The shift to main character energy
If you haven't been paying attention to what’s coming out of Spain lately, you’re missing out. Movistar Plus, the massive Spanish pay TV and SVOD operator, is currently on a serious winning streak. After picking up top prizes at Series Mania for "Querer" and "Celeste," plus nabbing two Oscar nominations for "Sirāt," the studio is officially in its peak era. But they aren't just sitting back and vibing; they're pivoting hard to keep that momentum going.
Under the new leadership of CEO Alfonso Gómez Palacio and contents director Juan Andrés García Romero, the studio is laser-focused on reaching younger viewers. The proof is in the pudding: their new series "Many People Need to Die," a comedy about Millennial angst from creator Victoria Martín, is a total hit. It’s lowkey becoming their secret weapon for bringing in new subscribers, and a second season is already locked in.
Why it’s giving prestige TV
Movistar Plus isn't just throwing random content at the wall to see what sticks. They’re leaning into co-productions and giving their creators massive creative freedom. Diego San Jose, the creator behind "Celeste," confirmed that the studio actively encouraged the show to have "light and shade" rather than just pushing for cheap laughs.
They’re also diversifying their roster by bringing in fresh voices, like series co-creator Isabel Peña, who is making her TV debut with the sex-club crime thriller "The Castle." Alongside titles like "Killing a Bear"—a wild murder mystery set in the Pyrenees—these shows are taking traditional crime drama tropes and absolutely flipping them on their head. They’re basically using the genre to dissect social tension and polarized conflict, which is a major W for storytelling.
The roadmap ahead
The strategy seems to be working, so they’re doubling down. Back in July, the company announced it would increase its annual output from eight to 16 original Spanish series. In a market where everyone is feeling the pressure, Movistar Plus is betting that high-quality storytelling is the only way to keep us entertained.
Why it matters
Movistar Plus is proving that you don't have to sacrifice artistic depth to get big engagement numbers. By backing young auteurs and doubling their production output, they’re positioning themselves to dominate the global streaming conversation—and honestly? Say less. We're ready for the binge.
