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Viaplay Group

Earnings Release Jul 18, 2024

2993_ir_2024-07-18_34744987-0df0-4c7a-aab4-53ab9ec5cd5f.pdf

Earnings Release

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2024 Q2

Continued focus on operational improvements and product performance

Second quarter highlights

  • Total reported Group net sales of SEK 4,485m (4,591) and total operating income before associated company income (ACI) and items affecting comparability (IAC) of SEK -70m (-273)

  • 2.6% organic sales growth for core operations (Nordics, Netherlands and Viaplay Select), with sales of SEK 4,292m (4,282) and operating income before ACI and IAC of SEK -72m (82)

  • Total reported operating income of SEK 7m (-6,551) including ACI of SEK 28m (2) and IAC1 of SEK 48m (-6,279)

  • Net income of SEK -120m (-5,886) and Earnings per share of SEK -0.03 (-75.24)

  • Group free cash flow of SEK 606m (263), and financial net cash position of SEK 372m (net debt of 1,879)

  • Prolongation of Formula 1 rights in the Netherlands and Nordics

  • Prolongation of UEFA League rights in key markets, including addition of Champions League rights in Sweden

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Total net sales 4,485 4,591 9,241 9,128 18,567
Core operations, net sales 4,292 4,282 8,751 8,560 17,332
Organic sales growth for core operations 2.6% 12.6% 4.1% 19.5% 10.6%
Reported sales growth for core operations 0.2% 16.5% 2.2% 23.2% 13.5%
Operating income before ACI and IAC -70 -273 -387 -564 -1,115
Core operations operating income before ACI and IAC -72 82 -341 184 89
Associated company income (ACI) 28 2 60 12 63
Items affecting comparability (IAC)1 48 -6,279 -140 -6,323 -9,224
Operating income 7 -6,551 -467 -6,875 -10,276
Net income for the period -120 -5,886 485 -6,174 -9,747
Basic earnings per share (SEK) -0.03 -75.24 0.13 -78.93 -124.61

Financial summary

1) Items affecting comparability comprised capital gain on divestment of Viaplay UK business; redundancy costs; and unrealised non-cash currency effects related to previous content provisions. Please see page 23 regarding items affecting comparability. Alternative performance measures used in this report are explained and reconciled on pages 20-25.

A word from our President & CEO

Our focused work to retransform Viaplay Group is progressing, with substantial changes being made across the business, and many more to come. We are launching new, improved and more relevant products, talking to our partners about how best to monetise our content, and reducing costs in all areas. These changes are necessary for us to deliver competitive products to our customers and partners, and to achieve our long-term goals of delivering profitable growth, generating positive cash flow and creating shareholder value. Our guidance for 2024 is unchanged.

During the quarter, we announced new long-term partnerships with Formula 1 and UEFA that will drive increased viewing and further commercial opportunities. Viaplay Group's platform will remain home to Formula 1 in the Netherlands and all five Nordic countries until 2029, and we have secured top-class European club football for our viewers in four Nordic countries for the next three seasons, including the return of the UEFA Champions League in Sweden. Both deals reflect our commitment to competing for the long term in our core markets, and to offering unique premium content that appeals to scale audiences.

Our films and series content is also performing better, with the top titles including Norwegian original crime series 'Wisting', Swedish soap opera 'The Beach Hotel', and the new season of popular reality format 'Paradise Hotel Denmark'.

Looking ahead, we have new seasons of the Danish Superliga and Premier League kicking off this summer, and Formula 1 arriving at World Champion Max Verstappen's home circuit in the Netherlands in August. At the same time, we will premiere new seasons of proven local productions like 'Paradise Hotel Sweden', 'Charter Fever' in Norway and 'Expedition Robinson' in Denmark.

Our content is both our biggest revenue driver and our largest cost. Fully monetising our unique offering is a key priority, and new products such as the Viaplay HVOD tier, which we rolled out in June in Denmark with further markets to come, should play an important role moving forward. Updating and reframing our B2B distribution deals is also critical given how popular and relevant we see our content is for viewers and customers, and in order to establish a fair commercial balance. Our priority is to build value, not just volume. This is also why we have raised our prices across almost all markets, given the great value for money that our products provide.

At the same time, we are accelerating our actions to prevent the value leakage caused by account sharing and piracy. We are working directly with our subscribers, and closely with our B2B distribution partners, to minimise out of home account sharing by limiting the number of concurrent streams possible on Viaplay, so that we can all convert more account sharers into paying subscribers. The early signs look good and we do expect our customers to play fair in this regard so that they can continue to enjoy our strong line-up of sports, movies and series. Together with our industry peers, we also launched an anti-piracy campaign in Sweden, with more countries to follow.

Our organic revenue growth of 3% for our core operations was driven by the 7% growth in linear channel subscription sales as we raised our prices to reflect the strength of our content offering. The 1% decline in Viaplay sales reflected lower subscriber volumes but higher prices, with more work to be done with our customer offering and partnership agreements moving forward. The 5% growth in our advertising revenues was driven by growth in digital and radio, which more than offset falling sales in weak but gradually improving linear TV markets. And sublicensing revenues were up due to the sale of content to third parties, in order to reduce the loss on legacy original content.

The operating loss of SEK -72m for our core operations is in line with our full year outlook and reflected higher sports costs and lower SG&A costs. The weakness of the Swedish krona also continued to exert a negative effect on our profitability. We closed the quarter with a financial net cash position of SEK 372m and generated positive free cash flow of SEK 606m in Q2, both of which are in line with our plan.

The exit from our non-core international markets is ongoing, and we completed the sale of the Viaplay UK operation in Q2, having exited the Baltic markets in Q1.

"Our content offering is becoming even more

relevant and attractive as we develop and enhance our storytelling. Our products must be paid for fairly and priced right. Our partnerships must be

mutually beneficial. Our culture must reflect our position and our ambition. We are focused on making the improvements that are needed to turn compelling storytelling into strong and sustainable business."

We have made good progress so far, but much remains to be done for us to retransform back into the successful, competitive, profitable, cash flow positive and shareholder value creating company that we were.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann President & CEO

Group performance

Sales

Group net sales amounted to SEK 4,485m (4,591). The core operations (Nordics, Netherlands and Viaplay Select) generated organic sales growth of 2.6% and net sales amounted to SEK 4,292m (4,282). The growth was primarily driven by linear channel subscription sales. Net sales for the non-core operations (Poland) amounted to SEK 193m (309). Please see pages 21-22 for a reconciliation of the core operations' reported and organic sales growth.

