Cisneros Media Distribution (CMD), a global distributor of entertainment content, today announced the sale of the broadcast rights of Telefe’s novela “Somos Familia” [We Are Family] to AMC Networks International–UK for its airing on Eva, the telenovela channel available exclusively in Africa.

Cisneros Media Distribution signed an exclusive representation deal for Africa with Telefe, the leading content production, distribution and audiovisual services company in Argentina, this past October during the international market MIPCOM 2015; and within a few months, it was able to secure “Somos Familia” on the Pay-TV channel that celebrates the telenovela genre with programming dubbed in English and Portuguese.

“The distribution strategy designed for Telefe’s catalogue in Africa introduces our traditional productions alongside their trademark edginess style; this has increased the potential of business opportunities, attracting clients’ interest by building a stronger offer,” stated Marcello Coltro, EVP of Content Distribution for Cisneros Media.  “We are really excited to have included ‘Somos Familia’ as part of the output deal agreement with Eva, and we are looking forward to a continued partnership with Telefe in the region.”

Telefe’s “Somos Familia” is part of an output agreement with Eva that also includes a few of Cisneros Media’s original productions, including such titles as “Amor Secreto” [Secret Love], “La Mujer Perfecta” [The Perfect Woman], and “Voltea” [Fallen Over Love].

“We are very pleased to see how fast we’ve obtained results in the region thanks to the distribution agreement with Cisneros Media Distribution.  Africa is strategic territory for Telefe, and we are sure that this is the first of several deals we'll achieve together,” emphasized Daniel Otaola, Head of Content Distribution for Telefe.

Chris Sharp, Chief Programming Officer, AMC Networks International–UK, said of the deal: “We are excited to extend our partnership with Cisneros Media Distribution and introduce yet another highly popular and high-quality production to the Eva viewers.  ‘Somos Familia’ is the first Argentinean series to be broadcast on Eva, and it will be a great addition to the line-up of first run telenovelas on the channel.”

“Somos Familia” (183 x 60’ / 2014) was produced by Enrique Estevanez and written by Marcelo Nacci and Laura Barneix, and features a diverse and talented cast that stars Colombian actress Ana Maria Orozco and Argentinean actor Gustavo Bermudez in the leading roles.  The telenovela centers on the relationship between Joaquin (Gustavo Bermudez), a famous businessman, owner of a motorcycle manufacturing plant, and his maid Manuela (Ana Maria Orozco).  After the tragic death of the Mirandas, Joaquin became the legal guardian of his friend’s four children.  One of them is Pilar, who is actually Manuela’s daughter.  Manuela was pregnant at 15 and had to give her newborn daughter up for adoption; years later, she became a journalist and discovered Pilar had been adopted by the Mirandas, so she took a job as a maid in their home.  Upon the Mirandas' deaths, she came along with the children to work for Joaquin.