Spain’s unscripted sector has found a new reality. Once a secondary player in the unscripted arena, the country now boasts formats that dominate primetime and travel abroad.
Two forces explain the momentum: The Mediapro Studio’s leap into global exports and RTVE’s stronger bet on entertainment, reshaping public TV’s role in unscripted.
At the same time, Atresmedia keeps ratings locked with quizzes and celebrity contests, Mediaset has doubled down on reality, and streamers such as Prime Video are testing fresh formats. The result is a versatile, competitive and suddenly export-ready market.
Spain’s new international presence rests above all on the Mediapro Studio, which was known for drama, but is now using unscripted to drive growth. “El Conquistador,” born on Basque broadcaster EiTB and now in its 21st season, is traveling to the U.S. via TelevisaUnivision. Quiz juggernaut “Atrápame si puedes,” with more than 10,000 episodes across regional channels, is being packaged for a U.S. audience as “Catch Me If You Can,” with seasoned producer-showrunner Anthony Carbone.
“Formats that travel need three elements: undeniable local success, a strong bible and solid production systems. And Spain’s regional broadcasters have been our creative labs — big enough to dare with survival or quiz formats, small enough to refine them until they’re export-ready,” explains Amparo Castellano, head of nonfiction at the Mediapro Studio.
The company’s nonfiction slate is expanding with survival competition series “Salvaxe,” for Galician net TVG, social-factual comedy “400” for À Punt, nostalgia-driven “Timeless” for EiTB, Gen Z music contest “Ztanda” and digital-native adventure “Call Me When You Get There” for 3Cat. For Castellano, alliances add a crucial dimension: “Partnerships with players like TelevisaUnivision are scale accelerators and a seal of approval for Spanish creativity.”
She stresses that Spanish IP is not chasing global blockbuster ratings but aiming for adaptability: “Our shows are robust, mid-cost and flexible. That’s a sweet spot for many buyers.” Public broadcaster RTVE is heavily investing in unscripted. “MasterChef” and “Maestros de la Costura” remain mainstays, while revivals such as “Trivial Pursuit” and “Cifras y Letras” add a nostalgic edge.
La Revuelta
The real push, however, is in fresh formats. “Cuánto, cuánto, cuánto” blends quiz and comedy. Already in its sophomore run, “La Revuelta” mixes humor and social bite. “Ordena tu vida,” adapted from All3Media’s BAFTA-nominated “Sort Your Life Out,” is casting families, while “Hasta el fin del mundo,” from BBC’s “Race Across the World,” delivers adventure across Latin America.
“International formats bring validation, but the real goal is to personalize them to Spain while also nurturing originals that mirror our society,” says Miriam García Corrales, head of entertainment at RTVE’s TVE. “Entertainment must amuse and deliver ratings, but it also has to carry values of diversity, respect and creativity.” That philosophy marks a shift: RTVE is no longer a cautious buyer but an active player in Spain’s unscripted boom.
Private broadcasters remain central. Atresmedia dominates mainstream slots with “El Hormiguero,” “Tu cara me suena,” “Pasapalabra” and “El Desafío.” Mediaset España thrives on reality tentpoles such as “Supervivientes,” “Gran Hermano” and “La Isla de las Tentaciones.” Its Cuatro channel adds investigative factuals like “Territorio Pampliega” and “Proyecto Sistiaga,” while Mediaset Infinity leans into niches from MMA with “Warrior Games” to true crime with “New York Killers.”
Streamers are stepping in. Prime Video launched Season 2 of “Operación Triunfo” Sept. 15, consolidating its role in digital music talent. Days later, it announced “Esto no es un dating,” its first Spanish dating format.
Movistar Plus+ has opted for premium factual with titles like “Las Berrocal.” Spain’s main advantage is its versatility: survival, talent, quiz, comedy and social formats that travel well, cost less than English-language rivals and adapt across platforms. That’s becoming an attractive buyer proposition.
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