MUMBAI: Disney Media Networks Latin America (DMNLA) has inked several deals at Mipcom, including a pan-regional version of The Amazing Race and an expanded alliance with Terra TV.
As per the expansion of coalition, Terra - the Latin American internet giant - will begin offering DMNLA content on Terra TV, cell phones and social networks across the region from next year.
The expanded partnership includes catch-up rights to a slate of content, which will be available free of charge for seven days following the TV broadcast. The deal covers the fifth and sixth seasons of Lost, the fifth seasons of Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy and the eighth season of Scrubs.
“This new deal is the result of a successful partnership and will bring much more content for the Internet user in Latin America,” said Terra Latin America president Fernando Madeira. “Terra will offer an innovative format to Latin America’s users allowing the online advertising leverage revenues in the region.”
The new programming on Terra TV for 2009 will include the fourth seasons of Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. While series like Amazing Race (seasons 10, 11 and 12), Samantha Who?, Six Degrees, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty and Dirt will be shown for the first time on Terra TV in 2009. Terra will also bolster the Disney-branded content on Planeta Disney section with the second seasons of Hannah Montana, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
Other teen and kids fare on Terra will include Disney’s Phineas and Ferb and The Suite Life of Zach & Cody, American Dragon: Jake Long, Disney’s Little Einsteins, The Emperor’s New School and Kim Possible.
The new alliance between the two companies also covers films like The Incredibles, High School Musical 2, Princess Diaries 2, Cheetah Girls, The Sixth Sense and Flight Plan.
“One of our key strategies is to expand, support and simplify the consumer’s access to our content, embracing new technologies that help us create and distribute our programming through all platforms,” said The Walt Disney Company Latin America and DMNLA president Diego Lerner.
DMNLA also announced a deal with Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic for a pan-regional The Amazing Race. The local version will air on Discovery Channel across Latin America, featuring contestants from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela, among other markets. Pre production begins in January for a late 2009 premiere.
“I believe there is no better media outlet in Latin America to showcase the highly anticipated customised production of Amazing Race,” said DMNLA senior VP Fernando Barbosa. “We are happy to join forces with Discovery Networks on this particular journey and I trust this will be the first season of many to come. Without a doubt, it will capture Latin American audiences across the board.”
DMNLA will also take on responsibility for distributing the Disney catalogue to the US Hispanic market. This covers Disney-branded fare; content from ABC Studios; feature films from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films and Disney-Pixar; titles from Patagonik and Miravista; reality formats; and made-for-TV movies.
“The US Hispanic market is growing at a rapid rate and networks and independent stations are increasingly in need of quality original programming and feature films specifically tailored for their viewers,” said Disney-ABC Domestic Television president Janice Marinelli. “We are happy to partner with Disney Media Networks Latin America as their expertise with Spanish-language programming will play a key role in expanding this business.”
