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Telefe signs deal with Fluent Media Group to develop series in the U.S.

Maribel Ramos-Weiner| April 20, 2011

Fernando Varela, director of International Business of Telefe

Fluent Media Group (FMG) signed a deal to develop and produce TV series from the Telefe catalog for the U.S. market.FMG develops formats and content and turns them into series for the U.S. market. Headed by Raúl Mateu, the company signed agreements last year with Sony Pictures Television/Showtime, ABC Studios, Fox Television Studios, and Lionsgate Television.“The U.S. market craves our ideas and Telefe is by far the number one producer of content in Argentina. We are going to explore strategic opportunities for its catalog and we will find the best American partners,” said Mateu.The parties will also seek the opportunity to bring American productions to Argentina.Telefe is not new to the U.S. market. It has already sold several formats in the region, including Hermanos y detectives, the pilot of which was produced by ABC in 2009. The company is also trying to consolidate itself as a source of high-quality content. Telefe currently has five properties being developed in the U.S.“We had great success a couple of years ago when Raúl represented us as our agent, and it is a pleasure to work with him in again because we know he truly respects and cares about our content. We believe in our products’ potential in the U.S. market, and that is why our relationship with FMG is a strategic one,” said Fernando Varela, director of International Business and Michelle Wasserman, manager of International Sales of Telefe.