Against a backdrop of Portugal raising its profile on the global content stage with its scenic locations and new tax incentives, SIC International Distribution is enhancing the lineup of telenovelas—as well as entertainment shows and docs—it can offer broadcasters and platforms around the world, Carlota Vieira tells ScreenMDM Talks.
ScreenMDM Talks caught up with Vieira, content sales deputy director at SIC International Distribution, ahead of NEM Dubrovnik, where she’ll be looking to capitalize on the region’s long love affair with telenovelas and the European country’s rising profile on the international media stage.
The country’s capital played host to two brand-new summits for the content business in April, StreamTV Europe and Content Europe. At the former, Francisco Balsemão, CEO of Impresa, parent company of broadcaster SIC, highlighted the increasing travelability of Portuguese novelas, which dominate the content landscape locally.
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Even international platforms want to get into that lucrative game for engaging with local audiences; Disney+ streamed the SIC telenovela Vitória domestically ahead of its linear broadcast, and Prime Video collaborated with the AVOD platform OPTO SIC for Red Moon: New Generation.
This hasn’t been a fluke, but rather the result of an expanding international view at SIC and Impresa at large (the company is partially owned by MediaForEurope.) SIC’s own content evolution has seen the more traditional slow-paced storytelling of melodramas shift towards faster rhythms. Meanwhile, the SIC International Distribution team has also been optimizing shows for international distribution. The strategy is paying off; Vitória—adapted from the Turkish drama Gülperi (produced by Tims&B Productions and distributed by Global Agency)—is only midway through its first season and has already landed its first sale, Vieira said. She also referenced the strong performances of dubbed titles on TF1+ and new deals in LatAm.
The company has built a thriving business across tape sales and formats in Central and Eastern Europe, Vieira said, referencing a Serbian version of Lucky Break, and the sale of Broken Promise, adapted from Kanal D’s Ruthless City, into Hungary.
While the free-to-air lineup anchors SIC International Distribution’s novela slate, the company is also showcasing shorter-run “edgier” series made for the OPTO platform, Vieira says, referencing the erotic thriller The Good Girls Club, as well as a selection of documentaries via the SIC news channel.
“We want to keep taking Portuguese drama and other genres all around the globe to different audiences.”
SIC International Distribution is exhibiting at NEM Dubrovnik.
