Sony’s Toro has pulled out of Spain and is focused on Italy

Sony Pictures Television-owned producer Toro has pulled out of Spain and, with the same senior management team in place, is now concentrating its efforts on the Italian market.

The Spanish outpost was actually closed last year meaning Sony no longer has a production office in Spain, but contrary to reports the indie has not folded and boss Marco Tombolini continues to run a refocused Toro in Italy.

There was allegedly friction between Toro management and Telecinco, the Medisaet-backed free-to-air broadcaster. This reportedly culminated in management at the broadcaster refusing to work with Toro, a situation made worse for Sony given that Telecinco also now controls Cuatro and has a significant stake in the Digital+ pay TV platform.

Tombolini is now managing director, Toro Produzioni, Italy and Pasquale Romano is creative director. While Spain proved problematic, the pair have an excellent track record in the Italian market and lay claim to over a dozen local commissions including Stand Out From the Crowd, I Love Italy, The Duellists and Dating in the Dark.

Toro was formed in October 2009 as a Spain and Italy focused business, based in Madrid and Rome respectively. Tombolini joined from the Italian division of Endemol – which is part-owned by Mediaset – where he was head of development and entertainment.