A+E Networks International has signed a slate of deals across Latin America that will increase the company’s presence in the region as well as the impact of its global scripted format business, it was announced today by Helen Jurado, senior Director of Content Sales for Latin America and U.S. Hispanic at the network.
Univision/TVM, the top Hispanic broadcaster across Latin America, purchased four movie titles marking A+E’s first Spanish-language sale of Lifetime TV movies. Univision/TVM aired Grumpy Cat and Finding Mrs. Claus over the 2019 holiday season and will air Menendez: Blood Brothers, and Cocaine Godmother in 2020, as A+E finds continued success with the strength of its movies resonating with a global audience.
A+E International also sold its UnREAL format to Brazilian production unit Floresta Produções. This is A+E’s first scripted format sale in Latin America, speaking to the growth of its format business in the region. UnREAL, a celebration of strong women working in television, became a ratings hit and fueled conversation about gender politics in the U.S. The series was recognized with numerous awards and nominations including a Peabody, an AFI honor as a Television Program of the Year and a Critics’ Choice Award.
UnREAL is a biting “dramedy” format which tells the story of a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the chaos surrounding the production of a TV dating show. On the surface, it is about a young reality producer pushed by her unethical boss to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up sizzling show content. At its core, it celebrates the idea of a female anti-hero while tackling relevant issues such as gender politics, how women treat each other in the workplace, and the concept of real love.
TV movies set for broadcast on Univision/TVM include:
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever (1 x 2½ hours) – Starring Grumpy Cat and Aubrey Plaza. A lonely cat living in a mall pet shop develops a sour outlook on life until, in the midst of the holiday rush, she meets a very special 12-year-old girl.
Finding Mrs. Claus (FKA Betting On Christmas) (1 x 2½ hours) – Starring Mira Sorvino, Laura Vandervoort and Will Sasso. When Santa becomes too depressed to pull off Christmas after a frustrated Mrs. Claus walks out on him, his elves take him to Las Vegas. As Santa navigates all that Vegas has to offer, which includes a Santa convention, he crosses paths with a struggling single mom and her daughter who remind him that Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without him.
Cocaine Godmother (1×2 hours, 1×2 ½ hours) – Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Directed by Guillermo Navarro. The real life of Colombian drug lord, Griselda Blanco, who reportedly masterminded more than 200 murders. This film presents her life story from the time she was a young girl to the end of her life.
Menendez: Blood Brothers (1×2 hours) – Starring Courtney Love. This film explores the inner lives and motivation behind the murders of entertainment executive Jose Menendez and his wife Kitty at the hands of their sons Lyle and Erik in 1989.
