Movistar Plus Expands Into YA Comedy and Smart Social Issue Dramas

Over the past two years, no single company has done more to propel Spanish television and film onto the world stage than Movistar Plus. As the premier pay television and SVOD operator in Spain, the network has built an impressive momentum. Since 2025 alone, Movistar Plus Originals have claimed top honors at Series Mania with critically acclaimed projects like 'Querer' and 'Celeste,' secured two Academy Award nominations for 'Sirāt,' and positioned 'La Bola Negra' as a major contender at Cannes. Furthermore, international recognition has poured in, including International Emmy nominations for Alberto Rodríguez’s 'The Anatomy of a Moment' and a best actor nod for Javier Cámara in 'Jakarta.'

These remarkable achievements naturally raise questions about the platform's future trajectory. Answers are readily found in its latest slate of Mipcom titles, which highlight a strategic pivot directed by a new management team consisting of CEO Alfonso Gómez Palacio and contents director Juan Andrés García Romero. A central pillar of this new strategy is reaching out to younger audiences without sacrificing the high-end production values and narrative depth that have become the hallmark of the brand.

Among the standout projects in this new wave is 'Many People Need to Die,' the series debut of YouTube-podcast comedian Victoria Martín. Functioning as a withering, satirical take on Millennial angst and friendship, the comedy has resonated strongly with viewers. According to García Romero, the show has proved to be a powerful driver for audience acquisition and new subscriptions, prompting Movistar Plus to already greenlight a second season.

Simultaneously, the platform is doubling down on high-stakes drama and regional social conflicts. Shot against the breathtaking backdrop of Catalonia’s Aran Valley, 'Killing a Bear' is a fact-based wild bear murder mystery created by Jorge and Alberto Sánchez-Cabezudo. The thriller exposes deep-seated social friction within the high Pyrenees and marks the fourth successful co-production between Movistar Plus and France’s Arte France, demonstrating the network's commitment to robust international partnerships.

Co-production remains a cornerstone of Movistar Plus's broader expansion model. Season two of 'Celeste,' another major buzz title, is developed alongside The Mediapro Studio, with international sales managed externally. This collaborative approach allows the operator to share financial risks while scaling up creative ambition and global distribution potential.

The global breakout of Movistar Plus is fundamentally rooted in its close relationships with Spain's top creative talents. By granting auteurs a high degree of creative freedom and competitive budgets comparable to French standards, the platform empowers creators to execute their exact visions. Diego San Jose, the creator of 'Celeste,' noted that rather than pushing for a broad, gag-heavy comedy, the network encouraged nuance, light, and shade in the storytelling.

This winning formula has yielded concrete operational shifts. In July, Movistar Plus announced it would double its annual output of original Spanish series from eight to sixteen titles, emphasizing that original programming is the primary driver of customer acquisition and user engagement.

To sustain this increased volume, Movistar Plus is actively cultivating emerging talent alongside its veteran collaborators. An illustrative example is 'The Castle,' which marks the series co-creation debut of Isabel Peña, the longtime co-writer for acclaimed director Rodrigo Sorogoyen. By blending fresh perspectives with proven production excellence, Movistar Plus ensures its ongoing dominance in the evolving global streaming landscape.