The Future of Streaming in Spain Is Changing — But Are We Ready? Sofía Fábregas, the vice president of original production at Disney+ Spain, recently took center stage at the fifth annual Iberseries & Platino Industria event to discuss some pivotal shifts in the streaming landscape. Her keynote touched on everything from honoring traditional theatrical release windows to the strategic rebranding of Disney+’s Star content hub to Hulu in international markets. But here’s where it gets controversial: how will these changes impact content creators and viewers alike?
On September 30, 2025, Fábregas reflected on the journey since Disney+ launched in Spain five years ago. She celebrated a groundbreaking content partnership with Atresmedia, a leading Spanish media company. This deal, hailed as a "landmark agreement," marks the first major collaboration in Spain between a top broadcaster and a global streaming giant. Such alliances are not just business moves; they represent a new era of co-productions that blend local storytelling with international reach. Fábregas hinted at two exciting co-productions currently under wraps, signaling that this collaborative model is a cornerstone of Disney+ Spain’s future strategy.
But what does this mean for the streaming service itself? Fábregas emphasized that Disney+ is continuously evolving, making updates that align with the needs of its users and the broader goals of its parent company, Disney. One significant change on the horizon is the rebranding of the Star tile on Disney+ in Spain to Hulu, mirroring a similar shift in other international markets set for October 8. Despite the new name, viewers can expect to find all their favorite content intact, and the overall content strategy will remain consistent. "Everything that was Star becomes Hulu, and Hulu is now one of our five brands," she explained. This move might raise concerns among producers worried about visibility and audience reach, but Fábregas reassured them that their shows will not lose prominence on the platform.
Another key point Fábregas made was Disney+ Spain’s firm commitment to "respecting windows," particularly the theatrical window. This means that movies will still premiere in theaters before becoming available on the streaming service. She stressed that this approach is not at odds with the streaming business model. In fact, Disney+ Spain aims to release three to four local films annually in cinemas before they transition to the platform, preserving the traditional movie-going experience while embracing digital distribution.
Looking back, at last year’s Iberseries & Platino Industria conference in Madrid, Fábregas previewed a bold new type of content for Disney+ Spain: "Regreso a Las Sabinas" (Return to Las Sabinas), the country’s first-ever daily series with 70 episodes. This move showcased Disney+ Spain’s willingness to experiment and diversify its offerings to cater to local audiences.
The event’s opening day also featured other industry heavyweights like studio Gaumont and independent production powerhouse Banijay, highlighting the vibrant and competitive nature of Spanish and international content production.
So, what do you think? Is the rebranding of Star to Hulu a smart move that will strengthen Disney+’s global identity, or could it confuse loyal viewers? And how important is it to maintain theatrical windows in an age dominated by streaming? Share your thoughts below — this is a conversation that’s just getting started.
