Telemundo plans Spanish channel

Pay TV venture also set for Mexico

By EMILIANO DE PABLOS

'Quinceanera'

NBC U’s Telemundo will launch paybox Telemundo Intl. next fall in Spain on the same day that it bows in Mexico as part of a pact inked with Mexican media giant Televisa.

The Spanish operation was unveiled at Cannes’ Mip TV mart by Telemundo Intl. prexy Marcos Santana. Spanish cable carriers have still to be announced.

In Mexico, it will be distributed by Televisa’s satcaster Sky and cabler Cablevision, reaching more than 2 million households.

Telemundo’s next international priority is to consolidate as a main content provider for the Asian TV market.

Telemundo’s original productions and formats already have a strong presence in China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and India.

Last month, “Mamma Mia,” the Indonesian version of Telemundo reality series format “Quinceanera,” became a TV phenomenon.

“Like ‘Fame Academy’ in other territories, ‘Quinceanera’ will be the company’s flagship to establish a beachhead in Asia,” said Santana. “If you have a TV success in an Asian country, it rapidly expands across the region because of its strong cultural affinities.”

Santana estimates that sales from Asia will represent around 20% of Telemundo Intl.’s total sales revenues in less than two years.