Telia Company has announced the sale of its TV and media interests, including prominent channels like Sweden's TV4 and Finland's MTV, to Schibsted Media. The Oslo-based media company will acquire the business for a substantial SEK 6.55 billion. This follows Telia's acquisition of these broadcasting assets from Bonnier Broadcasting in 2019 for SEK 9.2 billion, showcasing a strategic repositioning within the industry. Similar to other telecommunications giants like AT&T and BT, Telia is refocusing on its core competency: connectivity.
As part of a long-term partnership, Telia will continue to distribute the content of TV4 and MTV through its existing consumer TV offerings. Patrik Hofbauer, Telia Company President and CEO, explained the rationale behind the sale: “Our priority is to focus on what Telia does best – providing world-class connectivity on which millions of people rely every day – and this agreement clearly reflects that. We have an opportunity to secure a new home for TV & Media with a strategic long-term Nordic owner that can further develop the business while maintaining its editorial independence.”
The transaction is expected to be finalized by the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Siv Juvik Tveitnes, Schibsted Media CEO, highlighted the significance of this acquisition for her company: “Since Aftonbladet became part of Schibsted in 1996, we have been dedicated to Sweden, making this a truly historic day for us. As competition with global tech giants intensifies, building complete and nationally rooted media positions with scale and investment capacity is more important than ever to safeguard editorial independence. This agreement marks a significant step towards forming a leading Nordic media destination.”
Schibsted's acquisition encompasses TV4's advertising-funded and pay-TV channels, the TV4 Play streaming platform, and digital properties like Fotbollskanalen and Köket. In Finland, the deal includes MTV's advertising-funded and pay-TV channels, and the MTV Katsomo streaming service. The combined TV & Media operation employs roughly 1,200 people across Sweden and Finland.