ITV Studios Acquires Majority Stake in Plano a Plano

ITV Studios has made a significant move by acquiring a majority stake in Plano a Plano, a leading Spanish scripted production company known for its acclaimed series Valeria.

ITV Studios Acquires Majority Stake in Plano a Plano

ITV Studios has successfully acquired a majority stake in Plano a Plano, a prominent Spanish scripted production company founded in 2011 by owner and producer César Benítez. The company is widely recognized for its hit series Valeria, adapted from the novels by Elísabet Benavent, which has achieved a remarkable position in Netflix’s top 5 most-viewed international dramas worldwide.

Notable Productions and Upcoming Titles

Plano a Plano has produced several notable series, including El Principe for Mediaset, which has been sold to over 60 international markets, and the daily telenovela Servir Y Proteger for TVE. Recently, their new heist series Suspicious Minds premiered on Disney+.

The company is currently in production on two titles for Netflix: the adaptation of All the Truth Behind My Lies (Toda la Verdad de Mis Mentiras), a miniseries based on a novel by Elísabet Benavent, and the psychological thriller Innato, in collaboration with Dynamic Television.

Additionally, they are filming Ella, maldita alma for Mediaset and their first feature film, the historical drama La Tregua, with participation from RTVE and Netflix.

Leadership and Future Vision

While financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, founder Benítez, CEO Emilio Amaré, and executive producer Álvaro Benítez will continue to lead the label from their headquarters in Madrid and Bilbao, reporting to Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production at ITV Studios in London.

Perrin expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “After admiring César, Emilio, and Álvaro’s work for many years, I am thrilled that they have accepted our offer to join ITV Studios. They bring incredible skill, creativity, and relationships. The Spanish-language scripted market continues to grow, presenting numerous opportunities for storytelling on a global scale.”

In their joint statement, Benítez, Amaré, and Benítez emphasized, “This partnership reflects a shared vision for growth and creative excellence, providing resources for the many opportunities ahead to tell more stories on a broader canvas. We are excited about the future with ITV Studios.”

Founders’ Backgrounds

César Benítez began his career in film production, establishing his first company in 1988, which later evolved into BocaBoca Producciones. He has produced notable series such as El Comisario and films like Planta 4ª.

Emilio Amaré started in the financial department of Globomedia and became the financial director of MOS in 2003. He joined Plano a Plano in 2013, becoming general manager and partner in 2016.

Álvaro Benítez joined Plano a Plano as a partner in 2018, initially overseeing Business Development and International Relations, later becoming executive producer for various projects.

ITV Studios stated, “Plano a Plano will complement ITV Studios Iberia in Spain, enhancing our scripted and unscripted content offerings. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in ITV’s strategy to expand its international content business, with Plano a Plano joining a growing list of production companies under our umbrella.”