Telemundo, RTI Set Up Colombian Export Venture

MIAMI: Telemundo is aligning with producer Radio Television Interamericana (RTI) to launch a new entity that will produce content in Colombia for export to the U.S. and other international markets.

RTI will own a majority 60-percent interest in Producciones RTI, with Telemundo holding 40 percent. Financial terms of the venture were not disclosed. 

"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," said Don Browne, the president of Telemundo. "The success of our original content strategy has been driven by the extraordinary talent and dedication of the RTI and Telemundo teams. 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."

“RTI has been working closely with Telemundo since 2002," added Patricio Wills, the president of Telemundo Studios. "This agreement is a natural evolution and extension of our long lasting relationship into the future. 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.”

RTI previously had a production arrangement with Telemundo through which it has delivered more than 300 hours a year of original content covering 20-plus novelas.