EXCLUSIVE: Telenovela channel, Telemundo launches across Africa on DStv this August

NBCUniversal-backed Spanish language broadcaster Telemundo is launching a pay TV channel across almost 50 African countries.

The channel’s division of NBCUniversal International Television today announced the launch of Telemundo, the popular telenovela channel, in Africa. DStv customers across Africa will be the first ones to enjoy the channel and its passionate and dramatic telenovelas outside of Latin America. Launching on the DStv platform on channel 118 in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa on Monday, August 12, Telemundo will exclusively air telenovelas with the tag line: “Telemundo – Feel the Passion.”

“Telenovelas are an editorial and television force internationally and we are particularly excited to bring Telemundo to Africa exclusively with DStv,” says Colin McLeod, Managing Director Emerging Markets, Universal Networks International. “Together we believe we can help to drive multi-channel television to an even broader market – for those who traditionally only want to watch free TV, Telemundo will give them a great reason to want DStv.”

Telemundo in Africa will be dedicated to the most compelling Spanish language telenovelas, offering DStv customers a dramatic rollercoaster of romance, mystery, action and adventure for the whole family to enjoy. Telemundo will bring the world of exotic locations and glamorous personalities into African homes.

At launch, viewers can look forward to fascinating stories of love, success and betrayal with high quality production values in telenovelas including Aurora, Precious Rose, My Heart Beats for Lola and Behind Closed Doors.

“We are very excited to bring Telemundo to our DStv Access, Family, Compact and Premium customers, who will for the first time enjoy the best telenovelas available worldwide in English,” says Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. “Our customers are already enjoying the entertainment on offer on the 5 Universal Networks International channels available on DStv. Telemundo is a great addition which further strengthens our partnership with Universal Networks International.”

Telemundo will be fully localised for the African market with full dubbing of Spanish-language programming in English for South African and Sub-Saharan countries, and full dubbing in Portuguese for Angola and Mozambique.

Telemundo becomes the fifth channel brand from Universal Networks International to launch in Africa, joining the recently refreshed channels – Universal Channel, E! Entertainment Television and The Style Network, Kidsco, and movies channel, Studio Universal. Further, NBCUniversal News Group also operates CNBC channels across the continent.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Exclusively dedicated to telenovelas, Telemundo brings dramatic storylines, exotic locations and glamorous personalities to Africa, under the tagline: “Feel the passion”
• From August 12 will reach DStv customers in 48 countries across the African continent
• Available in English and Portuguese, Telemundo is available exclusively to DStv customers