Telemundo & RTI to export TV productions from Colombia.

Telemundo Communications Group (Telemundo) and Colombian television production pioneers, Radio Television Interamericana S.A. (RTI), reached an agreement to create a new entity called Producciones RTI S.A.S. that will produce television content in Colombia for export to the US and the rest of the world. This new venture, 40% owned by Telemundo and 60% owned by RTI shareholders, strengthens Telemundo’s position in Colombia, the US and around the world, and strategically positions its studios division for growth in the highly competitive television global marketplace.

“We have become one of the top producers of original content in the world and this deal represents an important milestone in the growth of Telemundo. The success of our original content strategy has been driven by the extraordinary talent and dedication of the RTI and Telemundo teams,” said Don Browne, President of Telemundo. “This formal relationship will create a strong and solid foundation that insures that Telemundo will continue to grow and flourish as a world leader in producing high quality original content.”

The new Colombian entity will become an integral part of the Telemundo Studios’ production system and will be strategically positioned to increase its output by incorporating additional capacity and new production lines. Telemundo has enjoyed a strong and successful relationship with RTI for many years producing novelas and other TV programs seen by viewers in more than 100 countries around the world.

“RTI has been working closely with Telemundo since 2002. This agreement is a natural evolution and extension of our long lasting relationship into the future,” said Patricio Wills, President of Telemundo Studios. “Now Telemundo Studios has its own operation in Colombia and we’re in a stronger position to do bigger projects for Telemundo and the world.”

Prior to this agreement, RTI had a production arrangement with Telemundo through which it has delivered over 300 hours a year of original content totaling more than 20 novelas, as well as tens of episodes of the network’s successful series “Decisiones.” RTI’s first production for Telemundo was “Amantes del Desierto” in 2001. Other major hits produced by RTI include: “Pasion de Gavilanes,” “El Cuerpo del Deseo,” “Zorro: La Espada y La Rosa,” “Victoria,” “Dona Barbara” and the highest-rated original novela in Telemundo’s history, “Sin Senos no hay Paraiso.” Currently, RTI is in production with the network’s 9pm “Ninos Ricos, Pobres Padres,” 10pm “Victorinos” and upcoming “Bella Calamidades;” and in pre-production of “El Clon” and “La Reina del Sur.” Via Telemundo’s international distribution arm, RTI novelas have traveled all around the world consistently ranking in top positions across Latin America, Europe and Asia.