Banijay Exec Unveils Spanish Content's Operatic Appeal, Global Success

In an interview ahead of his appearance at the Iberseries & Platino Industria event in Madrid, Banijay's content partnerships executive Steve Matthews discusses the global success of Spanish-language content and the company's strategy for collaborating with Spanish production companies.

Matthews explains that Banijay, as the largest scripted producer in Europe, is actively engaged with 60 production labels and creating over 1,000 hours of content. The company's approach is to maintain the creative identities and market expertise of its local partners, while providing support and connections as needed.

Regarding the rise of Spanish content, Matthews highlights its "operatic" storytelling style, which he believes resonates with audiences seeking less "pretentious" and more "brash" narratives. He notes that Spanish shows often start with a bold, direct approach, unlike the more gradual character development seen in some English-language dramas.

Banijay's Spanish production partners include Pokeepsie Films, known for horror and psychological thrillers; Diagonal TV, which has produced premium content like The Patients of Dr. García; Dlo Producciones, which excels in genre programming; and Portcabo, which creates well-crafted crime shows. Matthews praises the confidence and "naughtiness" of these Spanish production companies.

As Iberseries & Platino Industria focuses on co-productions, Matthews acknowledges that while there is room for more collaboration between Spain, Europe, and Latin America, the linguistic and cultural differences require a nuanced approach. Nonetheless, Banijay is actively fostering cross-border projects to capitalize on the global appeal of Spanish-language content.