RTL Group is building an impressive lineup of online video properties. The Luxembourg-based media company has acquired United Screens, a leading digital network in the Nordic region, for a reported price of €12.4 million ($14.9 million).
United Screens, based in Stockholm, works with some of the biggest online video stars in Scandinavia and beyond. Its partners gamer Sp4zie and vlogger Therese Lindgren, as well as musicians like PelleK and notable DJ Alan Walker. Walker (pictured above) is one of the network’s most recent signees; he agreed to a deal with United Screens back in November 2017.
RTL’s acquisition of United Screens will give it access to an audience that contributes more than 500 million video views per month on YouTube alone. In order to foster United Screens’ continued success, RTL will also contribute an investment of 25 million Swedish kronor ($3 million).
Beyond United Screens, RTL also owns several other digital networks. It picked up a controlling stake in BroadbandTV in 2013 and did the same with StyleHaul a year later. Its subsidiary FremantleMedia acquired Berlin-based Divimove in 2015.
“This acquisition is another step in accelerating our ‘Total Video’ strategy, as United Screens strengthens our MPN presence in Europe,” said RTL Group CEO Bert Habets. “RTL Group is the only European company to offer advertisers pan-European digital video campaigns in premium and brand-safe environments.”
United Screens CEO Malte Andreasson will retain his role after the RTL acquisition.
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