MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has announced that it has bagged the rights to roll out the hit Colombian telenovela format, Yo Soy Betty La Fea, (I am ugly Betty) in Europe.
Fremantle has acquired the rights from Colombian broadcaster RCN, which first aired the show in 1999. The novela went on to be a major hit in a number of other countries.
FremantleMedia CEO Europe, Latin America, The Middle East & Asia Pacific Doug Gluck said,"We are really pleased to be rolling out this hit format around Europe. The demand in telenovelas is going from strength to strength and as always FremantleMedia is ahead of the market. Betty La Fea is an example of a great telenovela formula. There is no doubt that broadcasters around Europe are as enthusiastic as we are."
Fremantle’s acquisition builds on increasing demand for telenovelas on the international market. Recently, the company secured a commission for the format with John De Mol's Dutch channel, Talpa. The local version of the telenovela, which is entitled De Liefdes van Lotte, is being produced by FremantleMedia's Dutch production company, Blue Circle, and is scheduled to air in February.
A German version of Betty La Fea entitled Verliebt in Berlin is produced by FremantleMedia’s local production company, Grundy UFA. The series first aired in February 2005 and regularly attracted 4.5 million viewers, consistently exceeding the time slot average share by over 100% for adults 14 to 49.
The format of Yo Soy Betty La Fea follows a young woman who is bright, dedicated, innovative, kind but has one flaw - she is unattractive. She starts a new job surrounded by beautiful colleagues and tries to win the heart of her handsome boss.