Mediapro partners with Medyapim to launch Spanish-language productions

The Mediapro Studio has entered a collaboration with Medyapim to launch a new joint venture company dedicated to Spanish-language content production. “At a time when content knows no borders, the enormous global success of Medyapim’s’s productions  is a recognition of their extraordinary level of quality. At The Mediapro Studio we consider this alliance an opportunity to combine the creative talent of both companies and develop high-value content not only for Spanish-speaking markets, but for the world over,” said Laura Fernández Espeso, CEO of The Mediapro Studio. 

The partnership comes as Turkish series dominate networks in Spain and across the world. The as-yet-to-be-named j.v. between two of international’s production pacemakers will see the partners making Spanish-language originals and adaptations of hit Turkish and other country dramas, as well as further content assets from Medyapim, for distribution in Spain, Latin America and the world. 

Dubbed into Spanish and entitled “Infiel,” Season 1 of Medyapim’s “A Woman Scorned” has scored a 15% share in Sunday primetime on Antena 3, proving the most-watched TV drama of any nationality in Spain during the first quarter 2022. The runner up is “Alba,” a Spanish remake of “Fatmagul,” another Turkish modern classic. In Latin America, where Chile’s Mega first bowed a Turkish series in 2014, renamed “Las Mil y Una Noches,” Turkish series have seen fulsome sales and swept ratings at multiple broadcast networks across the region, including on Viacom-owned Telefe in Argentina. Sold to more than 40 countries by early 2020, “Mother” won an award for most exported Turkish series of 2018 from Turkey’s Assn. of Service Exporters.

Spanish-language telenovelas are also scoring huge audiences on OTT platforms such as Netflix, Colombia’s 2021 “Café con aroma de mujer,” Season 1 ranking as the sixth most-watched non-English language TV series ever at the streamer. “While enhancing our global penetration through Turkish series, it is the right time to unite our power for the development and production of programs in the Spanish language with a right partner who has proven their global success and talent in the industry,” said Fatih Aksoy, chairman of the Medyapim Group.

Still in full-on expansion mode, and producing content out of 24 offices around the world, The Mediapro Studio ’s j.v. with Medyapim forms part of the launch of a new business unit dedicated to daily soaps, other types of long-running series and TV movies. TMS has hired Tirso Calero and other writers experienced in the program types, Fernández Espeso told Variety. The j.v. looks set to be based out of Spain and Turkey and will make content with Spanish cast and crew mixing creatives – writers, directors and producers – from both countries, as The Mediapro Studiomimics the strategy of Medyapim, Fernández Espeso added.