Discovery Networks International (DNI) has commissioned a Brazilian prodco to make a Latin American version of one of its formats as part of a push towards more original content in the region.
Sao Paulo-based Mixer has been working with showrunners from the US version of Dual Survival, two series of which have aired on Discovery in North America, ahead of a six-episode run on Discovery Channel in Latin America in mid-2012.
The format sees two survival experts dropped into a difficult situation, such as sailors marooned on an island, or hikers lost on a mountain side, giving tips on how to stay alive and reach safety.
Discovery Channel will air 95 hours of locally produced content in Latin America next year, up from 70 hours in 2011. DNI will air 138 hours of original content across its 11 channels in the region during 2012.
Michela Giorelli, VP of production and development for Discovery Networks Latin America and US Hispanic, told C21: “The idea is to keep working, keep improving, make our network successful in the region.
“There is a huge press opportunity when you have local talent or a local story. Generally when it’s a local project it rates better than average – significantly better.”
Giorelli will be at the Rio Content Market at the end of February hunting for new companies to work with on original productions. DNI currently works with established firms in Argentina and Colombia but is keen to explore opportunities in Brazil and Mexico next year, where its main focus for growth will be.
Giorelli said: “The biggest challenge is to find people that are able to tell stories in the way we like. We want to increase the volume of local productions but we need to find the right people, and it’s not that easy.
“We use a lot of Argentina-based companies for pan-regional shows because the talent is there.”
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