Operating income

Operating income before ACI and IAC amounted to SEK -70m (-273), with operating income before ACI and IAC of SEK -72m (82) for the core operations and SEK 2m (-355) for the non-core operations. IAC of SEK 48m (-6,279) comprised the capital gain on the divestment of Viaplay UK, redundancy costs and unrealised non-cash foreign exchange translation effects related to previous content provisions. ACI totalled SEK 28m (2) and primarily comprised the Group's 50% share of the net income of Allente. Total operating income therefore amounted to SEK 7m (-6,551). Please see page 23 for further information about the items affecting comparability and note 3 on page 16 regarding Allente's financial performance and position.

Net financial items and net income

Net interest and other financial items totalled SEK -104m (-35). Net interest amounted to SEK -72m (-50), of which SEK -7m (-3) related to net lease liabilities, and reflected higher borrowing costs following the refinancing. Other financial items amounted to SEK -32m (15) mainly comprised facility fees and impact of currency exchange rates on the revaluation of financial items.

Taxes amounted to SEK -23m (700), with Group net income of SEK -120m (-5,886) and basic earnings per share of SEK -0.03 (-75.24).

Cash flow

Cash flow from operations, excluding changes in working capital, totalled SEK -180m (-198) and included SEK 0m (100) of cash dividends from Allente. Changes in working capital amounted to SEK 794m (506) and cash flow from operating activities therefore totalled SEK 614m (308).

Cash flow related to investing activities amounted to SEK 56m (-45) and included SEK 64m related to the divestment of Viaplay UK, SEK -13m (-46) of capital expenditure on tangible and intangible assets, and SEK 5m (1) of other investing activities.

Cash flow from financing activities amounted to SEK -1m (-651). The total net change in cash and cash equivalents therefore amounted to SEK 669m (-388).

Group free cash flow (cash flow from operating activities plus cash flow from investing activities excluding acquisitions and divestments) amounted to SEK 606m (263), of which SEK 605m related to the core operations and SEK 1m related to the non-core operations.

Financial position

.

Group net debt totalled to SEK -96m (2,229) at the end of the period. Financial net debt, when excluding net lease liabilities of SEK 276m (350), totalled SEK -372m (1,879). Cash and cash equivalents amounted to SEK 1,996m (1,648) at the end of the period, while the Group's total borrowings amounted to SEK 1,870m (3,547).

The recapitalisation programme was finalised on 9 February 2024 and generated net proceeds of SEK 3,610m, after transaction costs of SEK 390m. The recapitalisation programme included the write down of SEK 2,000m of debt, of which SEK 500m was exchanged for shares. The equity value of those shares totalled SEK 810m at the time that the debt was cancelled and is reported within equity, while SEK 1,190m is recognised as other financial income in net financial items in the Group's income statement, all included in Q1 2024. The recapitalisation programme includes the amendment and extension of existing bank and bond commitments until 2028. The commitments are subject to financial covenants.

Performance by operating segment

Core operations

Q2 Q2 Reported
change
Organic
sales
H1 H1 Full
year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 % growth % 2024 2023 2023
Viaplay streaming subscription 1,996 2,014 -0.9% -1.2% 3,960 4,054 7,998
Linear channel subscription 1,202 1,125 6.8% 6.6% 2,384 2,273 4,531
Advertising 901 857 5.1% 4.6% 1,735 1,729 3,552
Sublicensing & other 193 285 -32.2% 11.1% 672 504 1,251
Net sales 4,292 4,282 0.2% 2.6% 8,751 8,560 17,332
Operating expenses before ACI and IAC -4,364 -4,200 -3.9% -9,092 -8,376 -17,243
Operating income before ACI and IAC -72 82 n.a -341 184 89
Operating margin before ACI and IAC (%) -1.7% 1.9% - -3.9% 2.1% 0.5%
Viaplay subscribers ('000) 4,710 4,952 -4.9% 4,710 4,952 4,843

Viaplay streaming subscription sales were down 1% year-on-year and grew slightly quarter-on-quarter to account for 47% of segment net sales. The year-on-year development reflected a decrease in the number of subscribers, which were partly offset by price increases across almost all markets. The quarter-on-quarter development also reflected the price increases. The price increases primarily immediately affect the D2C subscriber base and take longer to impact the B2B base.

Linear channel subscription sales, which comprise fees received from distributors for including the Group's linear channels in their TV packages, grew by 7% year-on-year on an organic basis and accounted for 28% of segment net sales. The growth reflected uplifts in agreements and price increases.

The Nordic advertising markets continue to improve sequentially but were still down overall. Group advertising sales grew 5% year-on-year on an organic basis as a result of continued growth in digital and radio advertising sales, which more than compensated for lower linear TV advertising sales. The Group's digital advertising inventory increased by 31% year-on-year. The Group's TV target audience share was up in Sweden and down in Norway and Denmark, with the TV advertising markets estimated to have declined in all three markets. The Group's radio target audience share was stable in both Norway and Sweden, with the radio advertising market estimated to have grown in both countries. Advertising revenues accounted for 21% of segment net sales.

Sublicensing & other sales, which primarily comprise the sublicensing of sports and non-sports content to third parties, as well as sales by Viaplay Studios for prior periods, were up 11% year-on-year on an organic basis and accounted for 4% of segment net sales. The growth primarily reflected higher sales of non-sports content.

Operating expenses were up 4% year-on-year and reflected higher content costs and negative FX effects due to the continued weakness of the Swedish krona. Segment operating income before ACI and IAC amounted to SEK -72m (82), and segment free cash flow amounted to SEK 605m. The year-on-year change in operating profitability included SEK -89m of negative FX effects arising from the purchasing of content in currencies that have strengthened against the Group's SEK reporting currency.

Non-core operations

Reported Full
Q2 Q2 change H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 % 2024 2023 2023
Total net sales 193 309 -37.5% 490 567 1,235
Operating expenses before ACI and IAC -191 -664 71.2% -536 -1,315 -2,439
Operating income before ACI and IAC 2 -355 n.a -46 -748 -1,204
Operating margin before ACI and IAC (%) n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a
Viaplay subscribers ('000) 1,484 1,679 -11.6% 1,484 1,679 1,659

The year-on-year decline in net sales reflected the sale of the UK business and exit from the Baltics, balanced by growth in the Polish subscriber base. Segment operating income before ACI and IAC amounted to SEK 2m (-355), and segment free cash flow amounted to SEK 1m.

