MediaPro
- Founded
- 1994-01-01 in Barcelona, Spain
- Headquarters
- Barcelona, Spain
GRUP MEDIAPRO is a Spanish multimedia communications group founded in April 1994 in Barcelona. Starting as a four-person cultural event organizer, it has grown into a European leader in audiovisual content integration, production, and distribution, employing approximately 7,000 people across 50 offices in 28 countries. The group operates through five core business units covering content creation (The Mediapro Studio), technical broadcasting, immersive experiences, rights management, and channel operation. It produces over 25,000 productions annually, manages up to 15 television channels for major operators like ESPN and LaLiga, and owns one of the world’s largest fleets of mobile production units. Mediapro’s content has earned two Oscars, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and numerous Goya Awards. Majority-owned by Southwind after the exit of all three founders between 2023 and 2025, the company continues to expand its global footprint, notably through a 2025 strategic alliance with Telemundo Studios for U.S. Hispanic audiences.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
GRUP MEDIAPRO (legal name Mediaproducción, S.L.U.) was founded in April 1994 in Barcelona by Jaume Roures, Tatxo Benet, and Gerard Romy. The company began by organizing cultural events, starting with the Andorra International Jazz Festival, and quickly pivoted to sports production, securing contracts for boxing, tennis, and basketball broadcasting. In December 1997, it launched its first television program, Andalucía Directo, on Canal Sur. A pivotal moment came in December 1998 with a partnership with Audiovisual Sport to manage international distribution rights for Spanish La Liga matches.
Business Model and Core Units
The group is structured around five business units: The Mediapro Studio (content creation, production, and distribution for film, TV, and documentaries), Broadcast Media Services (technical production with one of the world’s largest fleets of mobile units, handling over 25,000 productions annually), Mediapro Brands&Xperiences (immersive experiential spaces such as the Espai Imagina hub in Barcelona), the Rights Division (management of audiovisual rights for sports leagues and events), and the Channels & Platforms Division (operation of up to 15 proprietary TV channels and OTT services for partners like ESPN, LaLiga, and Movistar).
Market Position and Competitors
Mediapro is a dominant player in Spanish and European sports production and rights management, competing with companies like IMG and DAZN. It has produced 17 European football finals over 12 years and secured major contracts including the Canadian Premier League (2019) and Ligue 1/Ligue 2 media rights (2018–2020, later terminated). Its content creation arm, The Mediapro Studio, has earned international acclaim with two Oscars, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and 34 Goya Awards.
Recent Developments and M&A
In 2022, Mediapro acquired Fox Sports Argentina from Disney after regulatory divestiture. It launched and later divested the OneSoccer streaming service in Canada following a 2024 legal dispute with Canadian Soccer Business. Financial challenges from COVID-19 led to termination of the Ligue 1 contract in December 2020 and subsequent debt refinancing in 2022. From 2023 to 2025, all three founders exited: Jaume Roures stepped back in 2023, and President/CEO Tatxo Benet left in October 2025, marking the end of the founder era. The group is now majority-owned by Southwind, with minority stakes held by WPP and founding partners. In 2026, the company entered a workforce reduction agreement affecting 189 positions while launching the Espai Imagina hub. In September 2025, The Mediapro Studio US & Canada formed a strategic alliance with Telemundo Studios to co-develop content for U.S. Hispanic audiences.
Key Products
The Mediapro Studio
Content creation, production, and distribution arm for films, TV series, documentaries, and entertainment formats. Produces over 100 series and has earned 2 Oscars, 2 Golden Globes, 1 BAFTA, and 34 Goya Awards.
Broadcast Media Services
Technical production division operating one of the world’s largest fleets of mobile production units, delivering more than 25,000 productions annually across 16 production centers on 4 continents.
Mediapro Brands&Xperiences
Designs and manages immersive experiential spaces using innovative technology, e.g., the Espai Imagina exhibition hub in Barcelona.
Rights Division
Audiovisual rights management agency that secures and manages media rights for sports leagues, events, and content.
Channels & Platforms Division
Operates up to 15 proprietary television channels and provides channel management services for ESPN, LaLiga, Movistar, and others, including OTT services.
Mediapro US
North American subsidiary offering production, broadcasting, and LED studio services, headquartered in Miami.
Offices & Headcount
7000 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Danny Too
Speaker