MAM
Fremantle Media bags rights to telenovela Betty La Fea in Europe
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has announced that it has bagged the rights to roll out the hit Colombian telenovela format, Yo Soy Betty La Fea, (I am ugly Betty) in Europe.
Fremantle has acquired the rights from Colombian broadcaster RCN, which first aired the show in 1999. The novela went on to be a major hit in a number of other countries.
FremantleMedia CEO Europe, Latin America, The Middle East & Asia Pacific Doug Gluck said,”We are really pleased to be rolling out this hit format around Europe. The demand in telenovelas is going from strength to strength and as always FremantleMedia is ahead of the market. Betty La Fea is an example of a great telenovela formula. There is no doubt that broadcasters around Europe are as enthusiastic as we are.”
Fremantle’s acquisition builds on increasing demand for telenovelas on the international market. Recently, the company secured a commission for the format with John De Mol’s Dutch channel, Talpa. The local version of the telenovela, which is entitled De Liefdes van Lotte, is being produced by FremantleMedia’s Dutch production company, Blue Circle, and is scheduled to air in February.
A German version of Betty La Fea entitled Verliebt in Berlin is produced by FremantleMedia’s local production company, Grundy UFA. The series first aired in February 2005 and regularly attracted 4.5 million viewers, consistently exceeding the time slot average share by over 100% for adults 14 to 49.
The format of Yo Soy Betty La Fea follows a young woman who is bright, dedicated, innovative, kind but has one flaw – she is unattractive. She starts a new job surrounded by beautiful colleagues and tries to win the heart of her handsome boss.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
