Mediaset to debut int’l arm at MIPTV

Mediaset España is set to launch its new international arm, Mediterráneo, at MIPTV this April.

Mediterráneo has been formed due to the international market’s growing interest in Spanish content and the expansion of new distribution platforms, according to Mediaset.

The new division will be led by Ghislain Barrois who will take on the role of CEO in addition to his responsibilities as CEO of Mediaset’s Telecinco Cinema. Ana Bustamante will join as managing director.

Mediterráneo will bring its subsidiaries’ entire catalogue to MIPTV. This will include content from Telecinco Cinema, Megamedia, Supersport, La Fábrica de la Tele, Unicorn Content, Mandarina Producciones, Alma Producciones and Alea Media.

Titles brought to MIPTV will include drama Vivir sin Permiso, as well as formats Supervivientes, Salvame and Cuarto Milenio, among others.

Mediaset says it has gained gross revenues of over €90m between 2012 and 2018, with 60% coming from international sales.

In 2018, it says it also finalised movie and fiction distribution agreements with Netflix, Amazon and HBO. In isolation, figures for feature films have doubled, with the sale of feature programming growing €4m per year during 2012-15 to €8m in 2018.

Massimo Musolino, general operations manager of Mediaset España, said: ” Mediterráneo is launched with three very defined objectives: to optimize costs and to increase the income from sales and distribution both in Spain and abroad; to reinforce the access of this network of producers to international formats and markets and promote the development of new initiatives in digital and television productions ”

Barrois, added: “The name we chose for the company, Mediterráneo, explains our intention very well: it refers to the classic ‘Mare Nostrum’, the central sea where a multitude of cultures cross and, likewise, our intention is to position ourselves at the centre of the market and serve a multitude of different operators”.