HBO Nordic, Viaplay and Pinewood Television explained their strategies on Wednesday at Göteborg’s 11th TV Drama Vision.

Hanne Palmquist, recently appointed Commissioner Editor & VP Original Programming at HBO Nordic outlined the US streaming group’s selective and highly curated commissioning strategy. “We want to commission 2-3 original dramas per year, predominantly in the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian languages, said Palmquist.

“We are flexible in terms of format, looking at web episodes as well, and content should determine the format, not the other way around.”

In terms of types of content, Palmquist said she is looking for authenticity, projects that are bold, brave, passionate, expressing an author’s unique point of view. So far, several drama projects have been identified and the first greenlights will be announced this summer according to Palmquist

Contrary to HBO’s careful and auteur-driven approach, Viaplay is moving fast and commissioning large volumes, across all genres, with the ambition to become number one in original Nordic TV drama production by 2020, according to Programme Director Fredrik Ljungberg. “Although HBO and Viaplay are both SVOD services, seeking content in all areas, from children, sports, comedy to drama, we’re totally different beasts", said Ljungberg, who acknowledged that his group’s expansion in TV drama had gone ‘faster than anticipated’ since 2014.

Combining full financing with co-productions, Viaplay has commissioned four Originals in 2016, 7-8 dramas will be delivered in 2017 and as many as 47 projects are in development.  

The other new player Pinewood Television, headed by well-known Swedish industry executive Christian Wikander said the UK group is keen to invest in high end drama, whatever the language and the genre, as long as they have an international potential. Money is not an issue for the Director or Co-productions who is able to bring up to 40% of a budget. The key for Wikander is to identify compelling content in a crowded market.

Asked by moderator Andrea Reuter to comment on the highly competitive market, the panellists felt positive, and stressed the greater opportunities now available to creators. “Competition drives job opportunities and allows us to nurture new talents,” asserted Hanne Palmquist.

Anne Thomopoulos, former senior VP at HBO and now independent producer at Ithika Entertainment added: We have infinite possibilities today with the variety of players on the market and now is the best moment for experimentation.” “Great stories simply rule the day, whatever the format. We will continue to push and recognize exciting stories and get new players involved to be courageous. “

Check our in-depth interviews with Christian Wikander and Viaplay CEO Jonas Karlén.