Parent company

Viaplay Group AB is the Group's parent company and is responsible for Group-wide management, administration and financing. Net sales for the parent company amounted to SEK 8m (11). Income before tax amounted to SEK 13m (65), and net income for the period amounted to SEK 13m (51). The income statement and balance sheet for the parent company are presented on page 13.

Sustainability

In line with its commitment to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion, the Group continued to broadcast and stream coverage of world-class women's sports during the quarter, including the new season of Sweden's top women's football league, Damallsvenskan; live LPGA Tour golf; the National Women's Soccer League from the US; and the 24th IHF Women's handball Junior World Championship.

Viaplay Group was part of a consortium of academic institutions and businesses that won funding from the EU Horizon Europe - Innovation Action Programme for the StreamSCAPES research and innovation project. StreamSCAPES aims to develop approaches for driving sustainable climate transition through streaming platforms as central nodes within the audiovisual and cultural sectors. Additionally, the Group hosted and participated in the first meeting of the Green Producers Club in Sweden, which provides an emissions measurement tool for productions, and aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking in order to support the Nordic cultural and creative industries in reducing their emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

As part of its commitment to ensuring health & safety, human rights and production working environments aligned with Viaplay Group's values and codes of conduct, the Group conducted an on-site sustainability and social audit of a new non-scripted production in Norway during the quarter. Additionally, the Group conducted a Double Materiality Assessment according to European Sustainability Reporting Standard guidance in preparation for reporting in compliance with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in 2025.

Financial targets

Viaplay Group's operational and financial targets were updated in conjunction with the publication of the prospectus related to its new equity issues on 16 January 2024. These targets are unchanged and as follows:

Full year 2024

Net sales for core operations (Nordic,
Netherlands, and Viaplay Select)
SEK 17.2-17.8 billion
Operating income before ACI & IAC for core
operations (Nordic, Netherlands and Viaplay
Select)
Between a loss of SEK 250 million and a profit of SEK 50 million
Group free cash flow 1) Negative SEK 1.7-2.2 billion, including negative SEK 0.6-0.8 billion for the
non-core operations

1) Cash flow from operating activities plus cash flow from investing activities excluding acquisitions and divestments of operations.

The Group's non-core operations are expected to report sales of approximately SEK 0.8-1.0 billion, an operating loss of approximately SEK 0.1 billion, and negative free cash flow of approximately SEK 0.6-0.8 billion for the full year 2024.

Risks & uncertainties

Significant risks and uncertainties exist for the Group and the parent company and are described in the Group's 2023 Annual & Sustainability report on pages 21-26. These factors include, for example, the prevailing economic and business environments in each of the Group's markets combined with content cost commitments; content and sports rights' attractiveness; political and legislative risks related to changes in rules and regulations in the various territories in which the Group operates; exposure to foreign exchange rate movements; changes in the ability to access capital markets and financing; fulfilment of financial covenants; the successful implementation of the new strategy and plan; and the competition for subscribers, audiences, content and talent. The increasing shift towards online entertainment consumption and the Group's expansion also make the Group a potential target for cyber-attacks, intrusions, disruptions, or denials of service. Viaplay Group monitors each of these situations closely and acts accordingly.

Other information

Significant events during and after the quarter

A full list of announcements and reports can be found at www.viaplaygroup.com

Board's assurance

The Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer certify that this interim report provides a true and fair overview of the Group and parent company's operations, performance and financial position for the period, and describes the material risks and uncertainties facing the Group companies and parent company.

Stockholm, 18 July 2024

Simon Duffy Katarina Bonde Anna Bäck Chair of the Board Non-executive Director Non-executive Director

Erik Forsberg Andrea Gisle Joosen Jacques du Puy

Non-executive Director Non-executive Director Non-executive Director

Maxime Saada Didier Stoessel Annica Witschard

Non-executive Director Non-executive Director Non-executive Director

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann President & CEO

This report has not been reviewed by the Group's auditors.

Financial statements

Condensed consolidated income statement

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Net sales 4,485 4,591 9,241 9,128 18,567
Cost of sales -3,985 -4,195 -8,445 -8,325 -17,265
Gross income 500 396 796 803 1,302
Selling and marketing expenses -230 -283 -461 -613 -1,094
General and administrative expenses -342 -404 -716 -820 -1,545
Other operating income and expenses 3 17 -6 65 222
Share of earnings in associated companies and joint ventures 28 2 60 12 63
Items affecting comparability 48 -6,279 -140 -6,323 -9,224
Operating income 7 -6,551 -467 -6,875 -10,276
Net financial items -104 -35 987 -72 -247
Income before tax -97 -6,586 520 -6,948 -10,523
Tax -23 700 -35 774 776
Net income for the period -120 -5,886 485 -6,174 -9,747
Other comprehensive income
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss net of
tax
Currency translation differences -29 91 -14 -21 -83
Cash flow hedges -14 69 37 36 -174
Other comprehensive income for the period -43 160 23 15 -257
Total comprehensive income for the period -163 -5,726 508 -6,159 -10,004
Net income for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the Parent company -120 -5,886 485 -6,174 -9,747
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the Parent company -163 -5,726 508 -6,159 -10,004
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (SEK) -0.03 -75.24 0.13 -78.93 -124.61
Diluted earnings per share (SEK) -0.03 -75.24 0.13 -78.93 -124.61
Number of shares
Shares outstanding at the end of the period
Basic average number of shares outstanding
4,578,225,962
4,578,225,962
78,225,962
78,225,962
4,578,225,962
3,614,141,811
78,225,962
78,225,962
78,225,962
78,225,962

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

(SEKm) 30 Jun
2024
30 Jun
2023
31 Dec
2023
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 1,685 1,962 1,711
Machinery, equipment and installations 147 176 158
Right-of-use assets 231 303 251
Shares and participations 1,177 1,214 1,204
Long-term sublease receivables 66 98 78
Deferred tax assets 974 893 972
Other long-term receivables 13 82 21
Total non-current assets 4,293 4,728 4,395
Current assets
Inventories 2,829 3,116 2,911
Accounts receivable 1,214 1,109 1,084
Short-term sublease receivables 34 35 32
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 7,912 8,525 7,799
Other current receivables 297 472 344
Cash and cash equivalents 1,996 1,648 2,542
Assets held for sale - - 610
Total current assets 14,282 14,905 15,322
Total assets 18,575 19,632 19,717
Equity
Equity 4,106 2,765 -1,090
Total equity 4,106 2,765 -1,090
Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings 1,870 2,550 2,550
Long-term lease liabilities 276 364 308
Long-term provisions 2,623 2,217 3,235
Deferred tax liabilities 199 130 195
Other non-current liabilities 11 5 15
Total non-current liabilities 4,979 5,266 6,303
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings - 997 4,700
Short-term lease liabilities 100 119 93
Short-term provisions 876 66 797
Other current liabilities 8,514 10,418 8,467
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - - 447
Total current liabilities 9,490 11,600 14,504
Total liabilities 14,469 16,866 20,807
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities 18,575 19,632 19,717

.

