News

Finland’s leading commercial broadcaster MTV, commissioner of TV hits “Conflict” (sold by Keshet Intl.) and “Helsinki Crimes” (distributed by Oble Ent.), is betting on fewer but bigger dramas and ramping up its international co-productions within the Nordics and beyond

Its revamped strategy should not be affected by its upcoming change of ownership – from Telia to Schibsted Media – according to CEO Johannes Leppänen: “MTV has a strong position in the Finnish market and Schibsted Media is looking forward to supporting MTV’s leading position also within drama into the future,” he told Variety.

The Finnish broadcaster’s revamped drama order and outward push was initiated a year and a half ago, but will be gearing up to a new level in 2025. “We have around 10 co-production projects in our pipeline and hope to greenlight some of them before the summer, then the next stop is New Year,” said Janne Vakio, MTV commissions and content development manager.

ITV Studios Finland has begun production on a local adaptation of “Cold Feet,” the beloved British comedy-drama series that ran for five seasons between 1997 and 2003 before launching a hit reboot 13 years later.

Produced for MTV and set to premiere in 2026, the 8 x 42” series (“Rimakauhua ja rakkautta” in Finnish) is written by Marika Kuortti (“Roomies”) and directed by Ville Jankeri (“Forest Giant”). Cast includes Minka Kuustonen, Saga Sarkola, Linda Wiklund, Joonas Nordman, Aku Sipola and Nicklas Pohjola. The executive producers are Maria Kangas and Pete Paavolainen for ITV Studios Finland.

“Cold Feet” will follow the lives of three couples in their thirties who are struggling to put their wild youths behind them in the face of middle age, a journey that none will get through easily. Riding the highs and lows as they fight, flirt, struggle with self-esteem, forge lasting friendships and enjoy newfound feelings of happiness, the couples will try...

Nordic Crime Commission

C More has commissioned a second, six-episode season of ITV Studios Finland’s glossy detective drama “Helsinki Crimes” (aka “Harjunpää”). The first season of Helsinki Crimes became one of C More’s most-watched crime series to date. After its launch on Netflix last year, in regions across Cee, Benelux, Austria and the Nordics, the series was one of the top ten most-watched series, and the third most-watched in Finland.

In the new season, Chief Constable Timo Harjunpää, portrayed by Olli Rahkonen, and his murder team investigate bloody clashes between street gangs, love scams and a wave of burglaries.

The series is adapted from Matti Yrjänä Joensuu’s series of novels and is written for the screen by Harri Virtanen (“Deadwind”) and directed by Matti Kinnunen (“Cargo”).

The first season of Helsinki Crimes also sold to Australia’s Sbs On Demand, AMC Networks International’s SundanceTV in Spain,...