Held at southern Madrid’s Matadero, a former slaughterhouse reopened as a culture center, 2025’s Iberseries & Platino Industria broke all time attendance records, surging to over 2,700 accredited participants. More than 1,500 companies were represented at the film-TV conference and market, up 50% on 2024.
There’s good reason for that. Netflix’s Top 10 of non-English TV shows has “Billionaire’s Bunker,” from Money Heist’s Alex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato at No. 1, “Angela,” an Atresmedia TV, “It’s stunning how Spanish titles travel, as originals and formats,” said Beta Film CEO Moritz Von Kruedener, at an Iberseries spotlight session, where he drilled down on how Beta Film has sold Spanish shows from 2011’s “Grand Hotel,” which pretty well sold out the world.
Global streaming services have also taken note. In 2024, global streamers poured €2.0 billion ($2.2 billion) into Spanish original content — second only to the U.K. at €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion), and far above France and Germany (€0.8 billion – $860 million each) or Italy (€0.7 billion – $750 million), according to the European Audiovisual Observatory.
The cost of production has hardly come down. Shows still have to cut through an inordinate clutter of offers in post-peak TV.
So this is the age of collaboration. Current international TV business is “about trying to find common interests, what could work and travel between different countries. That’s why there are different alliances and forums of trying, you know, to to see what can make sense because it needs to work for more than one country, Al De Azpiazu, SVP Distribution, Fremantle said at an Iberseries panel.
“Windowing is the only way to make an asset and the only way to make something stand out,” added David Atlan-Jackson, CCO, Vuelta Entertainment
Both require on-site acquaintance, making TV meets-marts, if they catch fire, ever more popular. 10 Takes at 2025’s Iberseries & Platino Industria, which ran Sept. 30-Oct. 3.
Disney+: The Pivot
“To amp up our local presence, we’re looking for co-productions and acquisitions,” Sofía Fábregas, VP, Original Production, Disney Plus+ Spain, explained at a Iberseries keynote, saying it was already advancing on two co-production. Disney+ will also drive into theatrical feature film production, co-financing around four movies a year. Fábregas noted. The announcement comes just weeks after Disney+ and Atresmedia struck what they described as a landmark deal, granting Disney+ access to 300 hours of Atresmedia content, presented under an Atresplayer label. Titles include hit “Mar afuera,” “La Voz” and daily series “Sueños de Libertad.” As in the U.K., where it is now licensing ITVX shows, and in Germany, partnering with ZDF, Disney +’s days of sourcing local content via 100% owned global originals look truly over.
Buzz Titles
Set for global release by Prime Video on Oct. 31, supernatural thriller “Cometierra,” created by Daniel Burman, received a rousing reception at an Iberseries & Platino Industria panel as did another powerful Mediapro Studio series, “Raza Brava,” from Hernán Caffiero (“The Suspended Mourning”), about the rise and ethical fall of the head of a Colo Colo soccer club fan gang.
There was great word also on “The Anatomy of a Moment,” about how democracy was won and almost lost in Spain over 1976-81, premiered to acclaim at San Sebastián. Beta Fiction Spain walked an audience through “Cronos,” a high-stakes terrorist manhunt thriller based on real-life police reaction to 2017 Barcelona terrorist attacks which looked like one of the potential big Spanish movies of 2026. Mediterráneo Mediaset’s “La Agencia,” a makeover of France’s “Call My Agent,” and Atresmedia’s “The Maid’s Daughter” look like major Mipcom plays from Spain.
Streaming Services Out in Force
Disney+’s shift was the largest strategic announcement from a streamer at Iberseries. Elsewhere, however, the streaming services were out in force. Movistar Plus+, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator, confirmed 35 international sales deals, led by “La Mesias,” “Querer,” “The New Years” and “Marbella.”
On stage at Iberseries, SkyShowtime Chief Content Officer Kai Finke unveiled a new show, “The Tribute,” (“El homenaje”), a new family crime thriller, created by Sergio Casanovas and re-teaming SkyShowtime Spain, Secuoya, Stellarmedia and much of the cast of “Shades,” though in new roles. Showrunner Daniel Burman presented “Cometierra,” made by Oficina Burman, Cimarrón and Exile Content Studio for Prime Video Mexico.
Co-Production: The Go to Option
Iberseries & Platino Industria’s single biggest deal: A Telemundo Studios-The Mediapro Studio U.S. & Canada strategic alliance to develop and produce original films for U.S. Hispanic audiences and beyond. The partners had just announced Spanish-language romcom “Atrápelo quien pueda,” teaming with Mexico’s Cinepolis. At another spotlight session, Secuoya Studios presented its latest wave of international production partners: BlackBox Multimedia (U.K.), Make it Happen Studios, (France), Act4 (Iceland) and Permanent Wave Productions (U.S.). “Together, we will continue to set new standards for top level production in the industry,” said Telemundo Studios head Javier Pons. Without co-production, that’s becoming a big ask.
