Pluto TV launches in Nordics, merges with Viafree

Paramount’s FAST service Pluto TV today expanded to the Nordic market with launches in Sweden, Denmark and Norway in partnership with Nordic Entertainment (NENT Group)/Viaplay.

For the first time Paramount’s FAST offering will launch in combination with a local AVOD service, NENT Group’s Viafree, bringing a more comprehensive free streaming experience to audiences in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Following the launch, Viafree will be phased out as a stand-alone service.

Pluto TV unveiled a programming line-up that features more than 70 channels that are now live in each country.

For the first time internationally, Pluto TV in the Nordics will offer live sports. Mixed martial arts outfit Bellator MMA will have a dedicated channel streaming all 2022 fights exclusively in the Nordics, with many fights streaming live.

Pluto TV has also partnered with World RX to offer all 2022 live events and library races from the FIA World Rallycross Championship through a dedicated channel, available in Denmark and Norway from July 1.

Viafree content on the combined offering will meanwhile give the service a more local flavour with a line-up that includes Lyxfällan/Luksusfellen/Luksusfælden (Luxury Trap), in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, Svenska Truckers (Swedish Truckers) and Svenska Hollywoodfruar (Swedish Hollywood Wives) in Sweden, Familien fra Bryggen (The Kesslers) and MasterChef – Danmarks Største Madtalenter (MasterChef) in Denmark and Eventyrlig Oppussing (Amazing Makeovers) and celebrity cooking show Camp Kulinaris (Camp Kulinaris) in Norway.

In both Denmark and Norway, audiences can stream a channel featuring reality format Paradise, which will become available later this month, with new episodes released weekly, following the show’s premiere on Viaplay streaming service.

Pluto TV will offer dedicated channels featuring The Hills, Catfish: The TV Show and Ex on The Beach. Comedy Central shows such as a dedicated 24/7 South Park channel and Nickelodeon kids shows such as PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and iCarly.

“Pluto TV launched with a mission to entertain the planet and today’s highly-anticipated launch in the Nordics brings us another step closer to achieving our goal. Forging this alliance with a respected leader like NENT further demonstrates the type of bold innovation we are employing to advance our global footprint. The union of Pluto TV and Viafree delivers the best of both worlds, debuting a frictionless and free streaming destination with something for everyone,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO, Paramount Streaming.

“The launch of Pluto TV in the Nordics is a tremendous milestone for the service, as we’re now streaming in more than 30 countries and territories globally. This transformative partnership will serve as the framework as we continue to expand Pluto TV throughout Europe and in new continents, including Australia and Africa, bringing this strategic model of free streaming to the world,” said Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO, international networks, studios and streaming, Paramount.