ViacomCBS announced some of the original content for Latin America in production to reinforce the catalog of its streaming service, Paramount Plus, which already has more than 5,000 hours of programming. The first original titles are expected to debut in the third quarter.
Bob Bakish, ViacomCBS president and CEO, said the company, which owns brands like Paramount, Showtime, MTV, Nick, Comedy Central, BET, Smithsonian, Telefe and ViacomCBS International Studios, will produce more than 900 programs in 2021, including movies, series, documentaries and reality shows, many of them in partnership with local producers and studios.
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Among the first local productions to arrive at Paramount Plus are Cecília, a Mexican drama series about a woman who, after a serious accident, tries to keep the family together; and As Seguidoras, a Brazilian comedy in partnership with the producer Porta dos Fundos on the universe of influencers. Among the movies, we highlight the thriller Medusa, about a murder in a paradise resort; and the romance At Midnight.
Among the documentaries, some documentary series about personalities from Brazil and Mexico, such as Adriano, the Emperor, a documentary series about the Brazilian football player; Dr. Ballí, based on the life of Mexican doctor Alfredo Ballí, who murdered his lover and inspired the character Hannibal Lecter; and La Gran Ola, which tells the life of Carlos “Coco” Nogales, a famous Mexican surfer.
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According to Tiago Worcman, head of Youth & Entertainment at ViacomCBS, comedy and reality shows are the most consumed genre and program formats in Latin America and, therefore, the company’s priorities. ViacomCBS will exchange programs that are audience success in Latin American countries.
De Férias com Ex, for example, will get a Mexican version, while Acapulco Shore will get a Brazilian version, the Rio Shore. And, following the success of gastronomic shows, Argentina will have Manos arribas, chef.
