Azteca takes 'Housewives'

Network picks up Hispanic version of show

By ANNA MARIE DE LA FUENTE

TV Azteca, Mexico's No. 2 web, has picked up the U.S. Hispanic version of "Desperate Housewives," produced by Disney Latin America for leading U.S. Spanish-language net Univision.

Azteca will air "Amas de Casas Desesperadas" on Canal 13, its main channel normally reserved for Mexican programming, starting June 9. In contrast to Univision's weekly programming plan, Azteca will be stripping the skein daily Monday-Friday -- like a telenovela -- in its peak primetime slot.

While "Amas" features Mexican thesps Lucia Mendez and Ana Serradilla, its other leads are from other Latin American countries.

Move is part of a trend of reverse exporting whereby Latin American webs pick up productions tailormade for U.S. Hispanic auds. NBC U's Telemundo struck a programming supply deal with leading Mexican web Televisa in March.

With up to 70% of U.S. Hispanics of Mexican origin, it may be a safer bet than exporting Univision's "Amas" to Chile, for example, although Disney does not rule out that possibility.

Disney partner Pol-ka Prods. produced the U.S. Hispanic version on its purpose-built set of Calle Manzanares (aka Wisteria Lane) in Buenos Aires. Argentinean, Brazilian and Colombian versions of "Desperate Housewives" have also filmed here.

The Mouse House recently unveiled a plan to produce local versions of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Brothers & Sisters" in Colombia.

"We're making them adaptable to the client's needs who may want to air them stripped daily or weekly," said Fernando Barbosa, senior VP, Disney Media Networks, Latin America.

Azteca has had an output deal with Disney since 1998, but the "Amas" acquisition does not fall under the pact.

"Amas" was offered as a first option to Televisa, but it passed on the show. Televisa has a longtime programming supply pact with Univision that is under dispute, with the case set to go to trial July 1.

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