The Spanish and US studios agreed on the co-development and co-production of series in Spanish, originals or adaptations from NBCUnivesal formats, aimed at the Spanish-speaking market. The first project of the plan is the Spanish version of the Emmy winner International Safe Harbour.
Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group and Buendia Estudios have forged a partnership to co-develop and co-produce Spanish-language series for the global market. The pact will see the two leading studios partnering on a bespoke slate of original programming, as well as adapting NBCUniversal formats for the Spanish market.
As part of the deal, the first project will be a Spanish adaptation of the International Emmy award-winning format Safe Harbour, a bold psychological thriller that follows a group of friends who set sail on a yachting trip and later come to the aid of a broken-down boat with asylum seekers on board. The thought-provoking show explores themes of friendship, trust, justice and the universal struggle experienced by refugees all over the world.
Ignacio Corrales, CEO of Buendía Estudios: ‘This agreement is a fundamental step on our strategy to create and produce premium Spanish-language content for global audiences. A partnership that unites two complementary teams that have in common the passion and commitment to tell good stories’.
Beatrice Springborn, President of Universal International Studios: ‘As a studio we pride ourselves on telling human and daring stories, which reflect the world we live in and celebrate local sensibility and nuance. Working with the best-in-class storytellers and talent at Buendia Estudios will enable us to deliver on our commitment to create more local language programming that promises to captivate and entertain audiences worldwide’.
Enrique Guillén, EVP, Commercial Strategy and International Development, NBCUniversal Formats: ‘Buendia Estudios is a leading supplier of premium Spanish language content. We are thrilled to enter into this partnership and to start working together on a project with the immediacy and importance of Safe Harbour, tackling some profound human themes that bind us all together’.
Sonia Martínez, editorial director of Buendía Estudios: ‘In an increasingly globalized world in which real events cross borders, we have the chance of translating this reality into fiction that, without losing its universal interest, reaches the viewer with a unique and differential local flavor. We are very excited about this first project and the opportunity of bringing «Safe Harbour» to new Spanish-speaking audiences’.
