In this episode of "Chatting at GEMA", Marion Ranchet interviews Unai Iparragirre, Head of Channels & OTT at EITB, the public broadcaster in the Basque Country, about being able to adapt to a changing landscape, brave content, and the intersection of public service and entertainment. Iparragirre explains the importance of EITB beyond entertainment to preserve the Basque culture, identity, and language while serving the Basque community across the globe. EITB’s I Need Help, a series about the mental health challenges teenagers faced as a result of the COVID pandemic, underlines Iparragirre’s commitment to public service and social responsibility while navigating the decline of traditional television formats.

As Head of Channels at EITB, Unai Iparragirre is responsible for the TV portfolio as well as the OTT services at the Basque Public Broadcasting Corporation. This includes four local FTA networks, a pan-regional network as well as the recently launched streaming service, Primeran, which has received the prestigious 2023 Digital Award from the Association of Basque Journalists. Iparragirre’s journey in the broadcasting sector is marked by a dynamic and passionate leadership style. With extensive experience managing cross-functional teams across several EMEA markets during his tenure at Discovery Communications. Now at EITB, Iparragirre’s focus is on developing and implementing channel strategies that align with our business and strategic goals while exploring new opportunities, and on strengthening the role of EITB as a public media group that gives back to society through the content we produce. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Basque.

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