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flow

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Operating activities
Net income for the period -120 -5,886 485 -6,174 -9,747
Dividends from associated companies and joint ventures - 100 100 100 100
Depreciation, amortisation and write-down 51 76 103 150 301
Other adjustments incl deferred tax -111 5,512 -1,488 5,397 7,904
Cash flow from operations, excluding changes in working capital -180 -198 -801 -527 -1,442
Changes in working capital 794 506 -106 -143 -1,906
Cash flow from operating activities 614 308 -907 -670 -3,348
Investing activities
Divestments of operations 64 - 126 - 5
Capital expenditures in tangible and intangible assets -13 -46 -24 -104 -159
Other cash flow from investing activities 5 1 7 5 17
Cash flow from investing activities 56 -45 109 -99 -137
Financing activities
New borrowings - 260 - 860 4,985
Amortisation of borrowings - -913 -3,392 -1,213 -1,635
Net change in leases -10 -8 -32 -36 -82
Share issue - - 4,000 - -
Transaction cost, total recapitalisation -2 - -390 - -
Other cash flow from financing activities 11 10 31 9 21
Cash flow from financing activities -1 -651 217 -380 3,289
Change in cash and cash equivalents for the period 669 -388 -581 -1,149 -196
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 1,336 2,007 2,569 2,775 2,775
Translation differences in cash and cash equivalents -9 29 8 22 -10
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 1,996 1,648 1,996 1,648 2,569
Cash and cash equivalents included in assets held for sale - - - - -27
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period, continuing 1,996 1,648 1,996 1,648 2,542

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Opening balance 4,271 8,486 -1,090 8,911 8,911
Net income for the period -120 -5,886 485 -6,174 -9,747
Other comprehensive income for the period -43 160 23 15 -257
Total comprehensive income for the period -163 -5,726 508 -6,159 -10,004
Share issue - - 4,000 - -
Debt to equity issue - - 810 - -
Share issue transaction costs -2 - -125 - -
Effect of share based programmes - 5 3 13 3
Closing balance 4,106 2,765 4,106 2,765 -1,090

Parent company condensed income statement

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Net sales 8 11 16 22 96
General and administrative expenses -49 -41 -106 -86 -182
Other operating income and expenses 1 - 1 1 1
Items affecting comparability -12 -1 -33 -10 -67
Operating income -52 -31 -122 -73 -152
Net financial items 65 96 1,298 189 280
Income before tax 13 65 1,176 116 128
Tax - -14 1 -24 31
Net income for the period 13 51 1,177 92 159
Other comprehensive income
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss net of tax
Cash flow hedge -1 8 2 7 -2
Other comprehensive income for the period -1 8 2 7 -2
Total comprehensive income for the period 12 59 1,179 99 157

Parent company condensed balance sheet

30 Jun 30 Jun 31 Dec
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2023
Non-current assets
Shares and participations in Group companies 5,927 230 5,925
Long-term receivables from Group companies 2,115 9,046 3,005
Other long-term receivables 74 48 74
Total non-current assets 8,116 9,324 9,004
Current assets
Short-term receivables from Group companies 6,908 2,561 6,968
Other current receivables 287 331 205
Cash and bank 1,913 1,472 2,428
Total current assets 9,108 4,364 9,601
Total assets 17,224 13,688 18,605
Equity
Restricted equity 275 158 158
Non-restricted equity 12,387 6,590 6,638
Total equity 12,662 6,748 6,796
Provisions
Provisions 10 1 19
Total provisions 10 1 19
Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings 1,870 2,550 2,550
Other non-current liabilities 11 8 14
Total non-current liabilities 1,881 2,558 2,564
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings - 997 4,700
Liabilities to Group companies 2,527 2,977 4,240
Other current liabilities 144 407 286
Total current liabilities 2,671 4,381 9,226
Total equity and liabilities 17,224 13,688 18,605

Notes

Note 1 – Accounting policies

This Interim report has been prepared according to 'IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting' and 'The Annual Accounts Act'. The interim report for the parent company has been prepared according to the Annual Accounts Act – Chapter 9 'Interim Report'.

The Group's financial accounts and the parent company accounts have been prepared according to the same accounting policies and calculation methods as were applied in the preparation of the 2023 Annual & Sustainability Report. Disclosures in accordance with IAS 34.16A are presented in the financial statements and their accompanying notes, as well as in other parts of the interim report. The preparation of the interim report requires Viaplay Group to update assessments and estimates, and make assumptions that affect the application of the accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as income and expenses, where the underlying risks have been described on page 8 of this interim report. The actual outcome may differ from these estimates and judgements. The critical assessments and sources of uncertainty in estimates are overall the same as those described in note 2 in the 2023 Annual & Sustainability report.

The Group's operating segments have changed with effect from 1 January 2024 in order to reflect the Group's new business strategy and operating structure. The core operations comprise the Group's Nordic, Netherlands and Viaplay Select markets. The non-core operations comprise the international markets that the Group is exiting - Poland, UK and Baltics. Results for prior periods have been restated accordingly.

Note 2 – Operating Segments

The Group's reporting of two operating segments, core operations and non-core operations, is primarily based on its customers' geographical domicile. The reporting reflects the Group's operational structure and how the performance in the Group is internally monitored, reported, and followed up upon by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). The CEO is identified as the CODM of the Group.

Core operations

The core operations includes the Group's operations related to the Viaplay streaming service available in all Nordic countries and Netherlands, pay-TV channels in all Nordic countries except Iceland; commercial free-TV channels in Sweden, Denmark and Norway; and commercial radio networks and audio streaming services in Sweden and Norway. The segment also includes Viaplay select operations.

Non-core operations

The non-core operations includes the international markets the Group is exiting, Poland, Baltics and UK. Starting 1 February 2024, Viaplay's full live sports portfolio in the Baltic region has been sublicensed to a third party, with direct Viaplay subscribers in the three countries transferred during March. The UK based Premier Sports business was divested beginning of April 2024 and the North American D2C operations has been closed down during Q1 2024. Viaplay Group will exit the Polish market in summer 2025.

