HBO versus Netflix: The Thriller in the Chiller
Summary
Just a year ago, the Nordic region (including Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway) could rightly have been described as dull from the point of view of over-the-top (OTT) video services. Yes, short-clip video from websites such as YouTube, along with various local news sites, were popular, but no significant OTT movie or TV sites were available, much less major “TV Everywhere” (TVE) deployments.
Today, the Nordic region is a hotbed of activity, with major international names set to battle for the Nordic viewer; many armed with US content, OTT technology expertise, and aggressive pricing models.
This report reviews three Nordic region providers – Netflix, HBO & YouSee. The report looks at the Content Mix, Connected Devices, and Prices and Models for each.
Table of Contents
Introducing Nordic OTT
The Content Mix
HBO: A Premium Experience
Netflix Mixes It Up
YouSee Plays to its Strengths
Connected Devices
Netflix Everywhere
HBO: Where Netflix Goes, So Goes HBO
YouSee Seeks Control
Prices and Models
HBO Makes Subscription Difficult
Netflix Sets the Bar
YouSee Tries Two Approaches
Comparing the Three Services: Content versus Barriers to Adoption
Conclusion
Endnotes
