What Viasat World does

Viasat World Limited is an independent international entertainment company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, founded in 2003 as part of Modern Times Group and operating independently since October 2015. The company aggregates, curates and distributes 27 pay-TV television channels across more than 50 countries and territories spanning Central and Eastern Europe, the Nordics, the Baltics, Russia and the CIS, Turkey, Africa, Israel and the United States, reaching over 100 million subscriptions through carriage deals with 60-plus operator partners including CANAL+, United Group, Cyfrowy Polsat, UPC, Vivacom, Volia, Vodafone and T-Mobile. Its channel portfolio spans four content pillars: factual entertainment (Viasat History, Viasat Explore, Viasat Nature), premium scripted drama (Viasat Epic Drama, Viasat True Crime), film (Viasat Kino, Viasat Kino World, Viasat Kino Action, Viasat Kino Comedy) and SVOD extensions. The newest channel, Viasat True Crime, launched in Poland in May 2024 and has been progressively rolled out across additional CEE markets through 2024–2025.

The company's core technology is described as a Pay-TV channel aggregation and SVOD content delivery platform distributed via cable (DVB-C), IPTV, DTH satellite and operator OTT platforms; no proprietary algorithmic or AI-based components are disclosed. Revenue is generated through B2B carriage agreements with Pay-TV operators — a subscription-recurring model — supplemented by SVOD offerings bundled alongside linear channels for multi-platform viewing. The go-to-market is channel-partner-led, with a sales team managing relationships with tier-1 operators across multiple regions; the company has executed co-marketing initiatives, premiere events and joint promotional campaigns with key partners. Content is licensed from global distributors including ITV Studios, ViacomCBS Global Distribution, ZDF Enterprises, all3media, Banijay Rights, Beyond Rights and Sonar Entertainment, with one co-production venture ("How Hacks Work," 2017) and a £6.7 million strategic investment in performing-arts SVOD service Marquee TV in November 2021.

Viasat World's strategic positioning is that of a focused, mid-sized independent channel operator with strong regional concentration in CEE and surrounding markets, differentiated by genre-specialized channel brands rather than scale or technology. The company has invested in brand and creative marketing, evidenced by multiple PromaxBDA, Clio, Mediabrand and Eyes & Ears awards between 2016 and 2019. It is privately held with no disclosed venture capital or private equity backing; Irina Gofman is the founder/director and indirect beneficiary, while Benjamin Groocock serves as CEO and Tallulah Smith as CFO. The operating model is asset-light: a small staff of 27–100 employees based at the London headquarters (representing more than 20 nationalities) manages channel programming, content acquisition and partner relations, with distribution executed through operator infrastructure rather than owned networks.

Name

Viasat World

Legal name

Viasat World Limited

Website

https://viasatworld.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Viasat World is an independent London-based entertainment company that aggregates, curates and distributes 27 pay-TV channels across 50+ countries, reaching 100M+ subscriptions through carriage deals with Pay-TV operators in CEE, Nordics, Baltics, Africa and Russia/CIS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Pay-TV Channel Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

International Broadcast Networks (Operating Domestic Feeds) (MPABAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

International/Multilingual Cable Networks (MPABAFAL), International TV Broadcasters (Free-to-Air/Satellite/Cable) (MPABAEAJ), Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH)

Keywords

• Pay-TV channel distribution
• International content broadcasting
• Subscription video on demand
• Factual entertainment channels
• Scripted drama broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Pay-TV Channel Distribution: Revenue generated from carriage deals with Pay-TV operators. Viasat World channels are distributed through operator platforms, with subscribers paying for access as part of subscription packages.
2. SVOD Services: Subscription video-on-demand services bundled with linear channels, allowing viewers to watch content on multiple platforms and devices.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Viasat World creates, curates, and distributes a portfolio of 27 pay-TV channels and SVOD services spanning factual entertainment (Viasat History, Viasat Explore, Viasat Nature), premium scripted drama (Viasat Epic Drama, Viasat True Crime), and movie brands (Viasat Kino, Viasat Kino World, Viasat Kino Action, Viasat Kino Comedy). Channels are delivered to end viewers via carriage deals with Pay-TV operators across cable, IPTV, DTH satellite, and OTT platforms in 50+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Viasat History: Factual entertainment channel with a modern look at history, well-researched programmes featuring European history, great civilisations, military history, and mysteries.
• Viasat Explore
• Viasat Nature
• Viasat Epic Drama
• Viasat True Crime
• Viasat Kino
• Viasat Kino World
• Viasat Kino Action
• Viasat Kino Comedy

