ViacomCBS Boosts Spanish-language Power With Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico Acquisition

By Stuart Thomson

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Spanish language content producer Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico from The Walt Disney Company and the group’s founding family.

ViacomCBS International Studios’ VIS, a division of VCNI, will operate Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico as a collaborative partnership with the family. Samuel Duque Rozo, Founder and CEO of the company, will continue to exclusively support the business from a creative and strategic advisory position, and Samuel Duque Duque, current president, will lead the business.

Within ViacomCBS, Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico will fall under the remit of Juan Acosta, President of ViacomCBS International Studios and Networks Americas.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

The deal will give VCNI access to Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico’s studio operations in both Colombia and Mexico, as well as library content, which is comprised of entertainment spanning multiple genres including premium series, telenovelas, films, documentaries, unscripted, kids and family, branded and digital content and live sports shows produced for various audiences.

This content will be used to supply ViacomCBS’ global streaming platforms including Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and its linear networks around the world.

Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico will also be tapped to bolster ViacomCBS’ Spanish language content production capabilities to capitalize on content demand in the region and worldwide.

ViacomCBS believes that the transaction ,combined with VCNI’s existing portfolio in Latin America, which includes VIS’ studio business and  broadcasters Telefe in Argentina and Chilevisión in Chile, will position it as one of a leading Spanish-language content production companies globally.

“The acquisition of Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico, combined with ViacomCBS’ existing Spanish-language portfolio including Telefe and Chilevisión, reinforces the company’s position as a leading worldwide producer of Spanish-language contentThis content will fuel ViacomCBS’ global ecosystem across Paramount+, Pluto TV and its linear networks,” said president and CEO, ViacomCBS Networks International, Raffaele Annecchino.

Duque Rozo said: “This announcement is very fulfilling and I feel very honoured that Fox TeleColombia & Estudios TeleMexico will continue its expansion and growth in the hands of such an amazing company as ViacomCBS and its talented and visionary executives. The extraordinary work that our team has made during all these years, combined with ViacomCBS’ vision, iconic brands, experience, professionalism, creativity among much more, will bring nothing less but the best for both businesses.”