After expanding into the U.K., the U.S. and the Netherlands, Paris-based leading unscripted production banner Satisfaction is set to gain ground in Spanish-speaking markets. Satisfaction founder Arthur Essebag, who is also an entrepreneur and famed TV host, has teamed up with Daniel Domenjo, a well-established Spanish producer and host, to create Satisfaction Iberia.
The new company will be developing, adapting and producing mainly unscripted content for Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American markets, and will aim to work with a broad range of international partners.
Domenjo, who previously ran Mediacrest and spearheaded the production of many hit formats in Spain, has been appointed CEO of Satisfaction Iberia. Under his leadership, Mediacrest delivered 15 seasons of “The Chase,” primetime shows like “Mapi”, “The Floor,” “Crónicas del Zoo” and “La Solución,” as well as the series “Asuntos Internos,” which is currently in production.
Earlier this year, Satisfaction ventured into English-language markets with a stake inYes Yes Media, the company founded byRichard BaconalongsideElisabeth Murdoch’sSister Media. The outfit has also formed a joint venture withFulwell 73, the U.K.-based production company behind “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
“Following our recent partnerships with Talpa, Fullwell 73 and Yes Yes Media, we continue to strategically expand our international presence with Satisfaction Iberia to bring new programs to the screen,” said Essebag, who was celebrated at Mipcom Cannes where he received the International Format Award.
Essebag praised Domenjo for his “long track record as a successful producer and top executive.”
“Spain, Portugal, and France have a lot in common in audiovisual content; the combination of our know-hows will offer the market a new agile and innovative player,” Essebag continued.
Domenjo, meanwhile, said partnering up with Satisfaction is a “genuine honor and privilege.”
“Both the vision and experience of all their production companies, along with a catalog full of hits and worldwide deals, is an opportunity that an entrepreneur like me embraces with immense enthusiasm and commitment,” he said.
The executive said Satisfaction Iberia “will focus on every kind of genre” and take a “step forward in the international consolidation of such a groundbreaking group.”
Founded in 2010 by Essebag, the company produces over 1,000 hours of TV content every week through labels across more than 30 territories, including France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
The company has become a key player in the creation and production of formats in France, with hits such as “Anything Goes,” a long-running comedy entertainment format adapted in nearly 40 territories, and more recently, the upcoming adaptation of Talpa’s format “The Floor” for France Televisions under the title “A la conquête du sol.” The company also adapts and produces hit formats such as “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,” “Dragon’s Den,” “Newly Wed” and “Who Bares Wins.”
Satisfaction Group also acquired the French operations of Sony Pictures Television, including Sony Pictures Television France and Starling, in 2020. A year later, Satisfaction Group formed a strategic partnership with Talpa Netherlands.
