Svarttrost

What Svarttrost does

Svarttrost Media AS is a Norwegian podcast production company founded in 2018 and headquartered at Torggata 11, Oslo. The company produces and distributes subscription-based documentary podcast series, with a heavy editorial focus on Norwegian true crime, criminal investigations, and investigative journalism. Its catalog spans more than 60 exclusive series and over 200 episodes, including titles such as 'Gåten Jan Helge Andersen', 'Operasjon Charlie', 'Tabbene i Tengs-saken', and 'Mysteriet på rom 221'. The company operates with a small team (11-50 employees) under editorial leadership of Kari Hesthamar (responsible editor) and Monica Flatabø (editorial lead), with Fredrik Syversen serving as board chairman.

The core product is the Svarttrost membership subscription, priced at 99 NOK per month or 950 NOK per year (with a 20% annual discount), offering unlimited ad-free access to all series and exclusive member-only episodes. New documentary series are released every three weeks. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via the svarttrost.no website, supplemented by integrations with Spotify and Apple Podcasts that allow in-app subscription purchase and playback in any podcast player. The platform also supports gift subscriptions (3/6/12-month durations) and a family-sharing add-on permitting up to three additional users at 49 NOK/month per user. The underlying technology stack relies on Subrite AS for the login and member management system ('Min side'), with Stripe and Norway-dominant Vipps handling payment processing.

The business model is a self-serve, product-led subscription model targeting Norwegian adult consumers who consume premium documentary podcasts. The company monetizes exclusively through consumer subscription revenue, with no advertising, no B2B contracts, and no disclosed institutional capital. Svarttrost has received production funding from the Fritt Ord foundation for at least four documentary series, co-produces with production company Fenomen, and was awarded 'Årets podkast' (Podcast of the Year) 2025. Geographic operations are confined to Norway.

Name

Svarttrost

Legal name

Svarttrost Media AS

Website

https://svarttrost.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Svarttrost is a Norwegian subscription-based documentary podcast production company offering Norwegian adult consumers ad-free access to 60+ exclusive true crime and investigative series, distributed via its website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Podcast Subscription / Documentary Audio Content

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers (MPACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Podcast Hosting, Distribution & Listening Platforms (BPAMAJAD), Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution) (MPACADAA), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)

Keywords

• Documentary podcasts
• Podcast subscription
• True crime audio
• Norwegian media
• Investigative journalism

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Monthly Membership Subscription: Recurring monthly subscription at 99 NOK per month, automatically renewed until cancelled
2. Annual Membership Subscription: Recurring annual subscription at 950 NOK per year (20% discount vs monthly), automatically renewed
3. Gift Subscriptions: One-time gift purchases for 3, 6, or 12 months, automatically ending after the gift period

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Svarttrost produces and distributes Norwegian-language documentary podcasts, including true crime and investigative journalism series, and sells subscription memberships that grant ad-free access to a catalog of more than 60 exclusive series. Content is delivered through the company's own website and via podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts) through RSS integration. Members can listen on any podcast player and add up to three extra users to their account.

Product overview

Svarttrost is a Norwegian podcast production company offering a subscription-based documentary podcast platform. The core product is the Svarttrost membership subscription (available as monthly at 99 NOK or annual at 950 NOK), which provides unlimited access to all podcast series with ad-free listening. The company produces award-winning Norwegian-language documentary podcast series covering true crime, criminal investigations, and historical cases. Their portfolio includes over 60 podcast series such as Gåten Jan Helge Andersen, Operasjon Charlie, Tvillingene Mina og Mille, Mysteriet på rom 221, and Dødsvarslene. Additional offerings include gift cards (3/6/12 month options) and family sharing (extra user add-on for up to 3 users). Content is accessible through the Svarttrost platform directly or via integrations with Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Svarttrost Podcast Membership Recurring subscription membership giving individual Norwegian consumers unlimited, ad-free access to Svarttrost's full catalog of 60+ exclusive documentary podcast series, with new series released every three weeks. Available as a monthly plan at 99 NOK or an annual plan at 950 NOK (20% discount).
• Svarttrost Gift Cards One-time gift subscription purchases available in 3-month (267 NOK), 6-month (505 NOK), and 12-month (950 NOK) tiers, granting a recipient access to the full Svarttrost membership and automatically ending after the gift period.
• Extra User Sharing Subscription add-on enabling a primary Svarttrost member to add up to three additional users to their account, priced at 49 NOK per month or 475 NOK per year per extra user.

Quantifiable outcome

• New series released every three weeks

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Subrite AScoreTechnology or IntegrationSubrite AS serves as data processor for the login and membership solution 'Min side' on svarttrost.no
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationStripe serves as data processor for payment processing in the subscription system
• VippscoreTechnology or IntegrationVipps serves as data processor for payment processing in the subscription system
• FenomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFenomen is a production company that co-produces podcast series with Svarttrost, including 'Barneraneren' and 'Mannen i varebilen'

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Podimo: Nordic-headquartered podcast and audiobook subscription platform offering premium, ad-free podcasts across multiple European markets. Highly comparable subscription-driven audio model with overlapping target audience.
• Storytel: Swedish subscription audiobook and podcast platform with strong Nordic presence. Comparable subscription audio model, though Svarttrost is narrower in podcast-only focus and more production-led.
• Wondery: US-based premium podcast production company known for true crime and documentary hits, now part of Amazon. Closely comparable in production-led premium documentary strategy, though operating in English rather than Norwegian.
• Podx: Nordic podcast production and distribution company producing premium branded and original podcast content. Comparable as a regional podcast production specialist with a multi-show portfolio.
• Fenomen: Norwegian podcast production company that co-produces series with Svarttrost (e.g., Barneraneren, Mannen i varebilen). Directly comparable in production style, content niche, and target audience.

Emerging players

• BookBeat: Nordic audiobook and podcast streaming subscription service owned by Bonnier. Comparable recurring-revenue audio subscription model targeting Scandinavian consumers.

Regional players

• VG Podkast: Podcast arm of Verdens Gang, one of Norway's largest newspapers, producing free Norwegian news and investigative podcasts. Comparable Norwegian-language content focus; competes on price as a free alternative.

Broad incumbents

• NRK (Norsk rikskringkasting): Norwegian public broadcaster producing high-quality, free investigative and documentary podcasts in Norwegian. Comparable content genre and language; sets the free alternative against which Svarttrost's paid offering must compete.
• Audible: Global audiobook and spoken-word subscription service from Amazon. Comparable subscription audio model at vastly greater scale; competes for premium spoken-word listening time and budgets.

Others

• Acast: Swedish-founded podcast hosting, monetization, and distribution platform serving creators globally. Comparable as ecosystem infrastructure; competes indirectly via hosting alternatives to Svarttrost's Subrite-based stack.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/svarttrostproduksjoner
• Instagraminstagram.com/svarttrostmedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/svarttrost-produksjoner

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Svarttrost