BBC Player launches in Spain via Movistar Plus+ with 700 hours of British content

From Doctor Who to Top Gear, Spanish viewers get a British TV bonanza. A landmark deal brings BBC's iconic shows to Movistar Plus+ this fall.

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2026 March 22 . 7:05 AM

1 min read

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BBC Player launches in Spain via Movistar Plus+ with 700 hours of British content

BBC Studios is expanding into Spain with the launch of its on-demand service, BBC Player. The platform will arrive on Movistar Plus+ from 15 October, bringing a curated selection of British programming to Spanish viewers. This move follows a wider partnership with Telefónica's pay-TV service, strengthening the BBC's presence in the country.

The new BBC Player will offer up to 700 hours of content for IPTV subscribers. At launch, viewers can expect Louis Theroux documentaries, Sir David Attenborough's natural history series, entertainment shows, lifestyle programmes, and crime dramas. The service will also feature first-window rights to the Paradise franchise, including Death in Paradise, Beyond Paradise, and Return to Paradise.

Movistar Plus+ will manage ad sales for BBC's on-demand inventory, as well as its FAST (free ad-supported streaming) channels. These include BBC Lifestyle and BBC Earth, joining existing brands like Top Gear, BBC Drama, BBC History, and BBC Food. The Spanish launch is part of a multi-year renewal deal with Telefónica. Beyond the initial line-up, BBC Studios has confirmed plans to license additional British titles by March 2026. These will include *Doctor Who*, the local adaptation of *Strictly Come Dancing* (*Bailando con las Estrellas*), and *Top Gear*.

BBC Player's arrival on Movistar Plus+ marks the latest step in BBC Studios' global expansion. Spanish audiences will gain access to a mix of factual, entertainment, and drama content, with more high-profile British series set to follow. The partnership also reinforces Telefónica's position as a key distributor of BBC programming in the region.