365
365 was an Icelandic mass-media company that operated television and radio services, published a major newspaper, and distributed foreign television channels.
Last updated November 1, 2026
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Overview
365 was an Icelandic media corporation whose activities covered television broadcasting, radio, newspaper publishing, sports and entertainment content, and digital television distribution. It developed from the wider corporate group formed around Dagsbrún, an Icelandic telecommunications and media enterprise that assembled businesses across communications, broadcasting, publishing, and related services. Within that group, 365 became the principal media-focused organization and operated a substantial portfolio of nationally recognized Icelandic brands. The company's broadcasting history included Bylgjan, which began broadcasting in 1986, and Stöð 2, which also launched in 1986. Stöð 2 became one of Iceland's most important commercial television services. The portfolio later expanded into sports and film-oriented channels, including Stöð 2 Sport, also associated with the name Sýn, from 1995, and Bíórásin from 1998. In addition to its own programming, 365 used a digital television platform to rebroadcast selected foreign television channels to Icelandic audiences. Publishing was another central part of the business. 365 began publishing Fréttablaðið in 2001. The newspaper became an important part of the company's media presence and remained with the media operation after the disposal of most of 365's other assets. The company's activities therefore combined linear broadcasting, subscription and digital television, radio, sports rights and programming, and newspaper publishing rather than relying on a single media format. The corporate background of 365 can be traced to the expansion of Og fjarskipti, which was formed in 2003 through the merger of Icelandic telecommunications companies Íslandssími, Tal, and Halló!. During 2004 and early 2005, Og fjarskipti expanded through acquisitions including internet service providers Margmiðlun and Lína.Net, as well as most of the Icelandic media company Norðurljós. The company changed its name to Dagsbrún in 2005. By 2006, the group combined Vodafone Iceland, 365, Sena, Wyndeham Press, security operations, and Vodafone Faroe Islands. Dagsbrún subsequently became 365 and separated its media activities into specialized subsidiaries, including 365 ljósvakamiðlar and 365 prentmiðlar. The business continued to evolve through acquisitions and portfolio changes. In 2015, 365 Miðlar acquired the Icelandic telecommunications company Tal and integrated it into its operations. In 2017, 365 Miðlar sold most of its assets to Fjarskipti ehf, the parent company of Vodafone Iceland. The transaction included major media and digital assets, including the website Vísir.is. 365 retained Fréttablaðið and established a separate website for the newspaper at frettabladid.is. The remaining publishing interest was later transferred. In 2019, Helgi Magnússon and other investors acquired 365 Miðlar's shares in Torg ehf., the publishing company behind Fréttablaðið; Magnússon had already acquired half of Torg earlier that year. Following the divestment of its principal operating assets and the sale of its remaining newspaper investment, 365 ceased to function as the broad media corporation described in earlier periods. Its legacy is reflected in the Icelandic television, radio, digital media, and newspaper brands developed or assembled under its ownership.
History
365 was part of the consolidation of Iceland's telecommunications and media industries in the 2000s. Og fjarskipti was created in 2003 through the merger of Íslandssími, Tal, and Halló!, three Icelandic telephone businesses. It expanded in 2004 and early 2005 by acquiring the internet providers Margmiðlun and Lína.Net and most of the media company Norðurljós. These transactions created a diversified communications group with fixed and mobile telephony, data services, broadband, television, and media assets. In 2005, Og fjarskipti adopted the name Dagsbrún. By March 2006, Dagsbrún's portfolio included Vodafone Iceland, the media business 365, the content and cinema company Sena, the British printing company Wyndeham Press, Icelandic Securitas franchise operations, and Vodafone Faroe Islands. Dagsbrún later became 365 and reorganized its media activities into two principal subsidiaries: 365 ljósvakamiðlar, focused on broadcast media, and 365 prentmiðlar, focused on print publishing. The media portfolio drew on several established Icelandic services. Bylgjan and Stöð 2 began broadcasting in 1986. Stöð 2 Sport, also linked with the Sýn name, began in 1995, while the film channel Bíórásin launched in 1998. 365 also published Fréttablaðið from 2001 and operated a digital television service that rebroadcast foreign channels. The company continued to adjust the boundaries between its media and telecommunications businesses. In 2015, 365 Miðlar purchased Tal and merged the telecommunications company into its operations. In 2017, it sold most of its assets to Fjarskipti ehf, the company behind Vodafone Iceland. The sale included the Vísir.is website and other major operating assets. Fréttablaðið was retained, and a dedicated website was created for it at frettabladid.is. In 2019, Helgi Magnússon and other investors purchased 365 Miðlar's shares in Torg ehf., the publisher of Fréttablaðið. Magnússon had acquired half of Torg earlier in the same year. This transaction removed the principal remaining newspaper holding from 365 Miðlar. As a result, 365 is principally remembered as a former Icelandic media corporation rather than as an active standalone broadcaster or publisher.
