Sony buys into Colombia’s Teleset

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has acquired a 50% stake in Colombian TV company Teleset in a bid to expand its own production activities across Latin America and the US Hispanic market.

Founded in 1995, Teleset has a heritage in both scripted and non-scripted programming and with over 2,000 hours under its belt is one of the country’s largest independent producers.

Titles include top-rated telenovelas such as La Baby Sister and El Inutil, El Autentico Rodrigo Leal and Juegos Prohibidos, which sold in over 30 foreign countries.

As well as developing its own formats, Teleset has produced local versions of Survivor, Pop Stars, X Factor, Poker Face, Dancing with the Stars, Hole in the Wall and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

It has produced Power of 10 and Singing Office on behalf of SPTI for broadcasters in Colombia and is a 50% partner in a light entertainment formats outfit, Si Hay Ideas, and Ancillary, a talent search firm.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but TC Schultz, MD of SPTI, said: “We think there’s great potential for local production in Latin America, and we hope our investment in Teleset will result in product that can travel well within the region and the US Hispanic market.”