In what looks like a coup for both parties, Skydance and Movistar Plus, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator, are expanding their strategic alliance, strengthening Skydance’s deal in distribution on Movistar Plus and taking it to the next level by including co-branded orginal series.
The two-year deal continuation of the distribution of HBO Max and Warner Bros. Theatrical features on Movistar Plus, the distribution of former Discovery TV channels now part of Skydance TV.
In a new and exciting element which takes the partnership to a new level, however, the two partners will co-develop and co-produce series under the joint Movistar Plus and HBO Original label. These will be distributed worldwide by HBO Max and Skydance.
The deal looks like a win-win for both partners. Over recent years, Movistar Plus has exploded onto the international scene with hugely ambitious series made by the cream of Spain’s younger creauve talent such as “La Mesías,” from “La Bola Negra” directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, the first Spanish series selected for Sundance, Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s “Querer,” which won the top prize at Series Mania last year, and “The New Years,” from “The Beloved” director Rodrigo Sorogoyen, selected for the Venice Film Festival.
With regards to its sub-base, HBO Max is doing well in Spain, set to pass Amazon to become the second largest streamer in Spain by the end of 2026, according to Ampere Analysis. That said, its catalogue is only just over 4% Spanish origin by volume in Spain – half what Netflix has by volume and a quarter of Amazon, Ampere Analysis calculates.
At least when it comes to signature Spanish shows, the new extended arrangement offers HBO Max the same kind of bundling deal with a local operator that has helped drive subscriber growth, advertising and local engagement in Germany with a deal with RTL+ and via Viu in Southeast Asia.
HBO Max has already signed a first look TV deal with Domingo Corral, one of the architects of Movistar Plus’ move into premium series production when head of fiction at Movistar Plus. I has also unveiled a new crime drama produced by Calvo and Ambrossi and created by “Anatomy of a Moment” writer Fran Araújo and “Querer” co-scribe Eduard Sola. The strategic co-development and co-branded series partnership is another and significant step in the same direction.
For Movistar Plus, the alliance offers a one-stop answer to one of its main challenges over recent years: Sacled international distribution, plus priceless co-financing on series which can allow its prize talent to make the series they want to with the resources they need.
First up of joint projects is “Veredicto,” a Movistar Plus and HBO Original series produced in collaboration with Ikiru Films (“Tad Jones and the Magic Lamp”) and Luminol Media.
Created by Eduard Sola again, Pol Cortecans and Daniel González from an original idea by Carles Porta, Spain’s master of true-crime, it stars Nagore Aranburu, the lead of “Querer,” Ernesto Alterio, Alba Flores (“Money Heist”), Omar Ayuso (“Elite”), Secun de la Rosa, Pablo Larraín go-to actor Alfredo Castro, Marc Soler, Júlia Mascort, Cris Blanco and Mamen Duch.
Also in the deal is a new Movistar Plus and HBO Original series from Porta again and Los Moriarti (“Maspalomas,” “Marco,” “The Endless Trench,” starring Anna Castillo (“Nowhere”), Pol López and Eduard Fernández.
“This agreement strengthens our long-standing strategic partnership with Skydance and allows us to continue offering our customers one of the most comprehensive entertainment propositions in the market, combining the best user experience with some of the most recognized content and brands in the audiovisual industry,” said Alfonso Gómez Palacio, CEO of Movistar Plus.
“Great stories have the power to bring audiences together around the world, and this expanded alliance with Movistar Plus will allow us to continue bringing Spanish viewers some of the most influential franchises, films, and series in our industry. From iconic cinematic universes to original productions with the potential to become global phenomena, we share with Movistar Plus the ambition to deliver outstanding entertainment experiences and support a new generation of creators and storytellers,” said Alessandro Araimo, managing director & executive VP, Southern Europe at Skydance.
More to come.