Reconciliation segment reporting

Core operations Non-core operations Total Group
Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
Net sales 4,292 4,282 193 309 4,485 4,591
Operating expenses before ACI and IAC -4,364 -4,200 -191 -664 -4,555 -4,864
Operating income before ACI and IAC -72 82 2 -355 -70 -273
Associated company income (ACI) 28 2
Items affecting comparability (IAC) 48 -6,279
Operating income 7 -6,551
Net financial items -104 -35
Tax -23 700
Net income -120 -5,886
Core operations Non-core operations Total Group
H1 H1 H1 H1 H1 H1
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
Net sales 8,751 8,560 490 567 9,241 9,128
Operating expenses before ACI and IAC -9,092 -8,376 -536 -1,315 -9,628 -9,691
Operating income before ACI and IAC -341 184 -46 -748 -387 -564
Associated company income (ACI) 60 12
Items affecting comparability (IAC) -140 -6,323
Operating income -467 -6,875
Net financial items 987 -72
Tax -35 774
Net income 485 -6,174

Sales by category

As a result of the new strategy the Group has introduced a new sales category - Sublicensing & other sales. This category includes sales from the Viaplay Select branded concept and other sublicensing as well as external sales generated by the Group's content production business previously reported within Linear subscription & Other. The former revenue stream production is included in Sublicensing & Other sales since operations within Viaplay Studios are divested or in the process of ceasing operation. Historic figures have been adjusted accordingly.

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Viaplay streaming subscription 2,189 2,323 4,450 4,621 9,234
Linear channel subscription 1,202 1,125 2,384 2,273 4,531
Advertising 901 857 1,735 1,729 3,552
Sublicensing & other 193 285 672 504 1,251
Total 4,485 4,591 9,241 9,128 18,567

Total 4,485 4,591 9,241 9,128 18,567

Revenue recognition
At a point in time 311 282 918 553 1,319
Over time 4,174 4,308 8,324 8,574 17,248

Note 3 – Income from associated company Allente

Allente's net sales was in line with last year. Subscribers declined in the quarter. Allente's operating income improved as an effect of lower operating expenses compared to last year and included SEK -7m (-27) of items affecting comparability. Amortisation and depreciation charges for the period included SEK 108m (107) of PPA-related charges. Viaplay Group's 50% share of Allente's net income of SEK 62m amounted to SEK 31m.

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Net sales 1,656 1,626 3,305 3,272 6,610
EBITDA before IAC 249 194 492 377 874
Depreciation and amortisation -126 -126 -254 -257 -513
Operating income before IAC 123 69 238 120 361
Items affecting comparability (IAC) -7 -27 -15 -28 -30
Operating income 116 42 223 92 331
Financial items -35 -32 -61 -55 -128
Tax -19 -1 -36 -6 -69
Net income for the period 62 9 126 31 134
Viaplay Group 50% share of net income for the period 31 5 63 15 67
Net debt 1,444 1,909 1,444 1,909 1,626
Total subscribers (thousand) 922 1,037 922 1,037 993

Note 4 – Divested operations

The divestment of Paprika Holding AB, including its direct and indirect subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe was finalised on 19 January 2024. The total purchase price amounted to approximately SEK 62m on a cash and debtfree basis and the loss for the sale amounting to SEK -1m is reported within items affecting comparability.

The divestment of the UK operations (previously Premier Sports) was completed on 4 April 2024. The total purchase price amounted to approximately SEK 64m on a cash and debt-free basis and the gain for the sale amounting to SEK 71m is reported within items affecting comparability

Note 5 – Assets held for sale

At 31 December 2023 the UK operations and Paprika Group were classified as assets held for sale.

Full
30 Jun 30 Jun year
SEKm 2024 2023 2023
Non-current assets - - 58
Accounts receivable and other receivables - - 525
Cash and cash equivalents - - 27
Assets held for sale - - 610
Interest-bearing liabilities - - -1
Accounts payable and other payables - - -446
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - - -447
Net assets - - 163

Note 6 – Changes in equity and number of shares

The directed issue, rights issue and the debt-to-equity issue approved at the extraordinary general meeting of Viaplay Group on 10 January 2024 was finalised 9 February 2024 and generated, net after transaction costs, proceeds of SEK 3,610m. Total transaction costs amounted to SEK 390m of which SEK 125m was related to the share issue and is reported within the Group's equity. The residual of the transaction costs, SEK 265m, related to the refinancing of the Group and is reported as prepaid borrowing costs and will be expensed over the maturity period of the debt financing.

The recapitalisation programme included write-down of existing debt obligations of SEK 2,000m in exchange of 0,5 billion shares. The equity value of the shares at the date the debt was extinguished totalled SEK 810m and is reported within the Group's equity and SEK 1,190m is recognised as other financial income within finance net in the Group's income statement.

Viaplay Group AB had a total of 4,579,122,244 shares at the end of the period, of which 531,536 were class A shares with 10 votes each, 4,577,701,208 were class B shares with one vote each, and 889,500 were class C shares with one vote each. Viaplay Group held 6,782 class B shares and all 889,500 class C shares as treasury shares. The total number of votes in Viaplay Group amounted to 4,583,906,068. The total number of votes in Viaplay Group excluding 6,782 class B shares and 889,500 class C shares held in treasury amounted to 4,583,009,786.

Parent company Class A
Shares
Class B
Shares
Class C
Shares
Total
Number of shares as at 31 December 2023 531,536 77,701,208 889,500 79,122,244
Share issue (directed issue, rights issue and debt-to equity
issue)
- 4,500,000,000 4,500,000,000
Number of shares at 30 June 2024 531,536 4,577,701,208 889,500 4,579,122,244
Of which treasury shares - -6,782 -889,500 -896,282
Number of shares excl treasury shares as at 30 June 2024 531,536 4,577,694,426 - 4,578,225,962

Note 7 – Provisions

Total long- and short-term provisions amounted to SEK 3,499m (2,283) of which SEK 3,166m (2,023) is related to provisions for onerous contracts, SEK 89m (72) provisions for restructuring and SEK 245m (188) are royalties and other provisions.

