Disney’s Return to Las Sabinas: First Daily Series on Streaming Platform Boosted Spain’s Economy by Over €17 Million
Oxford Economics Report Highlights Positive Economic Impact of Series Production in Spain
Production stimulated 530 full-time and part-time local jobs and supported 1,000 businesses across Spain
Madrid – Disney’s groundbreaking daily series Return to Las Sabinas contributed over €17 million to Spain’s GDP, according to a newly released economic impact study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by the Motion Picture Association (MPA). The production, the first daily series launched on a streaming platform, supported 530 full-time and part-time local jobs and engaged around 1,000 businesses across the country, showcasing the significant benefits of Spain’s film and television production incentives.
The series drove approximately €12.2 million in spending across Spain—a major boost to the local economy. Of this investment, €6.5 million (53%) went to wages and salaries, fuelling job growth and skill development in Spain’s thriving creative industry. The remaining €5.7 million (47%) was allocated to local goods and services, with substantial demand in key sectors like TV postproduction services, location and equipment rentals, and catering. While this spending occurred throughout the country, a significant portion was concentrated in Catalonia, highlighting the region’s pivotal role in the production.
The direct impact of the production generated €6.5 million, or 38%, of the total GDP contribution, while local spending on goods and services supported an additional €5.0 million along the supply chain, representing 29%. Additionally, spending of wages paid to residents boosted GDP by €5.6 million, or 33%. The production delivered €1.6 million in wider economic benefits for every €1 million in direct GDP generated.
Employment impacts were equally significant. During 2023-2024, Return to Las Sabinas directly employed 380 full-time and part-time Spain-based workers, representing 73% of the total workforce supported in the economy. An additional 140 jobs were supported in the indirect and induced channels, with 70 jobs sustained along the supply chain and another 70 through spending of wages by the local production and suppliers’ employees.
The research indicates that Return to Las Sabinas benefitted from nearly €3.0 million in tax incentives, equating to a remarkable €5.8 in GDP contribution for every €1 of incentives received.
Beyond immediate economic gains, Return to Las Sabinas has the potential to stimulate lasting benefits through “film-induced tourism”. Catalan villages featured in the series may attract fans, adding another layer of economic impact as these locations grow in popularity. Spain’s tax incentives of up to 30% have attracted an increasing number of productions, and series like Return to Las Sabinas help bolster the local film industry by offering Spanish talent opportunities to work alongside other international professionals.
Stan McCoy, President and Managing Director of the Motion Picture Association for Europe, Middle East and Africa Region said “This report offers a vivid example of how MPA member investments pump fuel directly into the local jobs and businesses that are the engine of Spain’s economy. It confirms that Spain is reaping the benefits of wise policy choices that have boosted the sector. We urge the Spanish government to stay the course by continuing to prioritize proportionate and flexible regulation of film and television production and distribution, including a stable and competitive incentive program.”
Sofía Fábregas, VP of Original Production at Disney said “At Disney, we have a clear commitment to local production; we want to tell stories that excite and resonate with our audience. In Spain, Disney’s investment in local content is growing faster than in markets like France and Italy, where regulatory requirements are more complex.”
Marcos Casarin, Economist at Oxford Economics, said “In our extensive experience conducting these studies, we have found that audiovisual productions greatly benefit local economies. The substantial investment from the series not only underscores the vitality of Spain’s creative industry but also demonstrates how strategic spending can drive economic growth and create jobs across multiple sectors.”
About The Motion Picture Association
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are: Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.
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