Gaumont USA Drives Into IP
Founded in 1895, and now turning 130, France’s Gaumont is the oldest film studio in the world, with a host of hits down the decades way before “Lupin.” Most, moreover, are movies. It is now putting that to good use. At Iberseries & Platino Industria, Gaumont USA unveiled new projects with Kate del Castillo’s Cholawood – action thriller “Point Blank” and buddy comedy “La Chef,” from Noé Santillán-López, behind 2025 mega hit “Gift Table,” both starring Del Castillo – plus “Las Wannabes,” with cast head by “How to Get Away With Murder” star Karla Souza. In Brazil, it also unveiled “Me Engana Que Eu Gosto,” to be directed by Pedro Amorim. All four titles adapt Gaumont modern movie classics, and play off Gaumont USA’s still excellent relationships with streamers which are moving ever more into movie production as well as Gaumont’s top-notch talent relations. “Our aim is to partner with the best writers, directors, actors, talent and producers in each of those countries,” said Gaumont USA President Nicolas Atlan, who delivered a first day keynote at Iberseries.
Germany’s Beta Film: Still Looking to Spain
Beta Film announced at Iberseries that it has boarded Secuoya Studios’ romantic action thriller “Under a Volcano” and crime thriller “Road to Arcadia,’ both starring William Levy, slotting into a two-title three-way deal between Secuoya, William Levy Entertainment and TelevisaUnivision streamer ViX. The deal continues Beta Film’s multi-milestone sales relationship with Spain, featuring landmark deals on titles – “Grand Hotel” and “Velvet” – or with series from game-changing Spanish creators, such as Alex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato on “The Pier.” Beta Film and Movistar Plus+ signed a three-year production and distribution deal in 2019. “The key is a personal contact with creative talent, plus IPs, Beta Film CEO Von Kruedener said at an Iberseries & Platino Industria spotlight.
TV Markets Are Foreign Lands….
They do things differently there, in some territories, at least, suggested a GECA study presented at Iberseries. In Europe and Latin America, the U.K. ruled over the 2024-25 season, bowing 95 new scripted series over Sept. 1 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025 followed by France (81), Mexico (69), Germany (66) and Spain (60), noted GECA’s Gloria Saló. Free-to-air channels dominate output levels in most European big markets, led by the BBC in the U.K., France’s TF1, Germany’s ZDFneo and Italy’s RaiUno.
In Mexico, however, SVOD operators, headed by Netflix and Disney+, dominated new series numbers. Likewise Spain, where SVOD services repped 42 of the 60 new series released, driven by Netflix, Atresplayer Premium, Disney+ and Movistar Plus+. Sweden stands out for the power of VOD channels, led by SVT Play, Poland for its vibrant streaming scene, led by 16 scripted series premieres, principally from Netflix, HBO and SkyShowtime.
Facilitating Sustainability: Banijay Iberia, Mrs Greenfilm
At another Iberseries session, Banijay Iberia and Mrs Greenfilm presented a “Practical Eco Management Guide,” collecting best practice from shoots and sets, often made in response to the demands of public administrations, broadcasters and streamers, and drilling down on current standards and certifications. “Our commitment to building a more sustainable audiovisual industry is a fact. Productions such as ‘Operación Triunfo’ or the trilogy that began with ‘Culpa Mía’ are already pioneers in this field, and that is the path we aspire to in all our projects,” said Pilar Blasco, Banijay Iberia CEO. “That’s no small matter. Banijay Iberia comprises nine companies including Spanish industry leaders DLO Producciones, Pookepsie Films, Shine Iberia, Portocabo and Diagonal TV. Parent Banijay Entertainment owns over 130 companies in 23 territories. Launched in 2021, Mrs Greenfilm has already worked on 200 productions. Larger sustainability at least is a gathering reality.
What People View: Thrillers, But Watch Out for the Micro Drama Boom
Among scripted series, thrillers dominate pretty much everywhere in Europe in the number of new bows. In the U.K., dramas, especially 6-8 episode thrillers, repped nearly 50% of bows, with mini-series, above all real event based, were No. 2, said GECA’s Gloria Saló. In Germany, thrillers, cop shows and YA comedies rule the output roost. Thrillers are Spain and Italy’s most popular genre, Saló noted. Latin America does things differently. The biggest number of new series in Colombia, in contrast, however, are now micro dramas released on smart phone apps in vertical formats, either adapting titles from broadcaster Caracol or dedicated U.S. titles on ReelShort. In Mexico, micro-dramas are booming, led by ViX Micro, mostly romantic micro novelas.
