HBO Spain hires original programming chief

HBO is preparing original programming for its new Spanish service and has hired Miguel Salvat from Movistar to lead the charge.

Salvat will oversee original programming out of the Spanish market, reporting to Antony Root, executive VP, original programming and production, HBO Europe.

“I am thrilled that an industry professional of Miguel’s stature will be joining us,’ Root said. “His experience and knowledge of pay television in Spain is second to none.

“I am very excited by his appointment and look forward to working closely with him to create distinctive original programming for our subscribers in Spain.”

Salvat is an industry veteran having worked in the US and in Spain at Canal+ and Paramount Comedy.

Most recently he was running premium channels at Movistar, which is owned by telco giant Telefonica.

HBO, which launched yesterday in Spain, has an exclusive deal with rival telco Vodafone.

Telefonica has a streaming service as part of its Movistar offering, and Netflix has a promotional deal with rival telco Orange, setting up a fierce three-way battle in pay TV streaming in Spain.

Netflix, meanwhile, previously had a deal with Vodafone.

Salvat starts at HBO next January.