Products and services

• Viasat History Factual entertainment pay-TV channel featuring European history documentaries on great civilizations, military history, and historical mysteries, distributed via Pay-TV operators across multiple territories.
• Viasat Explore Factual entertainment pay-TV channel covering scientific breakthroughs, unusual stories, and engaging characters doing things differently, distributed via Pay-TV operators across CEE, Africa, and other markets.
• Viasat Nature Nature pay-TV channel featuring blue-chip natural history series, environmental programming, and educational content with leading presenters, distributed via Pay-TV operators globally.
• Viasat Epic Drama Premium scripted drama pay-TV channel celebrating lavish international drama series from around the globe, including period drama, crime, mystery, and historical epics, with SVOD proposition and 600+ hours of content. Launched in 2017 across 11 CEE markets and reached 10 million subscribers within 6 months.
• Viasat True Crime Crime-themed pay-TV channel dedicated to true crime documentaries, crime-fighting reality shows, and true crime drama series, distributed via Pay-TV operators across Poland, CEE, and the Baltics. Reached 2.3 million viewers in first 2.5 months after Polish launch.
• Viasat Kino Movie pay-TV channel featuring contemporary and timeless stories, award-winning films, iconic blockbusters, and the biggest Hollywood stars, distributed via Pay-TV operators across multiple markets.
• Viasat Kino World Movie pay-TV channel featuring global cinema, from modern film festival classics to comedies, thrillers, and sci-fi, distributed via Pay-TV operators across multiple territories.
• Viasat Kino Action Movie pay-TV channel focusing on crime, fantasy, adventure, horror, and thriller genres featuring big action movies and stars, distributed via Pay-TV operators across multiple territories.
• Viasat Kino Comedy Movie pay-TV channel featuring international comedies and top comedy names spanning classic to contemporary films, distributed via Pay-TV operators across multiple territories.
• SVOD Services Subscription video-on-demand services bundled with linear channels, allowing viewers to watch Viasat World content on multiple platforms and devices across Russia & CIS, Poland, and other markets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Epic Drama reached over 10 million subscribers across 16 markets within first 6 months of launch
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Melita TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 March 2026Viasat World partnered with Melita TV to enter the Maltese market. Five Viasat World channels (Viasat History, Viasat Explore, Viasat Nature, Epic Drama, Viasat True Crime) are now available within Melita's L package.
• United GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 April 2025Viasat True Crime launched on all United Group platforms across six countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece). Viasat World has long-standing relationship with United Group for broadcasting flagship channels on all platforms.
• Vodafone (Czechia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2024Viasat True Crime included with Epic Drama in Family and AllinOne packages through Vodafone Czech Republic.
• T-Mobile Czech RepubliccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2024T-Mobile Czech Republic includes Viasat True Crime in MAGENTA TV L and XL packages.
• Slovak TelekomcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2024Slovak Telekom includes Viasat True Crime in Magio TV Voľný čas package together with Epic Drama.
• Swan (Slovakia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2024Swan a.s. distributes Viasat True Crime in Slovakia.
• T-2 SloveniacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2024T-2 Slovenia includes Viasat True Crime in extended basic tier package.
• CANAL+ (Poland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 May 2024CANAL+ served as primary broadcaster and technical partner for Viasat True Crime launch in Poland. Channel positioned at 219 on CANAL+ platform, available in Relax+ and higher packages.
• ZDF EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 202118 titles (49 hours) of factual content for Viasat History and Viasat Nature including Ancient Apocalypse, Ancient Superstructures, Crime Scene Antiquity across Baltics, Scandinavia, CEE and Russia & CIS.
• Beyond RightscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 202172 hours of premium factual content including Bangers & Cash S3, Massive Engineering Mistakes S3, Heavy Rescue: 401 for Viasat Explore, History, and Nature channels across CEE, Nordics, Russia & CIS.
• ViacomCBS Global Distribution GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2021Movie deal bringing 76 Paramount Pictures titles (154 hours) to TV1000 channel in Balkans region including Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia.
• Volia (Ukraine)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 January 2021Volia, biggest Pay-TV operator in Ukraine, signed carriage deal for full Viasat World channel portfolio on cable, IPTV and OTT platforms including Epic Drama, Viasat channels, Viasat Sport, TV1000, and ViP channels.
• TV3 Group (Baltics)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 January 2021Extended carriage deal for Viasat World's full channel and VOD portfolio including Epic Drama VOD on Go3 OTT platform in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• ITV StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2020Over 150 hours of premium drama content including The Singapore Grip, Murdoch Mysteries S10-13, and Agatha Christie's Marple. Deal extends partnership from Epic Drama's 2017 launch.
• ViacomCBS Global Distribution GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2020Two-year licensing agreement bringing 150+ hours of new content from Paramount Pictures library to Viasat TV channels and ViP Play online cinema in Russia and CIS countries. 20% increase in upcoming content.
• Antenna HungáriacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 August 2020Renewed deal for Viasat History, Epic Drama, Viasat Nature and Viasat Explore on Antenna Hungária platforms. Viasat History in 'Szabadidő' package, Epic Drama/Nature/Explore on MindiGO OTT platform.
• Bulsatcom (Bulgaria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2020Epic Drama launched with Bulsatcom DTH and IPTV platforms. Three-year deal extension for entire Viasat World portfolio. Bulgaria's biggest TV provider since 2004.
• Vivacom (Bulgaria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2018Vivacom, largest telecom operator in Bulgaria, launched Epic Drama on VIVACOM TV. Deal spans over a decade of partnership, now including complete flagship portfolio.
• A1 BulgariacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2018A1 Bulgaria added Epic Drama to IPTV and cable platforms. Partnership built on A1 Group's decade-long relationship with Viasat World across seven CEE countries.
• Sonar EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2018Acquired exclusive rights for Das Boot event series for Epic Drama markets, and Mr. Mercedes season 2 for ViP Premiere channel and ViP SVOD service in Russia and CIS territories.
• UPCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 June 2018Epic Drama launched on UPC platforms in Poland, Romania and Hungary. Added 1.5 million subscriptions to Epic Drama across CEE region.
• ITV Studios Global EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2017Landmark deal for 250 hours of period drama content including Harlots, Mr Selfridge, Poldark - making Epic Drama exclusive home in key international markets.
• Banijay RightscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2017Acquired The Restaurant and Versailles drama series for Epic Drama content platform. Deal expands partnership with Banijay Group.
• all3media internationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2017First scripted content deal acquiring 50+ hours of world-class drama content for Epic Drama launch slate including The Miniaturist, Close to the Enemy, The Village, and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
• COSMOTE TV (Greece)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 October 2017COSMOTE TV launched Viasat Explore and Viasat Nature channels alongside existing Viasat History in Greece. Channels available in all packs plus COSMOTE TV GO and REPLAY services.
• Woodcut MediaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2017First co-production venture for Viasat World. Co-produced 'How Hacks Work' (30x30') factual entertainment pop-science series for Viasat Explore in 87 countries.
• TCB Media RightsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2017Co-production partner managing international rights distribution for 'How Hacks Work'. Partnered with Woodcut Media on Viasat World's first co-production venture.
• Multichoice (DStv and GOtv)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 March 2017Viasat Life launched on DStv and GOtv across 43 African territories as part of MultiChoice's new customer loyalty programs DStv Thanks and GOtv WOW.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• A+E Networks International: A+E Networks operates a portfolio of international thematic channels (History, Crime + Investigation, Lifetime) distributed through pay-TV operators globally. It is the most direct comparator to Viasat World given the overlap in factual, true-crime, and lifestyle channel brands sold into similar operator customers worldwide.
• AMC Networks International: AMC Networks International operates a portfolio of thematic movie, drama, and lifestyle channels distributed through pay-TV operators across EMEA, Latin America, and Asia. Its mix of curated drama and movie channels mirrors the Epic Drama and Viasat Kino portfolio positioning.
• Red Arrow Studios (Telepool / Red Arrow): Red Arrow Studios (now part of Telepool) is a Munich-based international content distribution and channel business, distributing drama, factual, and entertainment content and operating thematic channels. Comparable to Viasat World as a mid-sized European content aggregator with similar channel distribution model.
• Blue Ant Media: Blue Ant Media is a Canada-based international content producer, distributor, and channel operator (Love Nature, Cottage Life, Smithsonian Channel) with a similar mid-sized independent thematic channel portfolio distributed via pay-TV operators and streaming platforms.

