Why BBC Studios Hired a Channels & Streaming Iberia Team: Execs Outline Growth Opportunities

BBC Studios , the commercial arm of U.K. Broadcasting public broadcaster, is doubling down on Spain and Portugal, recently making three appointments to expand its operations in the countries and launching a dedicated Madrid hub for its channels and streaming business.

The Channels & Streaming Iberia team is tasked with supporting the company’s growing FAST, streaming and advertising operations across Spain and Portugal.

Leading the charge will be country manager David Urgell Pérez. He will oversee the commercial strategy across the region, expanding relationships with distribution, platform and advertising partners, while also identifying new business opportunities. He previously served as vp of distribution and partnerships at SkyShowtime after holding senior roles at Paramount and Fox International Channels. Most recently, he ran his own consultancy, Neos Media. Related Stories Movies Brad Bird on Finally Making 'Ray Gunn,' His Live-Action Run and When Things Turned Political at Disney Movies Anime Director Masaaki Yuasa Set to Curate Toronto Fest Classic Film Showcase

The two other hires for the Iberia hub are Carlos Méndez, who serves as head of programming, and Cristina Miquel as head of marketing.

THR checked in with the three about BBC Studios’ upside opportunity for Spain and Portugal.

The announcement of your new role mentioned that “Spain is one of our fastest-growing markets in Southern Europe, with strong demand for premium British content.” What audience segments and trends in Spain are driving this interest in British programming? DAVID URGELL PÉREZ We see interest across a wide range of genres, and the breadth and depth of our content allows us to appeal to very different audiences. We currently have six FAST channels in Spain covering a broad range of interests, while our extensive library also enables us to target highly engaged audience communities around genres such as natural history, motoring, food, lifestyle, drama and factual entertainment. Spain has become one of BBC Studios’ most developed digital markets in EMEA [Europe, Middle East and Africa], with six FAST channels and BBC Player now reaching more than 16 million viewers through a growing network of streaming, connected TV and telecommunications partners. What we’re seeing is a growing appetite for curated, easy-to-access viewing experiences built around trusted brands and high-quality content. Audiences increasingly want services that help them discover programs they know they can trust, rather than having to navigate an endless choice of content. Historically, BBC content has had a strong reputation for quality in Spain, with programs appearing for many years on major national and regional broadcasters such as RTVE, Antena 3, TV3 and Mediaset. Are there any audience groups or new distribution and advertising opportunities that you see as key areas to tap into? URGELL PÉREZ We continue to see significant opportunities in both audience growth and commercial partnerships. As FAST matures, we believe the next phase of growth will come from a combination of greater audience engagement, stronger platform partnerships and more targeted advertising opportunities.