Swedish government proposes ban on illegal IPTV

NEWSLETTER

1 October 2025

 

Welcome back to another edition of Mediavision’s newsletter. Here are the main topics in this week’s newsletter:

 

  • Join Mediavision’s Webinar on the Nordic TV & Streaming market
  • Swedish government proposes ban on illegal IPTV
  • OpenAI launches social media for AI-generated videos
  • Trump renews tariff threats on foreign-made films

 

 

Spotify’s Daniel Ek steps down as CEO

 

Bonnier News acquires Danish Zetland

 

Spotify introduces new AI policy

 

NWT Media changes name to Erna Media

PIRACY

Swedish government proposes ban on illegal IPTV

 

Sweden’s government-appointed investigator Eva Bergquist has proposed a legal reform that would make it explicitly illegal for private individuals to use illegal IPTV services. The proposal, published in SvD Debatt, argues that it is “almost impossible” to stop piracy at the source, so the law must target consumption, which is currently considered a legal grey area.

 

Bergquist, together with Secretary Jakob Kihlberg, writes that “it must be clear that it is punishable for individuals to use the kind of illegal IPTV services that are common on the market today.” The investigators also suggest giving the Police and Swedish Tax Agency stronger mandates to prioritize such cases, while the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) and the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) should receive specific assignments in the area.

 

The report further recommends removing illegal IPTV links from search results and exploring options for live blocking illegal streams during ongoing events, a practice already used in several European countries.

 

Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed welcomes the proposal, saying that both elite and grassroots sports lose significant revenues due to piracy and that law-abiding citizens face higher subscription costs as a result. Following publication of the proposal, Viaplay’s share rose about 4% in early Tuesday trading.

 

For more insights on illegal IPTV usage and its impact across the Nordics, see Mediavision’s analysis Nordic Piracy.

 

 

Instagram now has three billion monthly active users 

 

Netflix lands rights to MLB Opening Day and Home Run Derby

 

Threads is on track to exceed X in active usage

 

Netflix announces The Case, a new Swedish crime series

SOCIAL MEDIA

OpenAI launches social media for AI-generated videos

 

OpenAI is entering the social media market with a new app called Sora. The app allows users to create and share videos featuring themselves – all with the help of artificial intelligence, Mediawatch writes.

 

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman calls Sora a platform that makes it easy to turn ideas into finished videos, where new social dynamics can emerge. He writes on X: “For many of us, it feels like a new ChatGPT for creativity—it’s fun and new.”

 

 

One standout feature is the ability to create realistic AI videos of yourself and place your likeness in different digital settings. To prevent public figures from being misused, the app requires special verification, including moving your head in different directions so the system can confirm your identity.

 

The app also lets rights holders, such as TV and film producers, block their content from appearing in Sora. According to Reuters, Disney has already chosen to do so.

 

A launch date for Sora has not yet been announced. The app will offer both video streaming control and parental controls for users.

 

PRODUCTION

Trump renews tariff threats on foreign-made films

 

The US government plans to introduce a 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States. The proposal, part of a broader push to strengthen domestic production, would apply to all movies made abroad but distributed in the US.

 

The administration argues that the tariff would protect American jobs and encourage local filmmaking. Critics, however, warn that the measure could violate international trade agreements and severely disrupt the global film industry, where US studios often rely on international partners, financing and locations.

 

Industry observers describe the plan as both unprecedented and highly controversial, noting that major studios would face increased costs and logistical challenges if the proposal moves forward.

Mediavision in the News

Norske ungdommer bruker mest tid på SoMe i Norden – KOM24

 

High AI use in the Nordic media industry – Broadband TV News

 

Sweden: SVoD subs at record levels – Advanced Television

 

Svenskar strömmar mest reklamvideo i Norden – Dagens Nyheter 

 

Report: Ad-funded content now half of Swedes’ online viewing – Advanced Television

 

Spotifys nya plan kan förändra bokmarknaden – Svenska Dagbladet

 

Social video slår rekord – nu ökar pressen på de lokala aktörerna – Dagens Media

 

Report: Social video consumption soars in Nordics – Advanced Television

 

Spotifys popularitet kan tränga ut ljudbokstjänsterna – Svensk Bokhandel

 

Abonnementer med reklamer buldrer frem på dansk streamingmarked – Mediawatch

 

Danish streaming market tops 5 million – Broadband TV News

 

Nordmenn kjøper flest strømme-abonnement i Norden – Kampanje