Telemundo aims for drama boost

Telemundo Internacional, the production and distribution arm of the US Hispanic broadcaster, plans to increase the amount of drama it produces in 2008 by 200 hours.

The NBC-owned subsidiary is also hoping to produce its entire output in high definition by the end of the year.

Some 70% the US Hispanic broadcaster’s schedule is filled with telenovellas and the producer has eleven shows in production at any one time. Marcos Santana, president of Telemundo Internacional, told TBIvision that it intends to increase this in the coming year.

"The idea for the next 24 months is that we have two objectives; to grow 200 more hours in drama and to produce everything in HD."

The company currently has four projects in development; Marina and El Engaño, which are being produced in Mexico and Victoria and La Traición, which are being produced in Columbia.

Telemundo Internacional is aiming to produce all of these current projects in high definition to meet demand, particularly from Europe.

"Right now we have 50% of our facilities with high definition tools but from May we want to have that 100% HD. In Europe and other countries digital TV is coming soon and networks find HD essential," added Santana.