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Canal Plus signals intent to increase Viaplay stake

The logo of Sweden-based streaming service Viaplay. (Courtesy image)
The logo of Sweden-based streaming service Viaplay. (Courtesy image)

French mass media company Canal Plus Group has expressed an interest in increasing its stake in Swedish counterpart Viaplay.

Last week, Canal Plus parent Vivendi and PF Cyprus Management Limited notified regulators in Austria that they both intend to increase their stake in Viaplay to over 25 percent each.

Canal Plus operates a streaming service in Austria that includes content from Viaplay, as well as TV shows and films from the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Walt Disney Company’s National Geographic and others.

Viaplay is currently in the process of restructuring its company, a move that includes pulling its business from certain countries while focusing on its core Nordic operations.

In July, Canal Plus Group acquired a 12 percent stake in Viaplay, shortly after Viaplay said it was reducing its global workforce by around 25 percent.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting. Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn by clicking or tapping here.