At MIPCOM 2024, two prominent executive of content from major broadcasters in Spain and Brazil, Alex Medeiros of Globo and José Pastor of RTVE, shared insights into their programming strategies and the challenges faced by public broadcasters in today’s media landscape.
Medeiros, Globo’s Head of Content, highlighted the broadcaster’s triple strategy aimed at balancing traditional linear TV with the growing demand for VOD (Video on Demand). He stressed the importance of focusing on daily series to establish consistent viewership outside prime time. ‘If it works, it’s gonna work forever’, he explained, emphasizing that successful daily series can create long-lasting connections with audiences. While Globo prioritizes premium dramas for prime-time slots, Medeiros noted that they aim to maintain fresh perspectives without replicating high-concept series typically found on streaming platforms. «Everything that works in free-to-air is gonna work as VOD service, but it’s not the opposite,» he said, citing examples like La Casa de Papel, which thrived after transitioning to Netflix.
On the other hand, José Pastor, RTVE‘s Head of Film and Fiction, discussed the cultural and historical responsibilities of Spanish television, referencing Ena, a royal biopic about Queen Victoria Eugenia. The series, described as a «premium event» drama, reflects RTVE‘s strategy of creating shorter, high-impact series rather than long-running productions. «For us, it’s more important to have an event,» Pastor remarked, emphasizing the need for easily communicable, limited-time content in today’s media environment. He also touched on the ongoing series Las Abogadas, a legal drama based on real events from Spain’s late 1970s.