- 2019
Remaining Torg stake is sold
[1]Helgi Magnússon and other investors acquired 365 Miðlar's shares in Torg ehf., the publisher of Fréttablaðið.
- 2017
Most assets are sold to Fjarskipti
[1]365 Miðlar sold most of its assets to Fjarskipti ehf, the parent company of Vodafone Iceland, while retaining Fréttablaðið.
- 2015
365 Miðlar acquires Tal
[1]365 Miðlar acquired the Icelandic telecommunications company Tal and combined it with its operations.
- 2005
Og fjarskipti adopts the Dagsbrún name
[1]The expanding communications group changed its name from Og fjarskipti to Dagsbrún.
- 2003
Og fjarskipti is formed
[1]Íslandssími, Tal, and Halló! merged to form Og fjarskipti, the corporate predecessor in the group's telecommunications and media consolidation.
- 2001
Fréttablaðið begins publication
[1]365 began publishing Fréttablaðið, which became a major part of its publishing business.
- 1998
Bíórásin launches
[1]The film and entertainment channel Bíórásin was introduced.
- 1995
Stöð 2 Sport launches
[1]The sports-oriented television service associated with Stöð 2 Sport and the Sýn name began operations.
- 1986
Bylgjan and Stöð 2 begin broadcasting
[1]The radio station Bylgjan and the television station Stöð 2 began broadcasting, later becoming key brands in the 365 media portfolio.
Products and positioning
A broad Icelandic mass-media operator combining commercial television, radio, newspaper publishing, sports and entertainment content, and digital channel distribution.
Television channel · 1986
Stöð 2
A major Icelandic commercial television service that began broadcasting in 1986 and became one of the central properties associated with 365's broadcast portfolio.
Radio station · 1986
Bylgjan
An Icelandic radio station launched in 1986 and included among the established broadcast brands connected with 365.
Sports television · 1995
Stöð 2 Sport
A sports-focused television service introduced in 1995 and associated with the Sýn name within the group's channel portfolio.
Film television channel · 1998
Bíórásin
A film and entertainment channel launched in 1998 as part of 365's television offering.
Newspaper · 2001
Fréttablaðið
An Icelandic newspaper that 365 began publishing in 2001. It remained with the media operation after most other assets were sold in 2017 and was subsequently transferred to investors through the sale of 365 Miðlar's interest in Torg ehf.
News website
Vísir.is
An Icelandic news website included among the assets transferred by 365 Miðlar to Fjarskipti in 2017.
Controversies
2021
Avanti recalls frozen cooked shrimp products linked to salmonella outbreak
Avanti Frozen Foods recalled some frozen cooked shrimp products sold under several brand names after salmonella was found in a sample of its shrimp. The CDC linked an outbreak to certain frozen cooked shrimp products distributed nationwide. The article reports six illnesses and two hospitalizations. Customers with affected products could return them for a refund.
Brand decisions
2019
Sale of the remaining Torg investmentM&ABackground
After retaining Fréttablaðið following the 2017 asset sale, 365 Miðlar held an interest in Torg ehf., the newspaper's publishing company.
Action taken
Helgi Magnússon and other investors acquired 365 Miðlar's shares in Torg ehf.
Aftermath
The sale removed 365 Miðlar's remaining reported investment in the publisher behind Fréttablaðið.
2017
Divestment of most media assetsM&ABackground
365 Miðlar was restructuring its portfolio after operating across broadcasting, publishing, telecommunications, and digital media.
Action taken
The company sold most of its assets to Fjarskipti ehf, the parent company of Vodafone Iceland, including Vísir.is, while retaining Fréttablaðið.
Aftermath
The transaction substantially reduced 365's operating media footprint and left the newspaper as its principal retained media interest.
Recent events
- 2019
Investors acquire 365 Miðlar's interest in Torg[1]
M&A
Helgi Magnússon and other investors acquired 365 Miðlar's shares in Torg ehf., the publishing company behind Fréttablaðið, completing the transfer of the remaining newspaper investment.
- 2017
365 sells most media assets to Vodafone Iceland parent[1]
M&A
365 Miðlar sold most of its assets to Fjarskipti ehf, the parent company of Vodafone Iceland. The transaction included the Vísir.is website, while Fréttablaðið remained with 365.
Sources3 sources
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