Grupo Televisa & Endemol Start Production In Mexico.

Grupo Televisa, S.A. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Endemol Holding, an international content developer and producer for television and online platforms, to set up a new television and interactive production company focused primarily on the Mexican market. Based in Mexico City, the new company will be named Endemol Mexico and will be a 50/50 joint venture of the two companies.

This strategic alliance will significantly increase an already strong Televisa catalogue while partnering Endemol with another market leader to grow its business. Televisa has by far the most-watched channels in the fields of news, entertainment and sporting events. In fact, in the past year, 185 of the 200 highest rated programs in Mexico were shown on Televisa’s channels.

Televisa has already committed to purchasing entertainment content from Endemol Mexico for the next five years, including the worldwide hit Big Brother. The agreement gives Televisa first option on programs in the Endemol catalogue, which currently comprises more than 400 formats. Endemol Mexico also retains the right to work with other clients.

Jose Baston, Televisa’s Corporate Vice-President of Television, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Endemol. The joint venture combines Televisa’s 50 years of experience in producing quality Spanish-language content with Endemol’s innovation and creativity. This alliance will allow us to offer our viewers new formats that have already proven to be successful throughout the world. Significantly, the platforms developed by Endemol are very popular with the 15 to 35 year old demographic, which is consistent with our clients’ target group. This agreement strengthens our good relations with Telefonica Media, one of the best partners in the media business in Latin America.”

Hubert Deitmers, an Endemol board member whose responsibilities include corporate development, is very enthusiastic as well about the joint venture with Grupo Televisa. “This joint venture is consistent with Endemol’s strategy to form partnerships all over the world with leaders in their respective markets. Our recent efforts in Latin America have already closed volume deals totaling US $200 million, and we have now managed to team up with the best possible partner in Mexico. Given the size of the Mexican market, there is huge growth potential for our joint venture with Televisa.”