The Swedish biathlon season opener is in focus in this weekend’s season premiere of “Vinterstudion”.
The popular weekend programme is otherwise strongly associated with cross-country skiing, but viewers have had to get used to other media companies snapping up the rights.
Viaplay has been broadcasting the Ski World Cup for several years, and the channel finally secured the World Championships in Falun after a lengthy process.
“Creating reactions”
Max Bursell says SVT would have liked to broadcast the World Championships, but has to work within its budget.
I understand that it creates reactions. We did everything we could within our circumstances, but this time the rights went to Viaplay, says Bursell.
How much does this depend on the announced savings package at SVT, which will come into effect next year?
We have a reduced budget for buying rights, but that was not a decisive factor. We do not have unlimited funds, though. We have a budget we must stick to, says Max Bursell.
SVT has also chosen not to extend its agreement with the cross-country skiing series Ski Classics, where Swede Alvar Myhlback is one of the big names.
Ski Classics is a good right, but it was outside Vinterstudion, so it has not had much of an impact, says Max Bursell.
Fredriksson quits
New for this winter, however, is that SVT has the rights to competitions held in Sweden, starting November 20-22, when the Swedish season opener is held in Bruksvallarna.
We have not had that before, and we must not forget the crown jewel: Vasaloppet. It will be a fully fledged Vinterstudion, says Bursell.
Another change is that popular cross-country skiing expert Mathias Fredriksson is stepping down after 13 years. Max Bursell says it was time to end the collaboration because SVT no longer has the rights to the cross-country skiing World Cup.
But viewers will see more of “Blomman” (Anders Blomquist) in Vinterstudion, and Anna Haag will also make a few guest appearances. She was on our Olympic broadcasts.
Biathlon in focus
This weekend’s season premiere of “Vinterstudion” focuses on the Swedish biathlon season opener in Idre. SVT also has the rights to the Biathlon World Cup and World Championships.
The national team stars welcome the news.
It is very fun that we will be part of Vinterstudion for several years to come. It is easily accessible, and I know what it means that everyone can take part in it, says Elvira Öberg.
What do you think?