Caracol Exploring More Opportunities in Spain

Colombia’s Caracol is eager to explore new collaborative opportunities in Spain and has seen gains in its business in the market, reports Paloma Garcia, international sales executive for Europe and Africa at Caracol Internacional.

“This year we have proven that our titles are not only successful in Colombian prime time, but are also successful in global markets,” says Garcia. “The perfect example is The White Slave, a series that has had a tremendous success not only in Spain (on regional TV channels), but worldwide. This success has proven that this high-production-value super series, which is full of adventures, romance and overcoming injustice, in addition to a great cast from Spain and Colombia, can travel around the world as a universally appealing title.” Garcia notes that The White Slave marked the first Spanish prime-time broadcast for a Colombian show. “With the great success of The White Slave, we have also sold one of our most successful titles, Pablo Escobar, The Drug Lord, to Canal Sur.”

Alejandro Toro Canal, director of co-productions at Caracol Television, adds that The White Slave is an example of a show that fits both LatAm and Spain and therefore serves as a good sign for the potential for co-pros between both markets. “Once we find content that is appealing for both markets and that has a good international sales potential we are open to doing co-productions with producers outside LatAm,” he says. “It is just a matter of finding a win-win business model and content for the parties.”

Caracol has also seen format success in Spain with both entertainment and scripted titles, including securing an option on Against Our Destiny. “In Spain we have a great advantage due to our productions having the Colombian accent—which is welcomed in Spain and allows the titles to be broadcast without editing. In addition, we share cultural ties, which creates an easy connection between our titles and the Spanish audiences,” Garcia says.