Sequel of Colombia’s ‘Pedro el Escamoso’ Transcends Borders

Disney+ Latin America and Caracol TV’s collaboration on Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever has redefined streaming and free-to-air broadcasting in Latin America. The show’s bold distribution strategy and record-breaking ratings mark a pivotal moment for television.

A Revolutionary Approach to Distribution

In a groundbreaking move for Latin American television, Disney+ Latin America and Caracol TV partnered to simultaneously air and stream Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever (Pedro el escamoso: más escamoso que nunca), a sequel to the beloved Pedro el escamoso series. This innovative distribution strategy shattered traditional models, which usually stagger releases between free-to-air (FTA) networks and streaming platforms.

“Typically, when an FTA network is involved, the show airs first on television, followed by a streaming debut months later. With Peter the Great, we opted for a simultaneous launch across both platforms,” explained Fernando Barbosa, SVP & General Manager of Media Networks at The Walt Disney Company Latin America, in an exclusive interview with Variety. “This approach was a first for us and Caracol, and it paid off tremendously,” Barbosa continued.

By releasing all episodes on Disney+ while airing the series in prime time on Caracol TV, the co-production leveraged both platforms’ strengths, reaching an audience that might not traditionally overlap. Barbosa elaborated, “The audiences for FTA and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) platforms are quite different, so we didn’t see much risk of cannibalization. It was truly a win-win for both Caracol and Disney.”

For viewers, this was a treat. They could watch Peter the Great unfold on a weeknight schedule on television or binge-watch the entire season on Disney+ whenever they wanted. This dual-platform approach reflects the rapidly changing landscape of content consumption, particularly in Latin America, where audiences are increasingly looking to streaming services for entertainment.

A Sequel for a New Generation

Pedro Coral, the charming, eccentric character who became a household name in Colombia and beyond two decades ago, is at the heart of Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever. The original Pedro el escamoso, which aired in the early 2000s, was a cultural phenomenon that resonated with audiences for its humor, heart, and Pedro’s larger-than-life personality, portrayed by actor Miguel Varoni.

In the sequel, Pedro returns to his hometown after years abroad, only to find that much has changed. His son, Pedro Jr., has grown into a successful professional. Pedro Sr. tries to impress him with tales of his past adventures—many exaggerated or entirely fabricated. Pedro’s fabrications unravel as the plot progresses, leading him to work as a messenger at the company where his son is vice president.

“Pedro Coral is a character that has transcended generations. The sequel introduces him to a younger audience while keeping the essence of the original series,” said Lisette Osorio, VP of Business Affairs at Caracol TV, during an interview with Variety. “Disney’s involvement allowed us to take this iconic character and bring him to life on multiple screens, turning it into a global conversation.”

The blend of old and new has worked. Osorio noted that the show tapped into nostalgia for the original series while connecting with a new generation of viewers. “We’ve managed to create something that resonates with people who watched the original Pedro el Escamoso 20 years ago, as well as with younger audiences who are discovering the character for the first time,” she added.

A Ratings Juggernaut

From a ratings perspective, Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever has been a resounding success. According to Caracol TV, the 23-episode series dominated prime time during its run, averaging a 9.3 rating and capturing a 44.2% share. More than 6.5 million Colombians tuned in per episode, with the grand finale achieving an astounding 47.1% share and a 9.3 rating.

These numbers are even more impressive when compared to its competition. During its finale, Peter the Great outperformed Yo Soy Betty La Fea, a Colombian classic, which drew a 25.1% share and a 5.0 rating. “The response to Peter the Great exceeded all expectations,” Osorio stated in an interview. “It became the most successful series Caracol has produced in recent years.”

Barbosa also highlighted the success of Disney+, noting that the show performed well not only in Latin America but also in multiple international markets where it was available. “We’ve seen strong streaming numbers in places like the Philippines, South Africa, and Spain, in addition to the robust performance across Latin America,” Barbosa shared with Variety. “This speaks to the universal appeal of Pedro Coral as a character.”

Barbosa explained that Disney+ measured the series’ success using various key performance indicators, including hours streamed, reach, and completion rates. “The completion rate for Peter the Great was awe-inspiring, with a significant portion of viewers watching the series from start to finish,” he added.

Global Impact: ‘Pedro’ Transcends Borders

One of the most remarkable aspects of Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever is its international reach. While the show was primarily designed for Colombian and Latin American audiences, its success has extended far beyond the region. After its launch on Disney+ Latin America, the series was made available in countries as far-flung as Singapore, the Balkans, Andorra, and Australia. It even aired on Univision and UnivisionTelevisa’s ViX platform in the U.S., catering to the Hispanic market.

“We were thrilled to see Pedro el Escamoso’s travelability on Disney+. It’s always a challenge to create a regional hit, but Peter the Great managed to do just that,” Barbosa told Variety. “The show has become a regional phenomenon, and we’ve seen strong engagement in countries across Latin America.”

Caracol TV and Disney’s success reflects the power of solid content distribution networks. “We’re sharing Pedro’s distribution throughout the world, which means we’ve been able to reach a truly global audience,” Barbosa said. “It’s rare to see a co-production with this level of international success.”

As for the future, both Caracol and Disney+ are optimistic about continuing their partnership. “We are certainly looking forward to co-producing more seasons of Peter the Great,” Barbosa confirmed to Variety. “Given the show’s performance, it’s clear that there’s a demand for more stories from Pedro Coral’s world.”

Osorio echoed this sentiment, noting that Peter the Great has proven the viability of cross-platform co-productions. “This series has broken barriers, not just in terms of its content but also in how it was distributed. We’re excited to continue exploring new ways to bring this story to the world,” she said in her interview.

Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever has revitalized a beloved Colombian character and reshaped the landscape of television distribution in Latin America. Simultaneously airing the series on Caracol TV and Disney+, the co-production has demonstrated the power of cross-platform collaboration in today’s entertainment world.

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The success of Peter the Great underscores the importance of innovation in content creation and distribution. As audiences continue to evolve, so too must the ways in which stories are told and shared. For Caracol and Disney+, Pedro Coral’s journey is far from over—both on screen and across the globe.