In Spain, streaming platforms are increasingly vying for projects, talent, and viewers. Netflix began producing originals in Spain in 2016 and opened its first European production hub in Madrid in the Spring of 2019. However, as a result of this competition, HBO Spain has doubled down on producing series in Spain in 2019, increasing investment from Amazon Studios, as well as continued investment from Viacom, ATRESMEDIA, and telecom behemoths like Orange & Movistar.

eMarketer vice president of content studio at Insider Intelligence Paul Verna steps in as host of this week's "The Weekly Listen," where he and eMarketer principal analysts Mark Dolliver and Debra Aho Williamson, and junior analyst at Insider Intelligence Blake Droesch discuss the latest updates on the TikTok saga, Quibi's unique predicament, Roku and NBCUniversal's buried hatchet, new game consoles from Sony and Microsoft, the Emmys' declining viewership, and how a home-field advantage influences soccer (or football, if you're European) referees.

Less than 13% of smartphone users in Germany will use proximity mobile payments this year—one of the lowest rates in Europe. User numbers will increase slowly, but privacy concerns and the popularity of cash and card payments will curtail adoption.

In its Q2 2020 earnings call, the company announced that it would launch QR code-based payments in 26 countries across Europe and North America, as well as in Australia and Hong Kong. In an effort to entice more merchants, PayPal has waived seller transaction fees on QR code payments until 2021.

eMarketer research analyst Man-Chung Cheung discusses the latest on the coronavirus pandemic in China. He explores the role of big data in managing the crisis, points out signs of a retail rebound and considers takeaways for the US and Europe.

Not only will digital be the sole medium to record higher ad spending in major European markets in 2020—it will also rebound more rapidly than other media next year, according to IAB Europe. The organization has forecast increasing ad spend in all European markets in 2021, but that growth “is not enough to recoup all the losses,” said Dr. Daniel Knapp, chief economist at IAB Europe.