Xavier Aristimu\u00f1o, VP of licensing at HBO Latin America, talks about innovation, taking risks and developing powerful narratives that explore new, challenging formats and engage global audiences.<\/p>\n
For more than 17 years, HBO Latin America has been a pioneer in the production of high-quality original content in the LatAm region. And the programming roster is continuing to grow, \u201ctelling stories about unique and relevant topics through diverse points of view,\u201d says Aristimu\u00f1o. \u201cWe offer content that awakens global interest in the Latin American audiovisual industry, proudly positioning our productions to new audiences around the world. We guide our future through innovation, taking risks and developing powerful narratives that explore new, challenging formats and engage global audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
HBO Latin America\u2019s international distribution and licensing department has seen gains each year, Aristimu\u00f1o adds, \u201cassuring our international clients a unique service in our industry, supporting all of the relevant areas in the distribution process. Our global customers not only enjoy the quality of our award-winning content, but they also count on all of our branding, digital and marketing resources that characterize the HBO brand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Its original productions have aired all across Latin America and the Caribbean, and are also present on HBO platforms around the world. Even still, enlarging the global footprint for this content remains top of mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe guide our path by providing unparalleled relevance for our audiences, searching for unique and powerful stories,\u201d says Aristimu\u00f1o. \u201cProducing premium television for us has simply been a continuation of many years of placing exceptional talent in all areas of production.\u201d All of HBO Latin America\u2019s original productions are HD\/4K quality and dubbed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout a doubt, the increased international success of multicultural content has cultivated acceptance in markets that previously focused mostly on local content,\u201d Aristimu\u00f1o notes. \u201cIt has given clients and potential clients the time to understand and enjoy the quality of our productions. The result has been clear, giving us an important boom in sales and brand positioning in different regions of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
To date, HBO Latin America has produced more than 30 titles that add up to more than 450 hours, comprising series, miniseries and documentaries. The programming can be divided into three key segments. The first being the classics\u2014productions that marked an era in Latin American production such as The Bronze Garden<\/em> (El Jard\u00edn de Bronce<\/em>), The Business<\/em> (O Neg\u00f3cio<\/em>), Psi<\/em> and Sr. \u00c1vila<\/em>. The second category is its most recent hits, such as The Secret Life of Couples<\/em> (A Vida Secreta dos<\/em> Casais<\/em>), Joint Venture <\/em>(Pico da Neblina<\/em>) and He, She, They <\/em>(Todxs N\u00f3s<\/em>), as well as the latest premiere, Hard<\/em>. The third category is upcoming productions, \u201cwhich are generating enormous expectations and interest from international clients,\u201d Aristimu\u00f1o says. These include Amongst Men<\/em> (Entre Hombres<\/em>), The American Guest<\/em> (O H\u00f3spede Americano<\/em>) and its first Colombian scripted original production Mil Colmillos<\/em>.<\/p>\n With all its programming, the mandate has always been, and continues to be, innovation, maintaining the quality that characterizes the HBO brand. \u201cThe HBO name is synonymous with quality,\u201d Aristimu\u00f1o says. \u201cAll of our series produced around the world have similar levels of production value. We will continue with our proposal of investing in and developing high-quality, provocative and innovative content. We always have high expectations for all of our productions, as they are enjoyable plots that are relatable through suspense, action and drama.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the last year, HBO Latin America has closed agreements with platforms in various territories, and the aim is to further these efforts in 2020. \u201cWe are especially excited about the new markets in countries such as Japan, Russia, Australia, England, Italy, Turkey and Belgium, and we are in negotiations with buyers in France, Germany, India, MENA and some countries in Asia,\u201d Aristimu\u00f1o says. \u201cWe\u2019re also proud of continuing to have our HBO Latin America content in the United States, including on the recently launched HBO Max platform.\u201d<\/p>\n