Television Fiction Series in Spain: Keys to Success for a New Audiovisual Landscape

The new cycle of television fiction in Spain, which has remarkable media and audience repercussions beyond its borders, is motivated by the implementation and subsequent development of subscription platforms (Subscription Video on Demand, SVOD) in this country. As a result, fiction series now play the role of cultural framework, on which most of the national identities are based. Thanks to a radical change in the media landscape, these television productions have become evident frames of reference for contemporary society. Starting from this scenario, this article studies the keys to the success of Spanish serials that, since the implementation of platforms such as Netflix, have increased their international projection. For this purpose, a double work methodology is presented: the detailed study of sources is followed by in-depth interviews with active professionals of Spanish fiction. The experts indicate as growth drivers: the competitiveness of productions in terms of quality and invoice, the low production cost, the geolocation of the country, the language, the ability to tell universal stories, and creative freedom.