Viaplay, the Nordic streaming service, has reported a Q4 operating loss of SEK92 million (€8.24), an improvement on the SEK2.7 billion loss in the same period last year as the company shifts its strategy towards unscripted content and sports. Q4’s net loss also improved, down from SEK2.86 billion to SEK230 million.

Viplay closed 2024 with a financial net debt of SEK829 million and generated positive free cash flow of SEK384 million in Q4. Full year free cash flow amounted to negative SEK2 billion of which SEK 0.8 billion from Non-core markets and SEK1.2 billion from core markets.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, Viaplay President and CEO, commented: “Our Q4 and full-year results are in line with provided guidance, and we reiterate the targets for 2025. The targets of low- to mid-single-digit revenue growth and positive free cash flow for the core operations reflect our commitment to enhancing efficiency, maximising returns on investment, addressing value leakage across all areas, and maintaining strict cost control. We made progress in 2024 and much remains to be done as we continue our efforts to retransform Viaplay Group into a strong and sustainable business to the benefit of all stakeholders.”

“Our revised content strategy, with a focus on commercial and relevant non-scripted formats, continues to drive higher engagement across multiple platforms while contributing to a stronger, more relevant offering and improved returns on investment. During the quarter, a diverse range of non-scripted formats captivated audiences across our core markets. Looking ahead, we have a strong lineup, including new seasons of established formats like Paradise Hotel, Robinson Ekspeditionen and Luxury Trap and new formats such as Better Sex. Elbæks – Real Estate for Millions and Tobias & Patricia: Love in Chaos together with Borgs 24/7, both building on the popularity of widely known influencers with broad reach across multiple markets. Our portfolio of world-class sports and relevant local formats is unique, and both data and external research confirm that audiences place great value on our content. During the year, we have taken important steps to further monetise this portfolio, including the introduction of the HVoD tier and account-sharing restrictions on Viaplay, as well as the sale of sports and non-sports content to third parties. We will continue to transform, innovate and refine our value proposition for subscribers, suppliers, and partners, ensuring it fully reflects the relevance, impact and value it generates.”

“The HVoD tier on Viaplay, which includes advertising, has continued to attract and engage new subscribers in the Nordics. Recently, we launched HVoD in the Netherlands and introduced new linear channels in collaboration with local partners to further strengthen our advertising business, expand access to our premium sports offering, and add value for subscribers and partners.”

“Q4 Core organic sales growth of 5 per cent was driven by positive development across all areas except advertising, which decreased organically by 3% as growth in radio and digital was offset by the structural decline in linear TV advertising markets. We continue to focus on increasing our digital advertising inventory, which grew 36 per cent, driven by the recent launch of HVoD across all Nordic markets.”

“Viaplay streaming subscription sales organic growth of 5 per cent was driven by price adjustments implemented across all markets, in combination with favourable mix effects as the D2C subscriber base grew both sequentially and compared to last year, mainly driven by high ARPU sports subscribers. Viaplay Core D2C ARPU continued to see positive development both sequentially and compared to last year.”

“The 9 per cent organic sales growth in linear channel subscriptions was driven by price increases and new distribution agreements with our core partners. Sublicensing of sports and new partnership deals contributed to the 13 per cent organic growth in Sublicensing and Other. Lower operating expenses and sales growth contributed to Core operating income before ACI and IAC of SEK 210m. As in previous quarters, the underlying improvement was even stronger when factoring in FX headwinds.”

“We will continue to transform, innovate, and refine our value proposition for subscribers, suppliers, and partners, ensuring that it fully reflects its relevance, impact, and the value it generates. For 2025, we reiterate our ambitions of low-to-mid single-digit sales growth and positive free cash flow for our core operations, while remaining focused on retransforming Viaplay Group into a strong and sustainable business. We will innovate and deliver compelling and relevant stories, competitively priced products for subscribers who, following our development in account sharing, access them as intended. We will maintain strict cost control to ensure that expenses are aligned with revenues and generate the right return. In addition, we will carefully balance risks and opportunities while upholding disciplined liquidity management to strengthen our financial position. There is still work to be done, and we remain fully focused on executing with discipline and determination to create long-term value for all stakeholders,” concluded Lindemann.

Other posts by :

1. Russian satellite tumbling out of control
2. FCC boss praises AST SpaceMobile
3. Rakuten makes historic satellite video call
4. Rocket Lab confirms D2C ambitions
5. Turkey establishes satellite production ecosystem
6. Italy joins Germany in IRIS2 alternate thoughts
7. Kazakhstan to create museum at Yuri Gagarin launch site
8. AST SpaceMobile gets $42 or $1500 price target
9. Analyst: GEO bloodbath taking place

Categories: Articles, Business, Results

Tags: viaplay