Movistar plus+ snags sony tv series, including berlinale buzz hit 'lord of the flies'
Movistar Plus+ is bolstering its streaming arsenal with a significant acquisition: exclusive Spanish premiere rights for six Sony Pictures Television series. This move signals a renewed push by Telefónica’s streaming platform to compete for subscribers with premium, internationally recognized content—a strategy underscored by recent rights grabs like Secret Service.
A lineup ripe for binge-watching
The acquisition isn’t just about quantity; it's about quality. Among the six series, Lord of the Flies stands out, having generated considerable buzz after impressive showings at festivals like the Berlinale. This adaptation of William Golding’s classic allegorical novel, exploring the descent into savagery among a group of stranded schoolboys, is primed to capture a wide audience.
Beyond Lord of the Flies, the deal includes American Hostage, starring Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Severance) in a tense thriller set in the 1970s. Hamm portrays a radio journalist forced to confront a dangerous kidnapper, a role Giovanni Ribisi (known for his unsettling performances) portrays with unsettling intensity. Expect a gripping cat-and-mouse game with high stakes.
The roster also features Up to No Good, headlined by three-time Emmy winner Glenn Close as a ruthless assassin, and The Lady, a biographical miniseries about Jane Andrews, a royal employee convicted of murder—a story sure to intrigue fans of historical dramas and true crime. Rounding out the acquisition are The Other Sister Bennet, a fresh take on the beloved Austen novel, and The Miniature Wife, a dark comedy blending drama with a bizarre premise—a couple’s relationship unravels when the wife is inexplicably shrunk to miniature size.
Subscriber Perks: Movistar Plus+ offers a variety of subscription tiers, starting at €9.99 per month, with annual options including two free months (€99.90) and a special offer for young subscribers (€39.00 with eight free months). These acquisitions clearly demonstrate Movistar's commitment to offering compelling content across both its fiber and OTT platforms.
While a specific launch date remains unannounced, industry insiders predict a staggered rollout over the coming months, continually enriching the Movistar Plus+ catalog. This aggressive content strategy positions Movistar Plus+ as a key player in the increasingly competitive Spanish streaming landscape, signaling a long-term investment in premium, internationally-sourced series.