The Deals
A score announced at Iberseries & Platino Industria:
*Eugenio Derbez and wife, actress-singer Alessandra Rosaldo announced on stage at Iberseries the launch of Studio DRBZ, a content venture to create original material for digital platforms, where Derbez parents will partner with the three adult children, Aislinn Derbez, José Eduardo Derbez and Vadhir Derbez. The new studio targets Latin American and U.S. Hispanic audiences.
*At his keynote, L.A. based Gaumont USA President Nicolas Atlan announced that Omar Sy, Benjamin Lavernhe, Antoine de Caunes, Clémence Poésy, Pom Klementieff and Alain Chabat will join the Celine Dion-led voice cast of Paul McCartney’s animated film “High in the Clouds,” produced and healthfully pre-sold by France’s Gaumont.
*Miami-based Telemundo Studio and L.A.-based The Mediapro Studio U.S. & Canada unveiled a strategic movie production alliance for the U.S. Hispanic market and beyond (see above).
*Movistar Plus+ International drilled down for buyers on its latest sales and a total 35 licensing pacts as it talked up the Spanish pay-TV/SVOD operator’s co-production with Arte France on “Killing a Bear,” its fourth with the French upscale public service.
*Ever more active and better positioned in Latin America, The Mediapro Studio announced that thriving services-production company Cimarrón, which it bought in 2023, has established its fourth operation in Latin America, in Colombia, headed by seasoned executive Julián Duque. Cimarrón already runs offices in Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina.
*”1899” and “Ghosts” producer Pat Tookey-Dickson is set to co-produce “A Remarkable Woman,” a period dramedy from Ukrainian-Canadian writer-creator Anastasiia Starova, about the woman hailed as the world’s first influencer.
*Apart from “Road to Arcadia” and “Beneath the Volcano,” Beta Film will bring to market at Mipcom the third season of real-life inspired Madrid mob “El Inmortal – Gangs of Madrid,” a Movistar Plus+ production with Banijay’s DLO Producciones whose Season 1 world premiered at Canneseries 2022.
*Underscoring Latin America’s auteur genre build, “Roma” producer Pimienta Films has boarded “Lux Noctis,” from ‘Huesera’ executive producers Maligno Gorehouse. The faeture, a fantasy parable directed by Damiana Acuña, proved a big winner at last year’s Ventana Sur.
*Gaumont USA, which also oversees Spain, is developing there buddy comedy movie “Brats” with Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor (“Nails,” “Alpha Males,” “La que se avecina”) and Javier Aguado, who are also adapting for Spain a highly successful Gaumont Germany series “Die Wespe.”
*Germany’s ZDF Studios has boarded as a co-producer thriller “Patagonia. What Paradise Hides,” from Chile’s María Wood Producciones and Spain’s Atlantika Films.
*Spain’s Pedralonga Studios, a joint venture of the Galician Audiovisual Cluster (CLAG) and A Coruña U, confirmed that its Coruña Immersive Studio (CEI), Spain’s biggest virtual studio and one of the most advanced in Europe, will officially open its doors from Oct. 8.
*Peru’s Tondero, run by Miguel Valladares, has established an office in Spain, as it co-produces Ricardo Gómez’s ‘A Family’ with El Desorden Crea, headed by “Elite” creator Carlos Montero, and Lágrimas Films.
*Spain’s Amore Cine has joined Chile’s Maquina on ‘Dæmon’ by Valeria Hofmann, the Sundance-winning helmer of short “AliEN0089.”
*Argentina’s Twins Latin Films has boarded Natalia Smirnoff’s “Roger on the Loose,” the latest from the Berlin (“Puzzle”) and Sundance (“Lock Charmer”) selected helmer. “Roger” is also produced by Argentina’s Año Cero, Spain’s Fasten Films and Mexico’s Maria Jose Cordova of Somos Maravillosa
*Chile’s Clara Films has also set up an outpost in Madrid and is boarding its debut pic there, “An Imaginary Kingdom.”
*Chile’s Quijote Films, behind Cannes Un Certain Regard top prize laureate “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” has boarded San Sebastian-winning Brazilian doc ‘Mariana x BHP’ by Renan Flumian.
*Again from Chile, highly active at Iberseries, Chile’s Juntos Films has forged a strategic partnership with Bandada, the new label of former Fabula exec Daniel Castell. The move is aimed bolster its scripted content slate for platforms across the Spanish-speaking market worldwide.
*Portugal’s Caracol Studios and Spain’s TV ON are joining forces on thriller series “Past Waters,” an eight-part thriller centering on Lisbon detective Pilar Benamor.
*Madrid-based Champions’ producer Películas Pendelton has teamed with MiraChechu on adult animation “Saturday Sabadete.”
*Indie Eye, Spain’s EFD Studios, Mexico’s AG Media are teaming to produce docudrama Series “Columbus: Myths and Origins.”
