Modern Times Group (MTG) is a digital entertainment company based inStockholm,Sweden. It formed from the media holdings of investment companyKinnevik, which in 1997 was distributed to the company stockholders. It is a strategic and operational investment holding company, managing a portfolio including gaming companiesInnoGames andNinja Kiwi, and digital network companyZoomin.TV.
Kinnevik distributed the MTG shares to its shareholders in 2018[2] and in 2019 MTG distributed shares in the newly foundedNordic Entertainment Group (now Viaplay Group) to its shareholders following the strategic transformation into a global digital entertainment company.[3]
Since July 2015, MTG's digital presence was expanded through a number of acquisitions. In 2015 MTG bought 74% of the shares inTurtle Entertainment, a top-tier esports tournament operator, owning brands such asElectronic Sports League (ESL). MTG then acquired 51% of the shares inZoomin.TV, Europe's largest MCN and the 5th largest network on YouTube. Later the same year MTG made the acquisition of 100% ofDreamHack, one of the biggest esports tournament organisers in the world. In 2016 and 2017 MTG continued its journey by acquiring 35% of a leading German games developing companyInnoGames and U.S. based games publishing companyKongregate. Since the start of its investment operations, MTG has made further share acquisitions in the before-mentioned companies.
In 1987,TV3 launches inSweden on New Year's Eve becoming the first commercial channel inScandinavia. In 1988 the channel started broadcasting toNorway andDenmark. The number of viewers increases from 1.2 million at launch to 3.4 million at the end of 1988.
Launch ofViasat+, an analogue low-pay satellite package broadcast from the NSAB satellite consisting of MTG's own television channels as well asNickelodeon,VH1 andSci-Fi Channel.
Shares in MTG distributed to Kinnevik shareholders and listed on Stockholm Börsinformation and Nasdaq National Market in New York. Second Metro edition published in Prague.
Strix becomes the first company in the world to produce the Survivor reality TV format.
May: Viasat becomes first European satellite TV broadcaster to switch off analog transmission of premium pay-TV channels following a successful transition to digital TV.
TV3 awarded national terrestrial broadcasting license in Latvia.
Digital home-shopping channel PIN24 launched in Denmark.
MTG acquires 75% of Russian national commercial TV channel.
Options to Strix reality TV formats sold in over 30 countries to date.
Viasat launches four new digital pay-TV channels in the Nordic region.
EUR 120 million convertible subordinated bonds issued to fund further expansion.
Number of Viasat digital DTH subscribers increases to over 550,000 by year-end.
Viasat successfully completes implementation of a new conditional access system.
Highest net subscriber intake since digitalisation of platform in 2000.
Viasat's four channels reach 6.4 million homes in Central and Eastern Europe.
MTG acquires remaining minority interests in DTV and increases its shareholding in CTC Media and Radio Hele Norge following the sale ofSDI Media for US$60 million.
MTG acquires 19.9% of betting company BET24.
MTG also signs agreement with NRJ Group to assume management of 20 radio stations in Sweden (and 5 in Norway), thereby increasing penetration for MTG's national network to 83%.
MTG sells its 15.1 percent interest inTV4 AB in January 2005. In March,CTC Media launches theDomashny television network in Russia.
In July 2005, Modern Entertainment Ltd., its film rights unit in Los Angeles, agreed to sell 332 films toLionsgate Films and shut down its operations to focus on European operations.[4]
TheDiema Media Group andMM, previously a joint-venture between MTG andApace Media, are merged withNova television to create the Nova Broadcasting Group.
October: MTG sold Russian & international pay-TV channels (factual, movie and sports channels in Russia. TV1000 and pan-regional factual channels in international) to Baring Vostok Company in international and LLC Sinerdzhi in Russia.[12][13][14]
November: MTG acquires Swedish esports tournamentDreamHack[15]
December: MTG and minoritaries sold 75% CTC Media to ″UTH Holding″ in Russia.
March: MTG sold Ukrainian pay-TV companyViasat Ukraine to1+1 Media Group.[16] In Latvia, Russian-language channelTV5 closed down.
May: MTG took a 22 per cent stake in Engage Sports Media (ESM). ESM described the deal as a ‘strategically important investment’ that will allow ESM to accelerate its growth and focuses on content IP development, technical tools and adding new talent across the business. Arnd Benninghoff, CEO of MTGx said “this investment reflects our focus on becoming the leading digital video entertainment company in each of our markets, and our strategy to invest in relevant, complementary and scalable digital brands, content and communities.”
August: For the Nordic Market, Viasat launches Scandinavia's first UHD Channel to deliver select Rio 2016 OL programs (and future UHD Sports Broadcasts) as well as a new HD Sports Channel branded "Viasat Sport Premium.",[17][18]
October: MTG acquires 35% in German games developerInnogames
December: MTG sold African business (Viasat 1 (Ghana), TV1 (Tanzania) and Modern African Production (MAP)) toEconet Media Group.[19]
December: MTG secured the exclusive Nordic media rights to the five-a-side-football variant Futsal's biggest European tournament,UEFA Futsal Euro 2018.[32]
December: MTG launched a $30 million gaming investment fund.[33]
January: MTG sold TRACE Media Group to TPG Growth.[34] In May 2018, the transaction was completed.[35]
February: MTG business in Scandinavia (MTG Nordic Entertainment and MTG Studios) combination withTDC Group proposed.[36] MTG sold Nova Broadcasting Group in Bulgaria to PPF Group.[37]
March: Board of Directors ofTDC Group withdraws its recommendation of combination with MTG Nordics.[36] Modern Times Group (MTG) will split into two companies:Nordic Entertainment Group[38] (MTG Nordic Entertainment, MTG Studios and Splay Networks) and new MTG company (MTGx).[39]
May: MTG increased the share in Zoom.in Group B.V. (Zoomin.TV) from 51% to 100%.[40]
In March 2021, MTG acquiredNinja Kiwi,[43][44] allowing them to expand their business into the tower defense genre.[45]
In July 2021, MTG acquired 100% of the shares of PlaySimple,[46] expanding MTG's business into the casual games and word games genres.[46]
In January 2022, MTG soldESL to Saudi Arabia'sPublic Investment Fund Savvy Gaming Group (SGG). SGG also acquiredFACEIT, and will merge the two esports companies to form the ESL FaceIt Group. The acquisition is set to close in Q2 2022.[47]
SEK 3.997 Billion (Fiscal Year Ended 31 December 2020)[1]
SEK 0.035 Billion (Fiscal Year Ended 31 December 2020)[1]
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