Viewers in Mexico and Canada are set to enjoy a premium selection of drama programs from the Kapuso Network.
This was made possible by GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI), a wholly owned subsidiary of GMA Network that syndicates its content to the international market.
A localized version of Munting Heredera (Little Heiress) will be produced by Mexican company Telefilm Atlantico S.A., who acquired the program’s format through GWI’s license agent in South America, Latin Media Corporation.
Considered as one of the Network’s most successful dramas, Munting Heredera, which tells of a grandmother’s search for her heiress, is the first GMA scripted drama to be produced in Latin America.
Meanwhile, major Canadian broadcasting company Rogers Media Inc. acquired a package of Kapuso titles in high definition that will air on their free TV channel. These include My Destiny, Second Chances (Another Chance), and Beautiful Strangers, among others.
“GMA Worldwide continues to be the company of choice for Filipino content,” says GWI Vice President Roxanne J. Barcelona. “Our presence in various territories proves that our content is relevant and favored not just among Filipino viewers but more importantly, among foreign viewers as well. We are fortunate to have steadily grown our market in Asia and Africa, and are looking forward to closing more deals in other territories,” she adds.
Barcelona also revealed that Papua New Guinea and Turkey have expressed interest in both GMA’s canned titles and drama formats. “In territories that do not have a tradition of acquiring foreign content or in countries where foreign content forms a very small percentage of the programming grid, we offer our drama formats which they can produce with their own local artists,” she says.
“Syndicating Filipino content internationally is not easy as there is much competition. However, the demand is steadily growing and this is why my team and I exert much effort to deliver only the best to all our clients,” Barcelona relates.
This year, GWI marks an important milestone as it celebrates its 20th year in the industry.
Through GWI, GMA’s content has become widely available in most of Southeast Asia and in select countries in Africa such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. GMA’s programs are also sold in Hawaii and Canada and soon in Eastern Europe.