Subscribers to the Sweden-based broadcaster and streamer’s various British services – including rugby fans who have been able to watch up to four Top 14 matches a week for the past two seasons, as well as full URC coverage and selected Challenge Cup games – were understandably dismayed as news broke on Thursday that Viaplay was looking to ‘team up or sell off ’ its interests in the UK market, as well as those in Poland, the Baltic states, Canada and the US.
For all the disappointment of subscriber sports fans in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – URC and Top 14 matches in Ireland are broadcast on Premier Sports Ireland, which is not owned by Viaplay – the big story behind the statement is the company’s decision to axe more than 25 per cent of its workforce in what the company’s new CEO Jorgen Madsen Lindemann described in a statement to investors as a “major cost reduction programme”.
Nor did he rule out more redundancies further down the line, as the company seeks to reverse losses of nearly €513million reported in its latest results.
Although there are no plans to pull out of the UK instantly, comments from the company’s president and CEO strongly hint that the broadcaster is eager to move out sooner rather than later.
For the moment, however, the company is busily pushing a ‘business as usual’ message for its British services.
A spokesperson said on Thursday: “We have announced a new strategic plan where Viaplay Group’s focus going forward will be in the Nordic markets, in the Netherlands, and on our Viaplay Select business.
Denne historien er fra July 23, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 23, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.
