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Sharing key for NBC

Jan 14, 2002  •  Post A Comment

Telemundo Network, which is in the process of being acquired by General Electric’s NBC, is embarking on several synergistic, shared programming efforts with NBC and the Public Broadcasting System.
Shared efforts with NBC include repurposed windows for Telemundo’s upcoming “Billboard Latin Music Awards” and NBC’s recently aired Jennifer Lopez concert special.
Having secured a new three-year deal with Miami-Dade County, Fla., to serve as the home to the “Billboard Latin Music Awards” (to be broadcast Sunday, May 12, on Telemundo), the Hispanic broadcaster is talking with NBC about producing an Anglo version of the telecast as well.
Alan Sokol, chief operating officer of Telemundo, said discussions are ongoing to provide an English-language version of the awards on NBC or in broadcast syndication by NBC Enterprises.
Conversely, NBC is going to provide a re-edited Spanish-language version of the “Jennifer Lopez in Concert” special to Telemundo, with 30 minutes of additional concert footage for rebroadcast in February.
“There are going to be a few special opportunities where both of our programming has crossover appeal in each of our markets, but it is an obvious synergy between us and NBC in doing reciprocal licensing arrangements,” Mr. Sokol said.
In keeping with a broadened effort to reach Hispanic American viewers with programming specifically produced in the U.S. market, Mr. Sokol confirmed that Telemundo has closed a deal for a secondary window on PBS’s “American Family” drama (EM, Jan. 7).
Mr. Sokol said Telemundo will begin broadcasting a dubbed Spanish-language version of the Gregory Nava-created drama in a 90-day delayed window from PBS’s first broadcast starting sometime in April. PBS will premiere the 12-episode series in its 8 p.m.-to-9 p.m. Wednesday time slot starting on Jan. 23.
“We view this as being very special in terms of making an English-language drama accessible to our Spanish-language dominant audience,” Mr. Sokol said. “This is something we also see as being a future template in forging other shared programming ventures with English-language broadcasters in the United States and other territories.”