Univision sets pacts for exclusive content
Deals enable co. to shut out rival Telemundo from key novela producers
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The multiyear deals will cover the U.S. and Puerto Rico (where the Spanish-lingo media group is acquiring two stations) for Univision's flagship network, Spanish-lingo U.S. cable channel Galavision. Deals also cover a second net to be launched in January.
Unlike existing agreements with Mexico's Televisa and Venezuela's Venevision -- both shareholders receiving a cut of Univision's revenue in exchange for exclusive programming -- the new accords will be straight output deals.
End run around rival
While ensuring additional supply, the deals also enable Univision to shut out rival Spanish-lingo net Telemundo from two key novela producers.
RCN, one of Colombia's two private networks, produced the international soap sensation "Betty La Fea," which aired in the U.S. on Telemundo to great success.
Under a five-year exclusive programming and licensing accord, Univision will have access to a minimum of 300 hours of programming from RCN each year, including "Echo-Moda" (the "Betty" sequel currently in production), "Betty" reruns and "best of" material.
Payback for soap pact
A deal between RCN and Univision is no surprise: RCN execs reportedly were irked when Telemundo inked a 10-soap co-production deal with rival Colombian broadcaster Caracol and producer RTI.
With Venezuela's RCTV, Univision will have a 10-year exclusive for novelas and other types of programming, as well as exclusive access to an 800-hour novela catalog.
RCTV is outperforming rival Venevision in the Venezuelan market. Both broadcasters are among the top Spanish-lingo novela producers, in terms of quality and quantity, though Mexico's Televisa is the undisputed leader in the genre.
Although Univision is in talks with Televisa regarding programming for its second network, its existing contracts with Televisa and Venevision for the lead network are good through 2017.
