The Telenovela is a TV drama genre that attracts vast audiences both in developing and developed countries. The total number of Telenovela viewers around the world is estimated by Industry sources at 2 billion.
A typical telenovela is shown five or six days a week in prime time or day time, and has about 120 to 150 episodes over the course of 6 to 15 months. Unlike English language soap operas, which go on indefinitely, Telenovelas roll to definite climatic, nation-paralyzing endings. Telenovela are known for their ability to form strong emotional links with the viewers. The genre is even more advantageous, considering that Telenovela are the cheapest and most economically efficient dramas to produce.
Although originally part of Latin American television culture, the Telenovela format has been successfully exported to many countries and territories and has been very popular with local audiences (sometimes dubbed or subtitled into the local language and at other times reproduced on the basis of the original format in familiar locations and with local actors). The genre is particularly popular with children and youth audiences and provides many opportunities for merchandising and other complementary business including music CDs, live shows, print magazines, DVDs and other ancillary business.
In a world that seeks loyalty of viewers, there is almost no greater loyalty-generating content than daily melodramas like the Telenovela.
