BBC Studios expands Iberia operation with new Madrid team
September 9, 2026 12.06 Europe/London By Julian Clover


BBC Studios is expanding its channels and streaming business in Spain and Portugal by establishing a dedicated Iberia operation in Madrid and appointing David Urgell Pérez as Country Manager.

The move supports the company’s growing presence in the region, where it operates the BBC Player streaming service alongside six FAST channels: BBC Top Gear, BBC Series, BBC Lifestyle, BBC History, BBC Food and BBC Earth.

BBC Studios said its services currently reach more than 16 million viewers in Spain through operators including Movistar Plus, Vodafone, Digi and MasOrange, as well as connected TV and FAST platforms including LG Channels, Pluto TV, Rakuten TV, Samsung TV Plus, TCL Channel, Titan OS and Xiaomi TV+.

Based in Madrid, Urgell Pérez will lead the commercial strategy for Spain and Portugal, focusing on expanding distribution, developing advertising partnerships and growing BBC Studios’ channels and streaming business across the region.

Supporting him are Cristina Miquel, appointed Head of Marketing, and Carlos Méndez, who becomes Head of Programming. Miquel will oversee brand and audience growth, while Méndez will manage content and programming strategy for the Iberian market.

BBC Studios said the local team will work closely with platform and advertising partners to develop new commercial opportunities for its portfolio of streaming services and FAST channels.

Arran Tindall, President of EMEA for Global Channels & Streaming at BBC Studios, described Spain as one of the company’s fastest-growing markets in Southern Europe, citing strong demand for British programming and opportunities to expand audience reach, distribution and advertising partnerships.

Urgell Pérez said the focus would be on accelerating growth across FAST and streaming while broadening audience reach and creating new opportunities for advertisers and platform partners.

The new channels and streaming operation complements BBC Studios’ existing activities in Spain, which include content sales and its ownership of production company Brutal Media, producer of scripted and unscripted programming for broadcasters and streaming platforms.