ViaPlay in trouble: Saskia Noort project and other drama series canceled or threatened | show
UpdateViaPlay is not working well. The streaming service had ordered four Dutch drama series, including a prestigious project from best-selling author Saskia Noort, all of which are now in doubt. Several people who work for ViaPlay’s entertainment arm have been laid off, inside sources say.
It is about the following series: roombeek (about the fireworks disaster in Enschede), Hunt for Jasper S. (on the murder of Marianne Vaatstra), The blame (about a mother who discovers that her teenage son has committed murder) and Something stupid by author Saskia Noort about women who want revenge on the man who betrayed them.
EndemolShine Netherlands, which is responsible for the production of roombeek takes care, confirms the cancellation by ViaPlay. Saskia Noort also informs this website that the service puts an end to her project Something stupid. “Conversations on how to proceed will take place soon. We’ve been working on this for a year. People should be paid for that.” Hunt for Jasper S. is produced by Pupkin, The blame by Ginger Fiction, the drama arm of Vincent TV Productions. They may also have to find another cooperation partner.
The originally Scandinavian group ViaPlay, based in Sweden, reportedly warned shareholders of a loss of millions and expects fewer subscribers. CEO Anders Jensen recently left the field. His successor, Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, is now busy with austerity measures.
A Dutch spokesperson: ,,As part of the implementation of the new operating model, this means, among other things, that decisions have to be made about changes in roles and responsibilities in various parts of the Viaplay Group. Each management team is reviewing their own organisation, but as this work is in progress no further details can be given at this stage.”
Formula 1
Rumors that ViaPlay is having financial problems have been circulating for some time. The transmitter would stop bringing local drama in the Netherlands. ViaPlay is also the ‘channel’ that will broadcast Formula 1 in the Netherlands from 2022. Through the parent company NENT, it took over the rights to Ziggo Sport. The Formula 1 contract expires next year. VodafoneZiggo would take advantage of the rights to return Formula 1 to Ziggo Sport. In addition to motorsports, ViaPlay also owns the broadcast rights to the British Premier League and the German Bundesliga.
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