Broad incumbents

• Warner Bros. Discovery (International Networks): Discovery Networks International (now part of Warner Bros. Discovery) operates a large global portfolio of factual and lifestyle pay-TV channels (Discovery, Animal Planet, TLC, ID) sold to operators. It is a broader incumbent in the same factual/thematic channel category that Viasat World competes in, with much greater scale.
• BBC Studios (Channels): BBC Studios operates international channels (BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Brit, CBeebies) distributed through pay-TV operators worldwide. It competes with Viasat World for factual/nature/drama channel slots, particularly in CEE and Africa, but has a much larger content library and global footprint.
• Sony Pictures Television (Channels): Sony Pictures Television operates international movie and entertainment channels (Sony Channel, AXN, Animax, Sony Movies) distributed via pay-TV operators globally. Its movie channel brands overlap with Viasat Kino, Kino Action, and Kino Comedy on the same operator platforms.

Emerging players

• Trace (Trace TV): Trace operates a portfolio of music, entertainment, and urban culture pay-TV channels and SVOD services distributed internationally, including across Africa and Europe. It is comparable as a smaller international thematic channel operator targeting similar operator customers with curated genre brands.

Regional players

• CJ ENM (tvN and Channel CGV): CJ ENM operates Korean pay-TV channels and streaming services (tvN, Mnet, OCN) and distributes premium Asian drama and entertainment content to international pay-TV operators. Comparable as a content-rights licensor and channel operator competing for international pay-TV slots in similar genres.

Others

• All3Media International: All3Media International is a major UK-based content distribution business and a current Viasat World content partner. It is a peer in the sense that it shares the same operator customers and genre focus (drama, factual) but operates a distribution model rather than a proprietary channel business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Viasat World