In an unexpected turn of events, Viaplay is set to re-enter the UK streaming market, less than three months after its official exit.
The Nordic entertainment company announced today that it will launch a new Viaplay channel on Amazon’s Prime Video platform, focusing exclusively on its acclaimed Nordic drama series and films.
The new Viaplay channel will be available as an add-on subscription via Prime Video Channels starting Tuesday, 9 July 2024, at a cost of £4.99/month.
The launch marks another shift in Viaplay’s UK plans, returning to the market with a streamlined content offering that excludes the sports programming that was previously a key part of its UK service.
Viaplay’s Rollercoaster Journey in the UK
Viaplay’s history in the UK market has been turbulent, to say the least. The company first entered the UK in November 2022, following its acquisition of Premier Sports.
At launch, Viaplay offered two packages: a £3.99/month Films & Series package focused on Nordic content, and a £14.99/month Total package that included sports programming inherited from Premier Sports.
However, Viaplay’s UK venture faced significant challenges. In July 2023, citing financial difficulties and a need to refocus on its core Nordic markets, Viaplay announced plans to exit the UK.
This exit strategy culminated in the sale of its UK sports rights back to Premier Sports.
The transition saw Premier Sports relaunching in the UK last April, taking over Viaplay’s linear channels and sports rights.
Viaplay’s streaming service remained accessible to existing subscribers until May 2024, both as a standalone service and on as a Prime Video Channel, at which point it shut down permanently.
Viaplay’s New Prime Video Channel
Viaplay’s re-entry into the UK market takes the form of a Prime Video Channel (yes, again).
For those unfamiliar, Prime Video Channels are add-on subscriptions available to Amazon Prime members, allowing them to access additional content from various providers.
The channels can then be viewed on any device that supports Amazon’s Prime Video apps – without needing to download separate apps – but at an extra cost.
The new Viaplay channel will offer subscribers access to thousands of hours of premium Nordic and European content. The lineup includes a mix of popular genres:
Nordic Noir/Crime Dramas: Viewers can expect iconic series like The Bridge (all four seasons), Face to Face starring Lars Mikkelsen, the mysterious Fenris, and Faroe Islands-set Trom.
Hit series like No Time to Mourn (Seasons 1-5), Honour (Seasons 1-3), and Darkness: Those Who Kill (Seasons 1-3) will also be available.
Young Adult Series: Offerings include the provocative drama Delete Me and the LGBTQ+ short-form series One of the Boys.
Dramas: The channel will feature a variety of acclaimed series and films, including the dystopian dramedy The Architect, Lasse Hallström’s Hilma, financial drama Exit (Seasons 1-2), and the International Emmy-nominated The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen starring Connie Nielsen.
Documentaries: Notable titles include The Most Remote Restaurant in the World, following the nearly impossible journey of a chef to set up shop in a far-flung Arctic location, and Crime Scene Sweden, offering in-depth looks at infamous Swedish murders.
The channel will regularly add new content. Upcoming premieres include the second season of Threesome on July 9, Murderesses on July 22, and the modern Danish comedy Call Me Dad on July 29.
Sports fans will also find content to their liking on the new Viaplay channel. Coming in August are two highly anticipated series: Bendtner, a three-part docuseries premiering on August 12, which chronicles the extraordinary journey of football prodigy Nicklas Bendtner.
This will be followed on August 24 by Börje – The Journey of a Legend, a record-setting, six-part drama series about hockey hall of famer Börje Salming. The series stars Valter Skarsgård and Jason Priestley, known for his role in Beverly Hills, 90210.
The Viaplay channel will be available to Prime Video subscribers with a 7-day free trial, after which a subscription fee of £4.99/month will apply.
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