Now, NBC has an arrangement with Electus to develop a trio of novelas, looking for one 13-episode version to make it to the network with multiple episodes running weekly. On Spanish-language networks, the serials (or soap operas to some) run for many nights in a row.
NBC and Electus are moving ahead with adapting Venezuelan novela” The Black Widow” for an American audience. The drama had 142 episodes.
Electus chief Ben Silverman is a co-executive producer. Silverman had a producer role on ABC's “Ugly Betty,” an adaptation of a Colombian novela while he led Reveille.
advertisement
advertisement
“We believe there is huge potential for telenovelas to be adapted and developed for American viewers,” stated NBC entertainment chief Jennifer Salke. “These stories clearly have resonance across all cultures and nationalities.”
Silverman is known for an ability to match brands with content and Spanish-language broadcasters have used novelas as significant brand integration platforms.
Electus’ international arm will hold distribution rights for the novelas, except for several countries and territories.
This is exciting news, it will be a step moving forward to showing the need to reach out to the U.S Hispanic population that are looking to continue their traditional Telenovleas, targeting towards Hispanic Bilinguals who still enjoy traditional telenovelas in their language. Being Hispanic myself, it gives me great pleasure to see novelas, that are not old school, rich girl poor girl, or maid like, but business owners, real tv like comparable to today general market TV shows. Excellent choice!