Viaplay Content Distribution Unveils 20 Original Series from SkyShowtime
Viaplay Content Distribution has announced the acquisition of distribution rights for 20 original series from the streaming platform SkyShowtime. The announcement comes as the company prepares to showcase its catalog at the prestigious MIPCOM event in Cannes. This new slate includes a diverse mix of genres, featuring dramas, thrillers, comedies, and documentaries from various European countries.
Among the notable titles included in this collection is the Swedish drama Beartown, which explores small-town scandals, and the Norwegian time-travel series Beforeigners, which has gained popularity with its first two seasons. Other highlights are Kamikaze, a festival-winning series from Denmark, and the Polish comedy-drama Still Here. Additionally, the lineup features Success, a character-driven thriller from Croatia, and The Informant, a Cold War espionage drama from Hungary.
The collection also showcases a range of productions from other European nations. The German-Romanian cyber-crime thriller Hackerville and the Czech drama The Sleepers, which captures the essence of the Velvet Revolution, are included. Other series such as Lust, a Swedish friendship dramedy, and the Slovakian political drama-comedy The Winner add to the rich variety. The Romanian dark comedy Tuff Money and the Norwegian dramedy Welcome to Utmark further demonstrate the expansive storytelling from the region.
From Spain, the acquisition includes four additional series: Foodie Love, directed by Isabel Coixet, the queer identity comedy-drama Dafne and the Rest, a local adaptation of the Australian comedy-crime caper No Activity, and the friendship comedy One Way of Another. The documentary offerings comprise the Swedish true-crime series Pray, Obey, Kill, along with the father-daughter travelogue Czech It Out.
Vanda Rapti, Executive Vice President for Viaplay Select & Content Distribution, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration with SkyShowtime. “We’re proud to be working with SkyShowtime to bring some of Europe’s most creative talent and compelling stories to even more audiences around the world,” Rapti stated. “From festival-winning dramas to bold new voices, these series have already proven their quality at home – now we’re excited to bring them to international buyers seeking premium content with global appeal.”
SkyShowtime, a subscription-based streaming service owned by Comcast and Paramount, has positioned itself as a significant player in the European market. The platform has particularly focused on commissioning original content in Eastern Europe, an area that has seen a reduction in international buyers due to challenging global economic conditions. Recently, SkyShowtime announced the revival of the cult Polish crime drama Glina, highlighting its commitment to producing quality content.
The acquisition of these original series by Viaplay is expected to enhance the company’s offerings and broaden its audience reach, showcasing the wealth of talent and storytelling present in European television. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, this strategic move may set the stage for further collaborations and expansions within the global streaming market.
