Zeta Studios Signs First-Look Deal with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios for Spanish-Language Wattpad Adaptations from Latin America
Both companies will also partner on stories in Spain
LOS ANGELES AND MADRID - January 23, 2024 - Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, the fan-driven global entertainment and publishing arm for WEBTOON and Wattpad, alongside leading Spanish production company Zeta Studios, the producers behind Netflix’s global television sensation “Elite,” today announced a first-look deal to develop Spanish-language webnovels from Wattpad in Latin America. Both companies will also partner on projects in Spain on a first priority non-exclusive basis.
The deal with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios is part of Zeta’s international growth strategy to produce on a global level. Based in Madrid, the studio has been steadily expanding its footprint in Mexico and Latin America with a new office in Mexico City helmed by Marcelo Tamburri as the Director of International Content. The signing of this agreement places Zeta Studios in a privileged position when it comes to producing audiovisual content of great importance and international projection.
Spanish-language content is one of the most popular categories on Wattpad, with millions of readers and writers around the world coming to the platform to find some of the most exciting new voices in fiction. Spanish-language fiction has been the source of one of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios biggest hits, most notably with an adaptation of Ariana Godoy’s "A Través De Mi Ventana" ("Through My Window") with Netflix Spain. Released in 2022, "A Través De Mi Ventana" is a global sensation, becoming one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English language films of all time*, and spawning two sequels.
“Agreements like this help us to strengthen our presence in the audiovisual market both in Spain and LATAM and reinforce Zeta Studios’ position in the current scene", said Antonio Asensio, President of Zeta Studios. “We’re thrilled to partner with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, as their platforms encourage reading and allow us to discover new talent, not only as writers but also as generators of audiovisual content.”
“Amplifying and adapting the Spanish-language content from Wattpad has always been a priority for us,” said Aron Levitz, President of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios. “There are massive fandoms for these stories across the Hispanic world, and we’re excited to continue working with Zeta Studios, who have a fantastic creative team and a keen understanding of the market.”
Wattpad’s Spanish-speaking authors are constantly launching new titles and building fandoms across the globe, including Flor M. Salvador, Alex Mírez and author teensspirit whose respective webnovels “Boulevard,” (99 million reads), "Perfectos Mentirosos" (130 million reads) and “Mala Influencia” (44 million reads) are all in development for TV and film adaptations with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios.
With passionate reading communities in Europe and Latin America, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios has established partnerships with some of the biggest international entertainment companies including Fremantle, Leone Film Group (Italy), Mediawan (France), Leonine (Germany) and Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial.
*As of January 9, 2023, according to Netflix’s Global Top 10 list.