WBD rejigs operations in Southern Europe as VP of Spanish originals Miguel Salvat exits

30 Coins

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD)’s exec shake-up across Europe continues, with its VP & commissioning editor of original content in Spain departing amid a rejig of the company’s operations.

Miguel Salvat had been at HBO for the past seven years, working on shows including well-travelled 30 Monedas (aka 30 Coins) and Patria.

He will step down ahead of the launch of Max in the country next year, with WBD now seeking a single exec to oversee scripted and unscripted originals in Spain and Italy.

The news was confirmed in a note to staff sent this evening by Laura Carafoli, WBD’s SVP of content networks & streaming productions, who takes interim charge in Spain.

“For some time now, we have been looking for a person to take charge of local production in Italy, while Spain operated with different teams for scripted and unscripted production,” Carafoli wrote.

Miguel Salvat

“Now, with the upcoming launch of Max in Spain and Portugal, I have been discussing with Miguel Salvat, head of original content in Spain, the best way to face the future taking into account the current situation and the local production strategy in the context of EMEA territories.

“We have come to the conclusion that the ideal is for Miguel to leave his current position at the company. A new person will take over this new expanded role, leading original production in Italy and Spain for scripted and unscripted projects.”

Carafoli praised the contribution of Salvat, who joined HBO in 2016 from Movistar. He had previously reported into HBO Europe’s Antony Root, whose team was disbanded last year after WBD slashed local productions across much of Europe.

“Miguel has had an extraordinary career in this company since he joined HBO Spain, culminating in his most recent success, the second season of 30 Monedas,” Carafoli added.

“But above all, Miguel established HBO Spain, and HBO Max later, as a reference brand to local productions with titles such as Patria, Salvar al Rey and Dolores. I want to thank Miguel for his excellence at work and his commitment and wish him the best for the future.”

The exit of Salvat, whose next move is not yet known, had been expected and follows the recent departures of several WBD execs in Europe, most recently German duo Anke Greifeneder and Hannes Heyelmann.

Heyelmann took up the role last summer, working as one of six execs overseeing Europe under fellow Turner alum, Priya Dogra, who subsequently announced her exit from WBD in August 2023.

WBD’s international chief Gerhard Zeiler then outlined his new-look team at the start of October, with Alessandro Araimo retaining oversight of Southern Europe (Italy and Iberia).