Sebastian Ortega de NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
Underground and Telemundo are preparing more than 20 shows this year, which they will produce between 2021 and 2022, including comedies and dramas, mentioned Sebastián Ortega, SVP and Creative Director of Telemundo Global Studios and Underground Producciones (NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises), during his participation in MIPCancun Online+.
Ortega spoke about his career path with his production company Underground, founded in 2005, and that in 2019 was bought by Telemundo NBCUniversal Enterprises.
He explained how they evolved from making telenovelas to 13-episode miniseries, comedies, actions, and drama. “I am lucky to have grown up in the US, my mentality was always more global. Our formats have been sold to many countries, not only in Latin America but in Europe, Asia, and the US. In 2008 we partnered with Endemol, which was our first great step to enter the international market. We sold the format of LaLola to more than 80 countries and it was made in different languages,” he said.
He highlighted that it has not always been easy, but they decided to take risks and put their attention and devotion to the ideas they thought would be innovative. “Marcos Santana has been a friend of mine for many years, and we met traveling to these fairs. He has helped Telemundo grow by facing challenges. A couple of years ago, he offered me to be part of the Telemundo family and I gladly accepted”. He mentioned that the success of projects such as El Recluso, 100 Días Para Enamorarnos are a good signal of the path of that fusion.
He advised independent producers who are starting to not give up and to feed their enthusiasm with passion and the belief that they will reach the other side.
