Madrid-based global giant Mediapro Studios has launched a new non-fiction banner, Stopwatch Media, in collaboration with Emmy Award-winning producer and showrunner Charles Wachter.
Wachter, whose notable credits include Netflix’s reality show “Million Dollar Secrets,” Prime Video’s “Beast Games,” Hulu’s “Got to Get Out,” as well as Netflix’s hit series “Win the Mall,” will be based in Toronto, where Stopwatch Media is headquartered, and will allow MediaPro Studios to establish a foothold in Canada and continue to expand its global infrastructure.
The new label, led by Wachter, will leverage The Mediapro Studio’s international reach, resources and partnerships to develop premium formats for both U.S. and international audiences.
“Taking advantage of the trend of American programming landing in Canada, this is about planting the flag and building the production infrastructure to deliver ambitious, globally relevant programming,” Wachter said. “With The Mediapro Studio as our partner, we have the vision, creative freedom and ambition to develop ideas that will have an impact in the United States and beyond.”
“MediaPro Studios has always sought to partner with bold, creative voices who can move the industry forward, and Charles Wachter is just that. His track record of delivering premium original formats with international resonance makes Stopwatch Media a natural extension of our global content strategy. With this launch, we strengthen our presence with one of the best companies in Canada.”
The launch of Stopwatch Media comes at a pivotal time for the industry, as networks and platforms seek high-impact formats with franchise potential in an increasingly crowded market.
“Working with Charles at Stopwatch Media is a statement of how we see the future of nonfiction content,” said JC Acosta, MediaPro Studio US Director. “Our priorities are clear: to develop and produce bold, global unscripted formats.”
Wachter is behind some of the biggest hit reality shows on streaming platforms and networks. Netflix’s reality competition series Million Dollar Secret, hosted by Peter Serafinowicz, will return for season 2 on April 15th. His other credits include ABC’s “Fear Factor” and “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” for which he won an Emmy Award.
Among the prominent production and distribution companies based in Southern Europe, The Mediapro Studio has rapidly expanded to 53 locations worldwide.
Its fiction works include recent hit films such as “Aida y Vuelta,” “El 47,” and “Good Boss,” starring Javier Bardem. We also sponsor some of the most demanding international shows, including “The New Pope,” “The Young Pope,” “Yosi, the Regretful Spy,” and “Barrabrava,” among others.
