US network picks up DMG’s Rebelde Way

UK listed telenovela producer and distributor Dori Media Group has sold its hit telenovela Rebelde Way to a US network. The as-yet-unnamed broadcaster has optioned the show and, if it decides to make a pilot, a US version could be on screen by late 2008.

"The networks invest $1.5m to $2m per episode, that’s a huge amount of money," said Dori CEO Nadav Palti. "If they do invest that, it will be a huge success."

Dori has just launched its latest telenovela Lalola. Produced in Argentina, pre-buyers include French channel operator Groupe AB, Russia’s CTC and Mexico’s Multivision.

Meanwhile, Palti said that DMG is in talks with Mexico’s Televisa regarding a five-year deal that would see DMG produce telenovelas that would air in primetime on Televisa’s domestic channels. Such a deal would enable Televisa to contain production costs, which are about twice as much in Mexico as in Argentina, where a prime-time telenovela can be produced for $25,000-to-$35,000 per episode.