30 Jun 2024
Onerous Royalties
SEKm Restructuring contracts and other Total
Opening balance 1 January 2024 80 3,486 465 4,031
Provisions during the period 76 - 9 86
Used during the period -67 -424 -203 -694
Reversed during the year -1 - -8 -9
Reclassifications - - -29 -29
Unwinding discounting - 8 - 8
Translation differences - 95 11 107
Closing balance as of 30 June 2024 89 3,166 245 3,499

30 Jun 2023
SEKm Restructuring Onerous
contracts
Royalties
and other
Total
Opening balance 1 January 2023 28 - 170 198
Provisions during the period 70 2,023 98 2,192
Used during the period -25 - -69 -95
Reversed during the period -1 - -9 -10
Translation differences - - -2 -2
Closing balance as of 30 June 2023 72 2,023 188 2,283
31 Dec 2023
SEKm Restructuring Onerous
contracts
Royalties
and other
Total
Opening balance 1 January 2023 28 - 170 198
Provisions during the year 295 4,048 629 4,972
Used during the year -233 -186 -318 -737
Reversed during the year -9 - -12 -21
Revaluation during the year - -287 19 -268
Translation differences -1 -89 -23 -113
Closing balance as of 31 December 2023 80 3,486 465 4,031

Note 8 – Related party transactions

The Group has related party relationships between its subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures. All related party transactions are based on market terms and negotiated on an arm's length basis. The Paprika Holding and its subsidiaries were divested to key executives in Paprika Holding AB Group in January in accordance with the approval from the Extraordinary general meeting January 10, 2024. February 9, 2024 the Group completed a recapitalisation program, including a SEK 3.1 billion directed share issue and a SEK 0.9 billion rights issue.

Group performance data

Q3 Q4 FY Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY Q1 Q2
(SEKm) 2022 2022 2022 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2024 2024
Viaplay streaming subscription 1,732 1,976 6,466 2,040 2,014 1,987 1,956 7,998 1,964 1,996
Linear channel subscription 1,111 1,112 4,331 1,148 1,125 1,175 1,082 4,531 1,182 1,202
Advertising 845 1,081 3,808 872 857 780 1,043 3,552 834 901
Sublicensing & other 160 298 660 219 285 264 485 1,251 479 193
Core sales 3,848 4,467 15,265 4,279 4,282 4,206 4,566 17,332 4,459 4,292
Non-core sales 124 203 426 258 309 330 337 1,235 298 193
Total net sales 3,972 4,670 15,691 4,537 4,591 4,536 4,903 18,567 4,757 4,485
Core organic sales growth n.a n.a n.a 27.3% 12.6% 5.2% 1.6% 10.6% 5.6% 2.6%
Core operating income before ACI and 138 41 599 103 82 -112 16 89 -270 -72
IAC
Non-core operating income before ACI
and IAC -309 -325 -971 -394 -355 -209 -246 -1,204 -47 2
Operating income before ACI and IAC -171 -284 -372 -291 -273 -321 -230 -1,115 -317 -70
Associated company income (ACI) 71 76 275 10 2 36 15 63 32 28
Items affecting comparability (IAC) - -86 510 -44 -6,279 -253 -2,648 -9,224 -188 48
Operating income -100 -294 413 -325 -6,551 -538 -2,863 -10,276 -473 7
Net income for the period -86 -250 323 -288 -5,886 -693 -2,881 -9,747 605 -120
Basic earnings per share (SEK) -1.10 -3.19 4.13 -3.68 -75.24 -8.85 -36.83 -124.61 0.23 -0.03
Core operating margin before ACI and IAC 3.6% 0.9% 3.9% 2.4% 1.9% -2.7% 0.4% 0.5% -6.1% -1.7%
Operating margin before ACI and IAC -4.3% -6.1% -2.4% -6.4% -5.9% -7.1% -4.7% -6.0% -6.7% -1.6%
Operating margin -2.5% -6.3% 2.6% -7.2% -142.7% -11.9% -58.4% -55.3% -9.9% 0.2%
Net debt 546 1,482 1,482 2,516 2,229 3,328 4,976 4,976 549 -96
Net debt/EBITDA before IAC 1.2 8.6 8.6 -24.4 -3.9 -4.5 -6.6 -6.6 -0.7 0.2
Core subscribers ('000s) 5,302 5,876 - 6,022 4,952 5,013 4,843 - 4,850 4,710
Non-core subscribers ('000s) 1,126 1,443 - 1,621 1,679 1,651 1,659 - 1,624 1,484
Total Viaplay subscriber base ('000s) 6,428 7,318 - 7,643 6,631 6,664 6,502 - 6,475 6,194
CSOV Sweden (30-64) 22.5% 18.9% 21.9% 24.6% 19.8% 25.5% 22.4% 23.1% 23.3% 21.4%
CSOV Norway (30-69) 20.8% 22.8% 21.3% 20.3% 16.9% 17.1% 22.2% 19.4% 21.6% 15.6%
CSOV Denmark (30-60) 19.2% 21.6% 20.3% 20.2% 22.0% 20.8% 21.9% 21.2% 18.9% 20.5%
CSOL Sweden (12-79) 43.7% 43.9% 44.1% 44.7% 43.3% 44.2% 39.1% 42.8% 42.2% 42.2%
CSOL Norway (10+) 67.5% 64.7% 67.5% 66.0% 65.3% 67.3% 65.8% 66.2% 65.0% 66.0%

Alternative Performance Measures

Below follows so-called alternative performance measures, i.e., financial measures that are not defined under IFRS. Viaplay Group believes that these alternative performance measures combined with other measures that are defined in accordance with IFRS contribute to the understanding of trends related to financial performance, return on investment and indebtedness and are useful information to investors.

An alternative performance measure is defined as a financial measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows other than a financial measure defined or specified in the applicable financial reporting framework. These alternative performance measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to performance measures defined in accordance with IFRS. In addition, such measures, as defined by Viaplay Group, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

As a result of the new strategy and operational focus the measure Return on capital employed (ROCE) adjusted % is not relevant for the Group and therefore no longer reported as an alternative performance measure. The same applies to the reported and organic sales for the total Group. This measure is no longer a meaningful performance measure due to that the Group is exiting the non-core operations. This measure is still relevant for the core operations and is reported on, and reconciled below.

Viaplay Group is using the following Alternative Performance Measures:

  • Reported sales growth and organic sales growth, core operations

  • Operating income before associated company income (ACI) and items affecting comparability (IAC)

  • Operating income before IAC

  • Net debt and Net debt/EBITDA before IAC

  • Free cash flow

The following tables provide an explanation of the use and reconciliation of alternative performance measures.

