New Business Structure for Movistar Plus+

Why It Matters

The reorganization positions Movistar Plus+ to negotiate more effectively with dominant OTT and sports rights players, potentially improving its content slate and subscriber growth in a fiercely competitive market.

Key Takeaways

• Integrated rights acquisition and partner management under Business division.
• Partnerships Division now reports to Business Management head Enric Rojas.
• Fiction Division retains editorial control over film and series.
• Strategy targets multi‑product partners like Netflix, Disney, Amazon.
• Aims to boost negotiating power in global audiovisual market.

Pulse Analysis

Movistar Plus+ is confronting a pivotal shift in the European audiovisual landscape, where traditional pay‑TV operators are increasingly pressured by global streaming giants. By consolidating rights acquisition with partner management, Telefónica aims to streamline decision‑making and reduce internal silos, a move that mirrors similar restructurings at rivals like Sky and Canal+. This alignment not only cuts operational friction but also equips the platform with a unified front when approaching multi‑product partners that bundle fiction, OTT, and sports rights.

The new hierarchy places Enric Rojas at the helm of both Business and Sports Management, granting him direct oversight of the Partnerships Division. This centralization is expected to enhance bargaining leverage with heavyweight content owners—Amazon, Apple, Disney, Netflix, and others—by presenting a single negotiating entity rather than fragmented units. Meanwhile, the Fiction Division, led by Jorge Pezzi, continues to curate film and series selections, preserving creative independence while benefiting from the broader strategic framework. The restructuring signals a proactive response to the convergence of content and distribution channels that defines today’s market.

Industry analysts view the shift as a bellwether for other regional platforms grappling with similar challenges. As consumers gravitate toward bundled, on‑demand experiences, operators that can negotiate comprehensive packages stand to capture higher ARPU and reduce churn. Movistar Plus+'s integrated model could serve as a template for mid‑size broadcasters seeking to punch above their weight against global OTT behemoths, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics across Europe’s pay‑TV sector.