Onza sells novelas from Portugal’s TVI to trio of African buyers

TVI’s A Fazenda was filmed in Portugal and Angola.

Telenovelas from Portuguese commercial broadcaster TVI have been sold into Africa, with NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer, Canal+ MultiChoice and StarTimes picking up the shows from Spain’s Onza Distribution.

NBCUniversal acquired A Madrastra for its Telemundo channel in Africa; Canal+ MultiChoice secured A Fazenda; and StarTimes picked up Para Sempre, which was nominated for an International Emmy.

The deals strengthen the presence of Portuguese drama on the African continent, where Onza Distribution is the exclusive international representative for TVI’s catalogue.

Among the broadcaster’s titles that have already reached these markets are Ouro Verde, winner of the International Emmy for Best Telenovela in 2018, which was sold to the Pasión Novelas channel for broadcast in French-speaking African countries, and Cacao, which has also reached sub-Saharan Africa.

A Fazenda, the sales rights to which Onza acquired in November 2024, is a Plural Entertainment production comprising 120 one-hour episodes, filmed in Portugal and Angola. The story centres on the relationship between a young Portuguese woman and an Angolan man which is threatened by a dispute over an inheritance.

“We are proud to be working with such influential partners as NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer, Canal+ MultiChoice and StarTimes. Their confidence in TVI’s catalogue is the best testament to its quality and opens the door for us to reach new audiences in Africa,” said Erika Gómez, head of sales at Onza Distribution.

Onza’s commitment to Portuguese telenovelas has extended beyond the African continent. In July, TelevisaUnivision announced the adaptation of Amar Demais – also produced by Plural Entertainment and distributed by Onza – for its new Mexican novela Infinito Amor, produced by Salvador Mejía.

In addition, this week Amor à Prova, another Plural Entertainment production for TVI distributed by Onza, was announced as a nominee for best telenovela at the 2026 Rose d’Or awards.