NENT to focus on drama, drop unscripted

Nordic Entertainment (NENT) Group is reorganising its studio business to focus on drama, leading to the divestment of its non-scripted activities.

Anders Jensen

NENT Studios, the group’s content production and distribution arm, comprises 32 companies in 17 countries. The restructure will see it transform into a new business focused solely on scripted drama series and movies, while the unscripted production, branded entertainment and events businesses will be sold off.

In addition, the company plans to bring a minority equity partner into the scripted drama production business to further boost development.

NENT Group said the rejig reflected its focus on the growth potential of scripted drama and the synergies with its Viaplay streaming service.

It’s the latest in a string of restructures over the past few years, following former parent MTG’s on-off sale of the business that began in 2018.

Viaplay premiered 21 original productions in 2019 and expects to launch more then 30 this year. It aims to churn out a minimum of 40 original productions each year in the future.

It has commissioned Swedish romantic drama Harmonica as its next original production, from Love Me creator Josephine Bornebusch and Jonas Karlsson, with Sofie Palage producing for Warner Bros International Television Production Sweden.

The new scripted production business will comprise NENT Studios’ Nordic prodcos Brain Academy Nordics, Nice Drama, Epiq and Monster Scripted; its CEE prodco Paprika; NENT Studios’ UK operations including DRG and NENT Group’s joint venture with FilmNation Entertainment; its US-based scripted prodco Brain Academy US; and NENT Group’s investment in LA-based studio Picturestart.

The organisation will be focused on developing a comprehensive slate of new formats and selling existing ones internationally.

Primarily working with external clients, NENT Studios’ non-scripted production, branded entertainment and events companies comprise Strix, Baluba, Monster Entertainment, Novemberfilm, Moskito, Rakett, Strong Productions, Production House, Splay One, Playroom, One Big Happy Family and Grillifilms.

The sales process for these businesses will be conducted during the first half of 2020.

Anders Jensen, NENT Group president and CEO, said: “This reorganisation reflects how important it is for us to focus even further on the opportunity we have with scripted original content, its relevance for our Viaplay streaming service and the expansion ambitions that we have for the coming years. We therefore have a clear ambition to grow the number of NENT Studios-produced Viaplay Originals.

“We have also proven that these and many other shows are attractive to international media partners, who have picked up the rights for key territories around the world. We have had talks with several third parties who have expressed strong interest in investing in the exciting journey with the reorganised NENT Studios.

“Our successful non-scripted, branded entertainment and events companies primarily work with third party clients, which is why we believe that they will benefit from new owners that are more focused on these segments of the market.”