Viaplay UK Finally Gets A Roku App With Sports And Drama

Viaplay, the streaming service that offers a combination of live sports from the former Premier Sports, along with original Nordic films and TV shows, has finally launched on Roku devices in the UK and the US.

The Viaplay streaming service, which launched on our side of the pond last year, includes two packages in the UK: The Films & Series package focuses on Viaplay Originals and curated third-party content, with more than 1,500 hours of drama.

The Viaplay Total package adds the combined UK sports line-up of Viaplay and UK sports streamer and TV channel operator that used to be called Premier Sports – and was acquired by Viaplay in 2022.

Premier Sports – which is now part of Viaplay, under the new name – holds the rights to some of the major sporting events in the world, such as football from the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifiers, LaLiga and Scottish Cup, United Rugby Championship and NHL ice hockey.

Today, the company announced a multi-year partnership that makes the Viaplay streaming service available for subscription through Roku streaming devices in the US, Canada and the UK.

Roku users can now install the Viaplay app on their streaming devices (see more details below), and then subscribe directly.

Viaplay offers three pricing tiers in the UK:

• The Films & Series plan costs £3.99/month (after a free 7-day trial)
• Viaplay Total costs £14.99/month
• Viaplay Total Annual is £11.99/month (a saving of 20%), but you have to sign up for 12 months.

What Can I Watch On Viaplay?

Viaplay is a leading Nordic producer of original content and offers UK audiences a broad selection of its most successful series and films, all with English subtitles.

The drama shows on Viaplay include the Nordic noir series Cell 8 with Freddie Wise, the intense crime drama Face to Face with Lars Mikkelsen (House of Cards), the acclaimed Danish series White Sands and Seaside Hotel, as well as the legendary series The Bridge.

Viewers can also access Viaplay’s documentary slate, with Nordic and international productions such as Natascha Kampusch – A Lifetime in Prison, Operation Cannabis, Superswede and The Prize of Silence.

Sports On Viaplay Total

Premier Sports was a set of pay-TV sports channels, that were available on Sky and its streaming service NOW (though not on Sky Glass), Virgin Media, and on the standalone website via the Premier Sports Player.

Following the launch of Viaplay, Premier Sports 1 and Premier Sports 2 have been rebranded as Viaplay Sports 1 and Viaplay Sports 2, with the free-to-air TV channel FreeSports becoming Viaplay Xtra.

All channels have remained available through the existing distribution partners, and continue to broadcast live sports to pubs, clubs and other commercial premises throughout the UK.

On Roku (and other streaming devices), Viaplay subscribers can get sporting events from LaLiga, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and Coppa Italia football; BKT United Rugby Championship, Rugby Football League and TOP 14 rugby; NHL, IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, Champions Hockey League and Elite Ice Hockey League; CEV volleyball; KSW mixed martial arts; EHF handball; ISU figure skating and speed skating; World Athletics Continental Tour Gold and Indoor Tour; and much more.

Viaplay on Roku

Since its UK launch, Viaplay has been available directly as a subscription app on a long list of streaming devices – major Smart TV brands, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Google TV and PC and Mac.

But Roku streaming devices have been missing from that list – until now.

Roku has long been one of the leading streaming device manufacturers in the US – and has been making a name for itself in the UK as well.

The three stand-alone streaming devices from Roku (see our full comparison) are excellent streamers – with the 4K Streaming Stick being our choice for the top UK streaming device.

In addition, Roku sells Roku TVs – Freeview television sets with Roku’s OS already built into them. Several models are now sold in the UK – including a Roku TV from Hisense, a Roku TV from METZ, a TCL Roku TV and more.

To get Viaplay on Roku, you can either search for it directly on your streaming device – or send it to your device via Roku’s website.

Vanda Rapti, Viaplay Group EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, North America & Viaplay Select said today: “This multi-year partnership makes it even easier for audiences in Viaplay’s three newest markets to subscribe to our unique service.

“Roku has outstanding reach and brand recognition among viewers. Launching on Roku devices will bring Viaplay directly to many more fans of top-quality international storytelling – both those who love Nordic Noir and those who just don’t know it yet – and to sports supporters across the UK.”