Fashion TV & FremantleMedia Team Up for Latin Project Runway

ATLANTA: Turner Broadcasting System Latin America’s Fashion TV and FremantleMedia have signed a deal to make the Latin version of Project Runway, which will air 15 episodes exclusively in Latin America from September to December of this year.

Project Runway Latin America is the first original version made for the region, where 14 talented and ambitious designers will have a shot at becoming the best new Latin fashion designer. Rebecca de Alba will host the show, with Venezuelan designer Ángel Sánchez in the judges’ chair and Argentinean designer Mariano Toledo as the coach. The deal includes marketing, production and broadcast of the show on Fashion TV.

Project Runway was originally produced in the U.S. with host Heidi Klum and has garnered excellent viewership throughout its seven seasons. FremantleMedia has also made new versions in Canada, the U.K., Norway, Malaysia, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Finland, Hong Kong, Turkey, Arab Emirates and Korea.

“This deal with FremantleMedia looks to boost Fashion TV’s original production, which is in line with our special interest in providing the regional market with content keen on satisfying audience needs,” said Gretchen Colón, the senior VP and general manager at Fashion TV. “This is the beginning of a series of approaches we’ll be making with renowned independent producers in the region.”

Jack Alfandary, FremantleMedia’s senior VP of sales and executive producer of the project, added, “We’re happy with this partnership with Fashion TV for Project Runway, one of the most successful TV formats that has garnered excellent ratings in over 15 countries. The format is also an extraordinary example of product integration and commercial brands. Innovation and originality in our formats blend with marketing.”

“The idea is to leverage the international projection and strategic position that Turner Broadcasting System occupies in the market,” said Ángel Zambrano, the VP of acquisitions at Turner Broadcasting System. “Our company’s vision includes the investing in original content with different formats for all of the group’s portfolio of channels, which has given us a competitive edge.”