Telemundo buys distributor, producer

US Hispanic network Telemundo has taken over its joint-venture producer Telemundo-RTI Productions and renamed it Telemundo Studios Miami.

Telemundo has also bought its current international distributor, Tepuy International, which will be renamed Telemundo International.

NBC Universal-owned Telemundo claims a 92% reach of US Hispanic viewers in 118 markets through its owned-and-operated stations, broadcast and cable affiliates.

Patricio Wills, formerly president of Telemundo-RTI Productions and head of production for Telemundo Studios, will now become president of Telemundo Television Studios, the network’s original content production division that will incorporate Telemundo Studios Miami.

Former president and chief operating officer of Tepuy, Marcos Santana, will become president of Telemundo International.

Both Wills and Santana will report directly to Don Browne, president of Telemundo Communications Group.

“Taking full ownership of our Miami studios and our foreign distribution capabilities gives us great leverage in the industry to really manage our own destiny and competitively position Telemundo for future growth,” said Browne.

Telemundo Studios Miami will continue to develop and produce telenovelas and other content for the Telemundo Network, as well as seeking opportunities to produce for other broadcasters in Latin America.

In his new position, Wills will be responsible for all in-house development and Telemundo’s production activities in the US, Mexico and Colombia, and work with Santana to develop coproductions.

“I am very pleased with this change. Telemundo is helping shape the Spanish-language industry of the future and I feel truly honoured to be able provide my expertise and contribute to the network’s mission to entertain, inspire and empower the Hispanic audience,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the newly formed Telemundo International, created to bring all of Telemundo’s foreign distribution efforts in-house, Santana is charged with overseeing the network’s content distribution efforts, as well as the company’s distribution services to other producers around the world, international coproductions and partnerships.

He will also be involved in the network’s development process including identifying programming ideas and acquiring scripts and formats in the international market.

“With the reputation and expertise we’ve built over the years at Tepuy and the power of the Telemundo brand, the new Telemundo International will be an excellent resource to expand Telemundo’s presence in the global marketplace and offer other producers a greater marketing vehicle for their products,” said Santana.