Reconciliation of reported sales growth and organic sales growth, core operations

Since the core operations generates sales in currencies other than in the Group's reporting currency (SEK, Swedish Krona), and the fact that currency rates have proven to be rather volatile, and due to the fact that the Group has historically made acquisitions and divestments, the Group's sales trends and performance are analysed as changes in organic sales growth within the core operations. This presents the increase or decrease in the overall SEK net sales on a comparable basis, allowing for separate discussion of the impact of acquisitions/divestments and exchange rates.

Year on year organic sales growth for core operations, i.e. sales growth adjusted for acquisitions/divestments and changes in FX rates, amounted to 2.6% in Q2 2024.

Reported sales growth and organic sales growth, core operations

Q2 (SEKm) Reported Net sales Acquisitions/
divestments
Net sales
adjusted for
acquisitions/
divestments
Changes in
FX rates
Net sales
adjusted for
acquisitions/
divestments and
changes in FX
rates (organic
sales)
Viaplay streaming subscription sales
2024 1,996 - 1,996 -6 1,990
2023 2,014 - 2,014 - 2,014
Growth -18 -18 -24
Growth % -0.9% -0.9% -1.2%
Linear channel subscription sales
2024 1,202 - 1,202 -2 1,200
2023 1,125 - 1,125 - 1,125
Growth 77 77 75
Growth % 6.8% 6.8% 6.6%
Advertising sales
2024 901 - 901 -4 897
2023 857 - 857 - 857
Growth 44 44 40
Growth % 5.1%
5.1% 4.6%
Sublicensing & other
2024 193 - 193 3 196
2023 285 - 109 176 - 176
Growth -92 17 20
Growth % -32.2% 9.7% 11.1%
Total, Core operations
2024 4,292 - 4,292 -10 4,282
2023 4,282 - 109 4,173 - 4,173
Growth, Core operations 10 119 109
Growth % 0.2% 2.9% 2.6%

H1 (SEKm) Reported Net
sales
Acquisitions/
divestments
Net sales adjusted
for acquisitions/
divestments
Changes in
FX rates
Net Sales adjusted
for acquisitions/
divestments and
changes in FX
rates (organic
sales)
Viaplay streaming subscription sales
2024 3,960 - 3,960 -4 3,956
2023 4,054 - 4,054 - 4,054
Growth -94 -94 -98
Growth % -2.3% -2.3% -2.4%
Linear channel subscription sales
2024 2,384 - 2,384 -2 2,382
2023 2,273 - 2,273 - 2,273
Growth 111 111 109
Growth % 4.9% 4.9% 4.8%
Advertising sales
2024 1,735 - 1,735 3 1,738
2023 1,729 - 1,729 - 1,729
Growth 6 6 9
Growth % 0.3% 0.3% 0.5%
Sublicensing & other
2024 672 - 672 3 675
2023 504 - 155 349 - 349
Growth 168 323 326
Growth % 33.3% 92.6% 93.4%
Total, Core operations
2024 8,751 - 8,751 0 8,751
2023 8,560 - 155 8,405 - 8,405
Growth, Core
operations
191 346 346
Growth % 2.2% 4.1% 4.1%

Reconciliation of operating income before associated company income (ACI) and items affecting comparability (IAC)

Operating income before associated company income (ACI) and items affecting comparability (IAC) refers to operating income after the reversal of the Group's share of associated company's and joint ventures net income and reversal of material items and events related to changes in the Group's structure or lines of business, which are relevant for understanding the Group's development on a like-for-like basis. This measure is used by management to follow and analyse the underlying profits, and to offer more comparable figures between periods.

Operating income before associated company income (ACI) and items affecting comparability (IAC)

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Operating income 7 -6,551 -467 -6,875 -10,276
Items affecting comparability (IAC) (-) 48 -6,279 -140 -6,323 -9,224
Operating income before IAC -41 -272 -327 -552 -1,052
Associated company income (ACI) (-) 28 2 60 12 63
Operating income before ACI and IAC -70 -273 -387 -564 -1,115

Items affecting comparability

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Exit markets - sports content (International) - -540 - -540 -2,650
Write-down and provision - non sports content
(International)
- -1,568 - -1,568 -1,484
Impairment of goodwill & other assets (International) - -484 - -484 -641
Write-down and provision - non sports content (Nordics) - -2,072 - -2,072 -2,268
Write-down and provision - sports content (Nordics) - -1,570 - -1,570 -1,855
Restructuring and redundancy costs -76 -45 -76 -78 -300
Acquisition and divestments 71 - 70 -3 -3
Advisory costs and recapitalisation costs - - -39 -8 -23
Unrealised currency translation effects (Provisions) 53 - -95 - -
Total 48 -6,279 -140 -6,323 -9,224

Items affecting comparability classified by function

Full
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Cost of sales 2 -5,751 2 -5,756 -8,302
Administrative expenses (+) -82 -45 -121 -81 -299
Other operating income and expenses (+) 129 -484 -21 -486 -623
Total 48 -6,279 -140 -6,323 -9,224

Reconciliation of net debt/EBITDA before IAC ratio

Net debt is used by Group management to track the indebtedness of the Group and to analyse the leverage and refinancing needs of the Group. The net debt to EBITDA before IAC ratio provides a KPI for net debt in relation to underlying cash profits generated by the business, i.e. an indication of a business' ability to pay its debts. This measure is commonly used by financial institutions to rate creditworthiness. Prepaid borrowing expenses recognised in connection to the recapitalisation February 9, 2024 is reported within net debt.

Net debt

30 Sep 31 Dec 31 Mar 30 jun 30 sep 31 dec 31 Mar 30 Jun
(SEKm) 2022 2022 2023 2023 2023 2023 2024 2024
Short-term borrowings 150 650 950 997 2,200 4,700 - -
Long-term borrowings (+) 3,250 3,250 3,250 2,550 2,550 2,550 1,863 1,8701)
Total financial borrowings 3,400 3,900 4,200 3,547 4,750 7,250 1,863 1,870
Interest bearing receivables (-) 20 20 20 20 20 - - -
Prepaid borrowing expense (-) - - - - - - 255 246
Short-term investments (-) 100 - - - - - - -
Cash and cash equivalents (-) 3,065 2,775 2,007 1,648 1,724 2,542 1,287 1,996
Cash and cash equivalents included in
assets held for sale (-)
- - - - - 27 48 -
Financial net debt 215 1,105 2,173 1,879 3,006 4,681 273 -372
Lease liabilities (+) 479 513 483 483 453 401 393 376
Lease liabilities included in liabilities
related to assets held for sale (+)
- - - - - 4 - -
Sublease receivables (-) 148 136 140 133 131 110 117 100
Total lease liabilities net 331 377 343 350 322 295 276 276
Net debt 546 1,482 2,516 2,229 3,328 4,976 549 -96

Net debt/EBITDA before IAC

Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2
(SEKm) 2022 2022 2023 2023 2023 2023 2024 2024
Operating income before IAC, continuing
operations
181 -97 -384 -860 -1,045 -1,051 -1,056 -826
Depreciation and amortisation continuing
operations2)
292 270 281 291 301 301 279 254
EBITDA before IAC 12 months trailing 473 173 -103 -569 -744 -750 -777 -572
Net debt 546 1,482 2,516 2,229 3,328 4,976 549 -96
Total net debt / EBITDA before IAC 1.2 8.6 -24.4 -3.9 -4.5 -6.6 -0.7 0.2

1) includes SEK 1,858m of borrowings and accrued interest expense of SEK 12m to be settled at maturity date.

