Telemundo Studios & Sony Pictures TV Int’l to co-produce ‘Doña Bárbara’.

Telemundo announced it has once again partnered with Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) to co-produce the upcoming Primetime original novela, “Doña Bárbara”. This latest co-production, to be shot in high definition, will mark the second time the two powerhouse studios have collaborated on an original novela; the first being ratings topper, “Zorro: La Espada y la Rosa”. SPTI will distribute the series in North and South America, while Telemundo International will handle distribution throughout Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia and Asia.

The novela will kick-off production in Colombia in the RTI-Studios under the supervision of Telemundo Studios and SPTI. “Doña Bárbara” is slated to air third quarter of 2008.

“Telemundo and Sony Pictures Television International have achieved great success in developing and producing the best novelas in the world,” said Don Browne, president, Telemundo. “We are delighted to be joining forces again in the production of Doña Bárbara and expect to build on our great success we had with Zorro in the U.S. and around the world.”

“Our initial partnership with Telemundo resulted in great success with the launch of ‘Zorro: La Espada y la Rosa’,” added Brendan Fitzgerald, senior vice president, international production, Sony Pictures Television International. “Our combined talented production teams will once again continue to set the bar for the highest quality in production standards with this latest project.”

“Telemundo Studios is totally committed to producing the best entertainment tailor made for the U.S. Hispanic audience,” said Patricio Wills, President, Telemundo Television Studios. “This latest partnership will once again showcase the amazing talent from both production houses and deliver a memorable programming experience to the viewer.”

Based on a novel that is considered to be one of Latin America’s literary classics, “Doña Bárbara” tells the story of a courageous and strong-willed woman who is hardened by her troubled past and must confront her own deep-seeded vulnerabilities in face of an impossible love.