HBO is to delay the launch of its streaming service in the Nordic region, allowing rivals including Netflix and the new Filmnet to gain ground.
“The launch of the HBO Nordic network and streaming service is highly anticipated and will be deserving of HBO’s high-quality reputation,” said HBO Nordic chief executive Hervé Payan in a statement issued to Reuters. “Slightly pushing back the launch is not tied to one specific reason but simply our desire to meet all expectations. This has been communicated directly to those awaiting HBO Nordic and we have gotten nothing less than an enthusiastic response.”
HBO Nordic, which is operationally separate from the US paycaster’s Central European and Dutch operations, was slated to launch in mid-October across four Scandinavian countries Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
In addition to its online service, HBO Nordic has also signed a distribution agreement with the TeliaSonera IPTV platform.
Netflix launched in the region at the beginning of the month, while Bonnier’s Filmnet has been present for the past 3 weeks.
