• Viaplay Chief Commercial Officer Ira Gladnikoff becomes Head of Viaplay – the leading streaming service in the Nordic region
• The fast growing Viaplay service offers an unrivalled combination of series, films, live sport and kids’ content, including original productions

Ira Gladnikoff is stepping up to become Head of Viaplay with immediate effect. Ira is replacing Jonas Karlén, who joined MTG in 2008 and has been leading Viaplay since 2015 and has decided to leave the company. Ira joined MTG in 2015 and has been instrumental in developing Viaplay as the video streaming service of choice for consumers in the Nordic region.

Viaplay grew its customer base by four times between 2013 and 2016, and grew its revenues by five times. In both 2015 and 2016, Swedish quality rating agency Svenskt Kvalitetsindex named Viaplay the streaming service in Sweden with the most satisfied customers; in 2016, Viaplay was also recognized as the best Apple TV app in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

Anders Jensen, MTG EVP, Chairman of the Nordic Entertainment Management Board and MTG Sweden CEO: “We wish Jonas well in his new ventures and thank him for his nine years at MTG and leading the successful development of Viaplay. It is great that we have a ready made successor in Ira, who has extensive experience in the online video entertainment space and, as CCO of Viaplay, has been responsible for so much of Viaplay’s commercial success.

“Viaplay is a fantastic entertainment product created by a hugely talented team that works very closely with our other Nordic entertainment businesses and family of brands – Viasat, Viasport, Viafree, and Viareal. MTG is unique in combining the best of linear and on-demand entertainment so that everyone can watch their favourite shows whenever and wherever they want.”

Jonas Karlén: “It has been an amazing experience for me to lead the Viaplay team that has focused relentlessly on constantly developing the content offering and user experience, making Viaplay the leading Nordic streaming service. I have loved every minute and I will continue to be a huge Viaplay fan.”

Ira Gladnikoff: “Viaplay is a passion of mine and I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to lead such a great team. We provide our subscribers with a more varied streamed content experience than any other service, and there are so many opportunities to work with our fellow MTG Nordic entertainment brands to deliver even more integrated and engaging entertainment experiences – this is just the beginning.”

An unrivalled content portfolio

Viaplay is the leading streaming service in the Nordic region. Subscribers enjoy the latest international TV series and blockbuster films, as well as kids’ content – both online or offline. Viaplay is also home to the best live sports action including UEFA Champions League and English Premier League football; Formula 1; NHL; NFL and UFC. Viaplay is available through connected TVs, smartphone and tablet apps (Android or iOS), game consoles, Apple TV and Google Chromecast.

Focus on original productions – Viaplay Originals

Viaplay is also investing in creating a line-up of original drama productions and feature titles, which already include LA based comedy drama ‘Swedish Dicks’, Christmas calendar ‘The Great Escape’ and the drama series ‘Veni Vidi Vici’, which was named in the official selection at the prestigious MIPDrama Screenings.

The latest production commissioned are ‘ALEX’, starring Dragomir Mrsic; drama ‘The Lawyer’; political thriller ‘Embassy Down’; the second season of ‘Swedish Dicks’; Nordic noir ‘Hassel’; and biopic ‘SuperSwede’ about the life of Formula 1 driver Ronnie Peterson.

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NOTES TO EDITORS 

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