Mediapro allocates 20% budget to Spanish cross-border co-productions

Mediapro’s studio group – Globomedia, 100 Balas, Big Bang Media and Cimarrón Cine – revealed a new strategy at the 6th Iberseries & Platino Industria conference in Madrid. The plan is to push Spanish‑made stories abroad by pairing strong creators with local narratives and building cross‑border partnerships. The aim is to turn regional hits into global brands and secure a larger share of the streaming market.

Spanish independent production has grown fast in the last decade, but distribution still lags behind Hollywood. Mediapro has been a key player in that scene, producing series like “La Casa de Papel” and “Money Heist” that have become worldwide sensations. The Iberseries & Platino Industria event, which attracts producers, distributors and broadcasters from across Europe, is a natural platform for such announcements. The company’s move comes as global streaming giants are increasingly looking for fresh, high‑quality content from outside the U.S. and U.K., and as European co‑production rules make cross‑border deals more attractive.

The strategy will see Mediapro invest roughly 20 % of its annual budget in creator‑driven projects that feature Spanish talent and settings. It will also seek co‑production agreements with partners in France, Italy and Germany, and it has already signed preliminary deals with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video for two new series. One of the projects, a crime drama set in Seville, will be produced by 100 Balas and Cimarrón Cine with a co‑funding share from a French distributor. Executives say the focus on local voices will give the shows authenticity that global audiences crave. Industry observers note that Mediapro’s approach mirrors that of other European studios that have successfully sold local stories to a worldwide audience, such as Germany’s ARD and France’s Canal+.

Looking ahead, Mediapro plans to launch its first cross‑border co‑produced series by late 2025, with a slate of five new projects in development. If the strategy works, it could create hundreds of jobs in Spain’s creative sector and position the country as a major exporter of TV content. The move also signals to other Spanish studios that global success is achievable by combining strong local storytelling with strategic international partnerships.