HBO hires commissioner for Spain

CONTENT LONDON: HBO Europe has appointed a commissioning editor for original programming in Spain, a day after its parent company launched a joint-venture streaming service there with Vodafone.

Miguel Salvat

Miguel Salvat will take up the Madrid-based role in January, becoming responsible for all of HBO Europe’s original programming in the country it was revealed today at the Drama Summit arm of C21’s Content London event.

The experienced executive started his career at WBZ-TV in Boston before he was part of the team that successfully launched pay TV into Spain with Canal+ in 1990.

He spent time as general manager of the Paramount Comedy Channel before returning to Canal+ as director of content. In 2010, he was appointed director of premium channels for Movistar.

HBO Europe has been expanding its original productions in recent months, stepping up its efforts in Scandinavia, the Czech Republic and Poland.

Antony Root, executive VP of original programming and production at HBO Europe, said: “I am thrilled that an industry professional of Miguel’s stature will be joining us. His experience and knowledge of pay television in Spain is second to none. He has a strong relationship with the local creative community and a deep understanding of the essential qualities that make HBO’s programming unique.

“I am very excited by his appointment and look forward to working closely with him to create distinctive original programming for our subscribers in Spain.”

Yesterday HBO launched HBO España in the territory, a joint venture from the premium US cablenet and UK telecoms firm Vodafone.

The streaming service, which was announced earlier this year, features HBO series including Game of Thrones alongside dramas, movies, documentaries and family content from third parties such as Disney and Nickelodeon.