Vivendi Acquires Rights to Televisa Content - will release all of Televisa’s content among the U.S. market.

Vivendi Entertainment has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Televisa Home Entertainment's new DVD releases. Under the multiyear deal, Vivendi will release at least 15 titles annually.

Mexico's Televisa, the world's No. 1 Spanish-language media company, is best known for its popular television programming. Their original programming, which airs on Univision, includes highly rated telenovelas such as "Destilando Amor," "La Fea Mas Bella" and "Rubí" as well as such Mexican comedy icons as El Chavo del Ocho and El Chapulín Colorado, from their eponymous TV shows.

"Televisa is the premier brand within the Latino community, and they are a perfect complement to our anchor brands in other categories," said Yolanda Macias, EVP of acquisitions and business development for Vivendi. "The relationship and influence they have with their consumer is unparalleled."

Vivendi already distributes Code Black, National Geographic, Salient, Shout! Factory and The Weinstein Co., among others.

A few Televisa titles already have rolled out under Vivendi. Upcoming titles include the telenovelas  Mañana Es Para Siempre, with Lucero, Silvia Navarro and Fernando Colunga; and Sortilegio, with William Levy and Jacqueline Bracamontes. Dates and prices have not yet been announced.

While this is Vivendi's first exclusive agreement with Televisa, it is not the first time the companies have worked together.

In 2004 Vivendi picked up distribution for Xenon Pictures, who brought along Televisa titles. Xenon has long held the distribution rights to the coveted Televisa titles since August 2002, when Grupo Televisa partnered with Xenon to develop and distribute its domestic video brand, Televisa Home Entertainment.

Between 2004 and 2008, Vivendi and Xenon launched the telenovela category in the DVD marketplace and helped create special sections for the genre at retail with such popular titles as  Rebelde and Amor Real.

"Televisa Home Entertainment is proud to partner with Vivendi Entertainment, who has confirmed year after year their leadership in the Hispanic market, thanks to the strong support and professionalism they put in every title," said Maca Rotter, executive director of Televisa Consumer Products. "From now on THE and Vivendi Entertainment will release all of Televisa's content among the U.S. market."

Lionsgate most recently distributed Televisa titles. In March 2008 the rights to Xenon's products, including Televisa titles, went to mini-major Lionsgate. Xenon will continue to distribute Televisa's catalog titles through Lionsgate, under the "Televisa Classics" line. As Xenon's rights expire, the titles will revert back to Televisa, and Vivendi.