Following a significant internal restructuring that merged its production and sales divisions, BBC Studios is rapidly expanding its scripted footprint across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. Moving beyond its established reputation as a distributor of major non-scripted formats, the London-based studio is now positioning itself as a localized production engine. During a recent presentation, the company detailed a strategy focused on operating decentralized production bases capable of developing both adaptations of UK intellectual property and entirely original, homegrown narratives.
The overarching goal, as articulated by Matt Forde, President of BBC Studios Global Productions, is to function as a full-service creative partner in individual markets rather than merely a licensing entity. The company now operates ten production bases globally, effectively functioning as independent mini-studios embedded within their respective territories. This localized approach allows the studio to foster authentic stories that resonate domestically while maintaining the potential for international distribution.
The strategy’s execution is evident in the studio’s recent activities in Spain, a market that has become highly attractive due to its diverse landscapes and robust tax incentive structures. Following the acquisition of the Spanish production company Brutal Media, BBC Studios has gained a significant foothold in the region. Alonso Laporta, Head of Scripted at Brutal Media, highlighted that the integration provides the Spanish team with access to a vast portfolio of successful titles, enabling a dual approach of developing both original projects and catalog-driven adaptations. Furthermore, the association with the recognized BBC brand has facilitated stronger relationships with local creative talent and opened new avenues for collaboration.
A similar strategic shift is occurring in Germany, where the studio has had a long-standing presence but is now aggressively pursuing scripted projects. Eva Holtmann, Head of Scripted at BBC Studios Germany, pointed to recent successes such as the local adaptation of Ghosts, which has already secured a second season, and Chabos, a comedy loosely inspired by the UK series Ladhood. Demonstrating the flexibility of this model, a female-centric spin-off of Chabos, titled Babes, is currently in development. Holtmann emphasized that while adaptations provide a solid foundation, the German hub is actively pursuing original concepts tailored to local tastes.
In France, the approach is similarly anchored in building enduring relationships within the creative community. Lea Gimonneau-Sorrel, a scripted series producer for BBC Studios France, explained that the territory’s strategy is fundamentally talent-based. The focus remains on identifying and collaborating with both emerging and established voices, cultivating partnerships that extend to local broadcasters and streaming platforms. Across these European hubs, BBC Studios is leveraging its global infrastructure to empower local teams, resulting in a diversified and growing slate of localized scripted content.
