Mediapro marks 30 years with major sports fund and new studio

Expanding with a billion-dollar sports fund

Grup Mediapro, the dynamic Barcelona-based global holding company renowned for its extensive portfolio including The Mediapro Studio, announced a groundbreaking move: the launch and management of a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) sports rights brokering fund. This ambitious fund aims at bolstering both established and emerging sports, highlighting Mediapro’s continued influence in the industry. The announcement came during the company’s 30th anniversary celebration in Madrid, symbolizing an era of expansive growth.

Celebrating new projects and accomplishments

New English-language slate unveiled

During the festivities, Mediapro showcased significant new projects, offering a glimpse into the future of entertainment. The Mediapro Studio US & Canada revealed its first English-language series and films at the Cannes Mipcom trade fair, featuring top-tier talent such as:

• John Turturro
• Melissa Leo
• Evan Katz (notable for “24”)
• Juan José Campanella (Oscar winner for “The Secret in Their Eyes”)
• Tom Donahue (“Mafia Spies”)
• Anthony Carbone (“The Floor”)
• Matt Hastings (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Fallen”)

These projects represent a strategic push to deepen Mediapro’s footprint in English-speaking markets, indicating a sophisticated understanding of global content trends and consumer demands.

Opening of Mediapro Yonkers Studios

A beacon for next-gen production

In addition to its content announcements, Grup Mediapro revealed plans to open the Mediapro Yonkers Studios in April 2025. Spanning 10,200 square meters, these state-of-the-art facilities will feature three sound stages totaling 4,600 square meters. This investment underscores Mediapro’s commitment to innovation in media production, providing advanced tools such as:

• Virtual production sets
• LED walls
• 8K cameras
• 5G network infrastructure
• Integrated Unreal Engine technology

Evolving through innovation: Mediapro Xperiences

Tech creativity and experiential content

Mediapro continues to lead with innovation, introducing Mediapro Xperiences. This initiative is dedicated to advancing tech creativity and establishing permanent showcases for experiential content, reflecting the company’s agility in adapting to emerging trends and audience preferences. The aim is clear: redefine the boundaries of immersive entertainment.

A legacy rooted in sports and entertainment

A successful growth story

Founded in 1994 by visionary leaders, Mediapro has thrived, primarily through its strategic maneuvers in the sports rights domain. The company’s growth model involved crafting deals within various countries and offering production services immediately thereafter. These initiatives enabled Mediapro to establish offices globally, which were crucial in its expansion into film and TV production.

Starting in 2015, Mediapro shifted gears towards high-end international TV production with notable successes like “The New Pope,” “Locked Up,” and “The Head.” Concurrently, the company made strong inroads into the Latin American market, balancing global reach with localized content creation.

Strengthening presence in the US and Canada

Doubling down on ambitious goals

Mediapro’s addition of a US and Canada slate and the development of Yonkers Studios signal a robust effort to enhance its presence in North America—an objective persistently pursued by Laura Fernández Espeso. This move is geared towards establishing a more formidable position in the competitive US entertainment landscape.

Bold investment in sports rights

Strategic moves in the sports sector

The €1 billion sports rights fund places Mediapro back in the spotlight of sports brokering. Although not matching the scale of titans like Sky, with a $3.2 billion investment in 2024/25, or Canal+ at $628 million, it positions Mediapro as a significant player. According to industry insights, Mediapro is in negotiations with potential investors to expand this fund.

A key aim is to transcend European soccer, tapping into a broader array of sports globally. Mediapro’s extensive experience in sports marketing and production enables it to significantly enhance the value of sports assets, making it a savvy and lucrative investment venture.

Facing the future with a renewed vision

Embracing global leadership

Laura Fernández Espeso, Mediapro’s managing director, emphasized the transformational nature of this 30th-anniversary milestone, heralding a stronger trajectory for the company. “Our aim is to impact. We want to be world leaders. We are present on five continents, have more than 50 international offices, and a 7,000-strong workforce that never stops growing.”

The investment in Yonkers Studios, pegged at $70 million over a decade, is not just a facility upgrade but an investment in the future of media production. With a targeted 60% occupancy in its first year, this dynamic production center is projected to contribute 20% of Mediapro US revenues. It promises advanced features like digitalized workspaces and integrated Unreal Engine capabilities, making it a hub for cutting-edge content creation.

Grup Mediapro’s 30th anniversary stands as a testament to decades of innovation, expansion, and commitment to excellence in sports and media production. Share your thoughts on this milestone and keep the conversation going by following us for the latest updates!