2) Refers to non-current assets only.

Reconciliation of free cashflow

Free cash flow refers to the sum of cash flow from operating activities and cash flow from investing activities excluding the acquisitions and divestments of operations. The measure is used to follow and analyse cash flow for the total group. The measure is also an important measure to follow up the non-core cashflow.

Free cashflow

Total Group
Q2 Q2 H1 H1 Full year
(SEKm) 2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
Cash flow from operating activities 614 308 -907 -670 -3,348
Capital expenditures in tangible and intangible assets -13 -46 -24 -104 -159
Other cash flow from investing activities 5 1 7 5 17
Group Free cash flow 606 263 -924 -769 -3,490

Free cash flow for non-core operations amounted to SEK 1m for Q2 2024 and SEK -375m for H1 2024. Core operations free cash flow, including capital expenditures in tangible and intangible assets and other cash flow from investing activities of SEK -8m, amounted to SEK 605m for Q2 2024. Core operations free cash flow, including capital expenditures in tangible and intangible assets and other cash flow from investing activities of SEK -17m, amounted to SEK -549m for H1 2024.

Definitions

Associated company income (ACI)

Associated company income is the Group's share of the associated company's and joint ventures net income. Associated companies (excluding joint ventures) are companies in which the Group holds voting rights of at least 20% and no more than 50%. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement.

Commercial Share of Listening (CSOL)

CSOL comprises Viaplay Group's estimated share of commercial radio listening amongst 10+ year olds in Norway and 12-79 year olds in Sweden.

Commercial Share of Viewing (CSOV)

CSOV comprises Viaplay Group's estimated share of commercial TV viewing, including 3-party channels we represent, amongst 30- 64 year olds in Sweden, 30-69 year olds in Norway and 30-60 year olds in Denmark.

EBITDA

EBITDA comprises net income before net financial items, taxes, depreciation and amortisation.

EBITDA before IAC EBITDA after reversal of items affecting comparability.

EBITDA before ACI and IAC

EBITDA after reversal of associated company income and Items affecting comparability.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow refers to the sum of cash flow from operating activities and cash flow from investing activities excluding the acquisitions and divestments of operations.

Items Affecting Comparability (IAC)

Items Affecting Comparability refer to material items and events related to changes in the Group's structure or lines of business, which are relevant for understanding the Group's development on a like-for-like basis.

Net debt

Financial net debt is the sum of short and long-term borrowings and dividends payable reduced by total cash and cash equivalent, prepaid borrowing expenses, short-term investments, interest-bearing receivables and dividend receivable. Net debt also includes lease liabilities net of sublease receivables. A negative figure indicates that the Group has a net cash position.

Net debt/EBITDA before IAC

Net debt in relation to EBITDA before IAC for the last 12 months.

Operating income

Operating income comprises net income before net financial items and taxes, otherwise known as EBIT (reads Earnings Before Interest and Taxes).

Operating income before IAC

Operating income after reversal of items affecting comparability.

Operating income before ACI and IAC

Operating income after reversal of associated company income and items affecting comparability.

Operating margin

Operating income as a percentage of net sales.

Operating margin before ACI and IAC

Operating income before ACI and IAC as a percentage of net sales.

Organic sales growth

Organic sales growth is the change in net sales compared to the same period of the previous year excluding acquisitions and divestments and adjusted for currency translation and transaction effects.

Reported sales growth

Change in net sales compared to the same period of the previous year in percentage.

Viaplay subscribers

A Viaplay subscriber is defined as a customer who has access to Viaplay and for whom a method of payment has been provided. Viaplay Group only reports paid-for subscriptions where a payment has been received directly from the end-customer or from a partner organisation.

Shareholder information

Financial calendar

Publication of Q3 Interim report 22 October 2024

Contact

[email protected] or +46 73 699 17 00 [email protected] or +44 7768 440 414

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Conference call

A conference call will take place today, Thursday 18 July at 09.00 Stockholm local time, 08.00 London local time and 03.00 New York local time.

The conference call can be accessed online at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/psbs9qxr

Or, register for the conference call at

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI6b0a74398744458f987f0e379170aa30

Viaplay Group Ringvägen 52, PO Box 17104 104 62 Stockholm, Sweden viaplaygroup.com @viaplaygroup

This information is information that Viaplay Group AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:30 CET on 18 July 2024.

Viaplay Group AB (publ) is the Nordic region's leading entertainment provider. Our Viaplay streaming service is available in every Nordic country, as well as in the Netherlands and Poland, and our Viaplay Select branded content concept has been added to partner platforms around the world. We also operate TV channels across most of our markets, as well as radio stations in Norway and Sweden. Our talented people come to work every day with a shared passion and clear mission to entertain millions of people with our unique offering of locally relevant storytelling, which spans premium live sports, films, series and music. Our purpose is to grow our business profitably and responsibly, and deliver sustainable value for all our stakeholders. Viaplay Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (`VPLAY B').

This interim report contains statements concerning, among other things, Viaplay Group's financial condition and results of operations that are forward-looking in nature. Such statements are not historical facts but, rather, represent Viaplay Group's future expectations. Viaplay Group believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions; however, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of important factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such important factors include but may not be limited to Viaplay Group's market position; growth in the streaming industry; and the effects of competition and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting the business of Viaplay Group, its group companies and the streaming industry in general. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date they were made and, other than as required by applicable law, Viaplay Group undertakes no obligation to update any of them in the light of new information or future events.

Viaplay Group UK www.viaplaygroup.com @viaplaygroup +44 (0)20 8742 5100 Company no: 2228654

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