NBC has announced a deal with Electus, a multimedia entertainment studio, to partner on the development of three telenovelas with the possibility of at least one airing as a 13-episode series with multiple episodes running each week. The first title to be developed is The Black Widow, based on the Venezuelan hit, La Viuda Joven, which ran for 142 episodes.
The press release follows the jump.
NBC, ELECTUS IN DEVELOPMENT FOR TRIO OF TELENOVELAS
‘The Black Widow’ Was Huge Ratings Hit in Venezuela and Broadcast Around the World
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Sept. 3, 2013 — NBC has partnered with multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC, for three telenovelas to be developed with an eye towards airing one as a 13-episode series, with multiple episodes running each week, much like an actual telenovela.
This is but one of many innovative scheduling strategies NBC is considering.
The first project in development, “The Black Widow,” from writer Sri Rao, is an adaptation of the highly popular Venezuelan telenovela “La Viuda Joven,” which premiered in 2011 and set ratings records. The 142-episode series was broadcast around the world.
Rao’s most recent writing credit was for “General Hospital: Night Shift.” He will co-executive produce with Electus’ founder-creator Ben Silverman and Jimmy Fox, Head of Creative Development.
The other titles for development will be announced at a later date.
“We believe there is huge potential for telenovelas to be adapted and developed for American viewers. These stories clearly have resonance across all cultures and nationalities,” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment.
“Already a hit overseas, we expect ‘The Black Widow’s’ captivating and mysterious plot to attract a large audience domestically as well.” says John Pollack, President of Electus International.
Electus International will control distribution of each series adaptation worldwide as well as the original format worldwide, excluding Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Venevision International will distribute the format in those territories, as well as the original Venezuelan series worldwide.
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman in partnership with IAC (NASDAQ: IACI), the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm or Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus’ programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers.
Venevision International is a global entertainment company with more than 35 years in the market, distributing television programming to more than 104 countries in more than 20 languages. As part of the Cisneros Group of Companies, Venevision International represents the products of Venevision Productions, the largest independent producer of Spanish-language programming in the United States.
NBC Entertainment develops and schedules programming for the network’s primetime, late-night, and daytime schedules. NBC’s quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, numerous awards and ratings success. NBC has earned more Emmy Awards than any network in television history. NBC’s roster of popular scripted series includes the critically acclaimed “Parks and Recreation” and “Community,” as well as new comedies “The Michael J. Fox Show,” “Sean Saves the World” and “About a Boy.” NBC’s drama slate is highlighted by the buzzworthy new series “The Blacklist,” “Ironside” and “Crisis,” veteran series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Parenthood” and “Grimm,” and the acclaimed recent additions “Chicago Fire” and “Revolution.” Unscripted series for NBC include the vocal competition hit “The Voice” as well as “The Biggest Loser,” “The Celebrity Apprentice” and the perennial #1 most-watched summer series, “America’s Got Talent.”
In late-night, NBC regularly delivers #1 broadcast results with “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Last Call with Carson Daly” and “Saturday Night Live.” NBC Daytime’s “Days of our Lives” consistently ranks among daytime’s top programs in the valuable women 18-34 category. The five-time, Emmy Award-winning NBC.com streams full episodes and provides original content for NBC entertainment shows online and through apps for mobile and tablet devices. NBC recently launched NBC Kids, a new Saturday morning programming block designed specifically to address the developmental needs of preschool-aged children. Programmed by the kids’ experts at Sprout, the nation’s first 24-hour preschool television channel, this new three-hour block will feature educational series that promote active, healthy lifestyles for younger children.