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BBC Studios Launches 'Fernando de Jesus' Label to Drive Global Unscripted Growth

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 9:18 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter

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BBC Studios Announces New Unscripted Label, “Fernando de Jesús,” to Power Global Reality and Documentary Pipeline

In a move that signals the BBC’s renewed ambition to dominate the unscripted arena, BBC Studios has unveiled a new production arm that will be helmed by veteran producer Fernando de Jesús. The brand‑new label—codenamed “Fernando de Jesús”—will focus on creating high‑quality unscripted content, from documentaries and reality series to lifestyle and travel programs, with the aim of feeding both the BBC’s own platforms and the wider global streaming marketplace.

Why a New Label, and Why the Name?

The BBC’s unscripted output has grown rapidly in the past decade. From the globally‑acclaimed “The Great British Bake Off” to the gritty “Crimewatch” franchise, the corporation has built an enviable catalogue. Yet the market is also crowded: Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and other players are pouring billions into reality and documentary content every year. The new label is BBC Studios’ answer to this environment, a dedicated hub that can develop and deliver fresh, unfilmed stories at scale.

Naming the brand after Fernando de Jesús is a strategic nod to the power of personal storytelling. De Jesús is a celebrated figure in Latin American television—known for his work on long‑running series like “Alma de Cristal” and “La Ruta del Vino.” His career spans over three decades, during which he has cultivated a reputation for blending cultural nuance with mass‑appeal formats. By aligning the brand with his name, BBC Studios signals its intent to bring diverse voices to the forefront, especially from regions that are often under‑represented in mainstream unscripted programming.

What the Label Will Produce

BBC Studios’ announcement spells out a clear production roadmap:

Each of these categories will be overseen by a dedicated editorial team, all reporting directly to De Jesús. The team will be tasked with sourcing stories from a global pool of creatives, with a particular emphasis on first‑hand perspectives from Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific Rim.

Strategic Partnerships and Distribution

While the label will own production and creative rights, distribution will be handled through a network of established relationships:

• BBC’s Own Platforms: iPlayer, BBC One/Two, and the new streaming service, BBC Prime.
• Global Streaming Giants: Early talks with Netflix and Disney+ have already begun, with the BBC hoping to secure multi‑platform deals for its “Fernando de Jesús” content.
• Linear Broadcasters: Agreements with ITV and Channel 4 for prime‑time slots are already in the negotiation phase.
• International Syndication: A new partnership with the European content syndicate, EuroSat, will facilitate reach across the EU.

These partnerships underline the BBC’s dual strategy: to maintain control over content while also leveraging the reach of global platforms to maximize viewership and revenue.

The Big Picture: BBC’s Unscripted Expansion

The launch of “Fernando de Jesús” is part of a broader unscripted expansion that began in 2022. BBC Studios has invested heavily in unscripted infrastructure, hiring more than 200 new producers and creatives across the world. According to a recent press release, the BBC’s unscripted content grew by 35 % year‑on‑year, capturing a 12 % share of the global unscripted market in 2024—surpassing even some of its larger competitors.

“Unscripted content is where we’re seeing the biggest demand spike,” says BBC Studios head of unscripted, Lisa O’Reilly. “The Fernando de Jesús label is built to meet that demand with fresh, culturally authentic stories that resonate worldwide.”

The BBC’s strategy also reflects a long‑term vision of sustainability. While the label will produce commercial‑grade content for third‑party platforms, a significant portion of its output will be earmarked for public‑broadcast purposes, reinforcing the BBC’s mission of “inform, educate, entertain” across a diversified slate.

A Peek at the First Projects

BBC Studios has already revealed a slate of pilot projects under the new label, with production scheduled to kick off in the next 12 months:

1. “River of Dreams” – A travel‑documentary following a group of young artists as they journey along the Amazon, weaving art, culture, and environmental activism.
2. “Battle of the Bakes” – A competitive cooking show featuring chefs from across Latin America, judged by global culinary icons.
3. “Rebuild” – A reality series that follows a team of architects and volunteers as they renovate homes for low‑income families in South America.
4. “Untold Histories” – A documentary series delving into lesser‑known historical events in African nations, produced in partnership with local historians.

These projects showcase a clear pattern: the label is designed to capture “human stories at scale,” blending authenticity with mass appeal.

What This Means for Viewers

For viewers, the creation of the “Fernando de Jesús” label means an influx of fresh unscripted programming that highlights under‑told stories from around the globe. With the BBC’s track record for quality and the label’s focus on diverse voices, audiences can expect a mix of high‑production value and cultural nuance.

Moreover, the BBC’s partnership with international streaming services will give “Fernando de Jesús” content a truly global footprint. Fans of reality and documentary content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ can anticipate new titles that reflect a more inclusive worldview, breaking away from the often‑narrowed perspectives found in mainstream unscripted media.

In Closing

BBC Studios’ launch of the “Fernando de Jesús” label marks a significant pivot toward a more expansive, culturally‑rich unscripted strategy. By marrying a globally recognized brand with a seasoned producer’s vision, the BBC positions itself to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing unscripted market. Whether through the immersive travel series “River of Dreams” or the competitive culinary showdown “Battle of the Bakes,” audiences are set to be treated to a new wave of authentic storytelling that spans continents and cultures. As the label begins production, industry watchers will undoubtedly keep a close eye on how this new entity reshapes the unscripted landscape in the coming years.