RCN’s first youth-oriented telenovela bites into new international territories Charting a course similar to Disney Channel’s hit telenovela Violetta, RCN’s Chica Vampiro (Vampire Girl) has moved beyond its ratings success in Latin America to become a hit in Italy. The new 120 x 40-minute live-action series for tweens debuted on Italian 24-hour Turner kidsnet Boing! on October 31. By January, it had drawn more than one million kid viewers. Chica Vampiro bowed on Colombian terrestrial channel RCN, where it is now the most-viewed program among four to 17s in the country. With L&M opportunities in Italy and an expanding app presence, the future is looking bright for the new dramedy. Growth of a genre RCN’s director of international sales María Lucía Hernández says the timing is right to promote telenovelas for kids on a global scale. “The biggest limitation a few years ago was how to export the genre internationally, but now a lot of territories—especially in Southern and Eastern Europe—have realized it is a strong genre beyond LATAM. We’re receiving more worldwide interest,” Hernández says. She adds that the series is unique because it melds what great telenovelas do best with a supernatural twist, special effects and music. “It has strong storylines and characters and all the classic dramedy of novelas, but combines the real world with the vampire world.” Based on a story by acclaimed Argentinean author Marcela Citterio (Ugly Duckling, Love in Custody), Chica Vampiro follows 17-year-old Daisy (Colombian actress Greeicy Rendon), an ordinary girl who is forced to hide the fact that her parents are vampires. Comedic situations unfold when, after a tragic accident, she becomes a vampire herself and must find ways to keep her secret from love interest Max, played by Argentinean actor Santiago Talledo. Brand extensions As RCN continues to build momentum with broadcasters, Italian agent Turner’s first wave of Chica Vampiro consumer products is set to roll out by late 2014. The IP’s first licensee, Giochi Preziosi, has signed on for a back-to- school line, while additional negotiations are in the works for publishing, music and apparel. On the digital front, the show’s microsite features behind-the-scenes videos and photos, daily news, games and a karaoke section. An official Chica Vampiro app is also available on the App Store, Google Play and Amazon. RCN is promoting the series across TV, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and major newspapers, buses and trains in Milan and Rome. What’s next With Nickelodeon LATAM set to air the second half of season one this year, and negotiations underway for a possible second season, Hernández believes the global popularity of Chica Vampiro, and telenovelas for kids in general, will continue to rise. “It’s not unlike how Disney’s Violetta expanded to the UK after breaking ratings records in Italy, France, Spain and Latin America.” –Jeremy Dickson