractive opportunity to take a specialized position in the world’s most dynamic streaming market,” Anders Jensen, Viaplay Group president and CEO, said in a statement.

In North America, the Viaplay app is supported by a wide range of devices and platforms, including smart-TVs; Android and iOS smartphones and tablets; Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Chromecast; and Mac and PC. The service is also available through Comcast’s Xfinity and Xumo platforms, and as part of The Roku Channel’s premium subscriptions line-up.

Viaplay is currently available in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Chad Campbell Hired to Head PR as Sweden’s Viaplay Readies North American SVOD Service Launch

Veteran home entertainment communications executive Chad Campbell has been named head of public relations for Sweden-based Viaplay Group’s North American operations. In this new role, Campbell will oversee local publicity and events for the upcoming direct-to-consumer launches of the Viaplay streaming service in the United States and Canada.

Chad Campbell

Campbell reports to Anna Munkenberg-Fecci, SVP of marketing and communications for U.K., North America and Viaplay Select, and Vanda Rapti, chief commercial officer for North America and Viaplay Select.

One of Europe’s most successful streaming services, Viaplay will offer viewers in North America a line-up of series and films from the Nordic region, with a focus on the genre known as “Nordic Noir.” This refers to a distinctive style of screen storytelling that spans atmospheric and suspenseful dramas, provocative and stylish young adult series, dark comedies and classic noir thrillers.

Campbell previously spent 15 years leading domestic and international publicity for AMC Networks’ British TV-focused SVOD service Acorn TV.

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“Chad brings strong leadership and media relationships, and an impressive track record in streaming and international programming,” Rapti said in a statement. “His skills will be key in creating excitement around the incredible content Viaplay will bring to North American audiences.”

Campbell joined Acorn in 2007 and oversaw teams across the United States, United Kingdom, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. His campaigns included Acorn TV’s “Line of Duty,” “Manhunt,” “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries,” “Foyle’s War,” “Midsomer Murders,” “Queens of Mystery,” “Agatha Raisin” and “Bloodlands,” as well as AMC Networks’ “The Beast Must Die,” “Anne Boleyn” and the “True Crime Story” franchise, among others. He also oversaw all of Acorn TV’s TCA panels and helped secure two Primetime Emmy-nominations and 16 Mystery Writers of Association’s Edgar Award nominations for its programming.

Previously, Campbell worked at National Public Radio (NPR), Lionsgate, national publicity agency (DDA) and movie promotions/publicity field agencies.