Focus on Spain: RTVE looks to lock down studio deals

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has vowed to renew its deals with the major Hollywood studios despite fierce competition from its commercial rivals.

Santiago Gonzalez, director general, RTVE said: “We’d like to continue the agreements with the major Hollywood studios. The agreements are as solid as we can make them but they are not [guaranteed] because Antena 3 and Telecinco have deep pockets.”

The latest Superman movie just aired on its RTVE’s main channel with a 17% audience share.

However, as well as tying up Hollywood content, the broadcaster, is also boosting its local production with series including Red Eagle and Isabelle.

Head of fiction Fernando Lopez Puig said that the public broadcaster is looking to use similar production techniques as those used by the US studios.

“We’re looking to do this in a more North American way with more stars,” he said.

This article is part of a week-long series looking at developments in the Spanish TV market. TBI’s January issue will focus on the Spanish market and be published in English and Spanish.