Fernando Jerez joins Fremantle Spain to run new factual label En Cero Coma

Fremantle Spain has hired industry veteran Fernando Jerez to head a new production arm dedicated to factual and documentary programme, called En Cero Coma Producciones.

Fernando Jerez

The launch of the new label is part of Fremantle’s wider global strategy to grow its footprint in the high-end factual space and follows the creation of UFA Documentary in Germany earlier this year.

Reporting to Fremantle Spain CEO Nathalie Garcia, Jerez will work with Fremantle’s global head of documentaries Mandy Chang, the former BBC Storyville editor who moved to Fremantle earlier this year.

Jerez joins Fremantle Spain from Movistar+ where he oversaw non-fiction original productions and launched linear channel #0.

During his tenure he also took on management of all exclusive entertainment, series and movie channels for the platform.

Prior to his time at Movistar+, Jerez was responsible for setting up operations in Spain and Portugal for Discovery and launched their free-to-air channel DMAX. His career has also seen him work in senior positions at LaSexta, Cuatro, Antena 3 and Telemadrid.

Jerez said: “I have the great opportunity to start a new label in an amazing international company that understands the values of creativity. At En Cero Coma Producciones, we will put every effort into sharing great stories of our country that may be of interest anywhere on the planet with clear goals: to add talent, discover new creators and new views.”

In related news, Fremantle’s distribution arm has sealed deals for The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For (3×60’) around the world.

Amazon Prime Video has acquired the series in Australia, Canada and New Zealand while Disney has picked it up for the Fox channel in Belgium and the Netherlands. NBCUniversal-owned Hayu in the UK and Ireland has also come on board.

Produced by Industrial Media’s The Intellectual Property Corporation for US-based streaming service Hulu, The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For launches in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand today.

The docuseries was previously announced as part of the Fremantle autumn distribution slate of factual programming. Multi-regional deals have also been secured with the likes of free-to-air channel eTV (Africa), Nordic streaming service Viaplay (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland) and Doku TV (Eastern Europe). Other broadcasters that have acquired the series include Cosmote TV (Greece).