Univision Ups Originals Slate for 2011-2012 Season

NEW YORK: Univision Communications, which is planning to launch three new networks—devoted to sports, news and novelas—has unveiled a broad slate of original content for the 2011-2012 season, including a new strand of documentaries and additional co-pros with Venevision Productions.

The market-leading U.S. Hispanic broadcaster has nearly 500 hours of new original productions scheduled for prime-time and late night as it looks to build on its ratings momentum against its English-language counterparts.

“There is a new American reality and businesses looking to deliver growth need to establish and maintain a relationship with the fastest-growing consumer segment in our nation,” said Randy Falco, executive VP and COO at Univision. “Univision’s close to 50-year relationship with Hispanics makes us one of the leading media brands in this country and the gateway to connect with this consumer.”

Cesar Conde, president of Univision Networks, added, “Recognizing the power of the burgeoning Hispanic consumer base, Univision is investing in expanding our content across all media platforms with both traditional distributors as well as online and mobile video providers. Today we are expanding our already robust slate of original programming by unveiling nearly 500 hours of new original productions in primetime and late night, innovative series and specials. We have also expanded our partnership with Televisa, and other leading Spanish-language producers in the world, to deliver the content Hispanic America seeks via Univision’s multiple outlets and services. In addition, the upcoming launches of sports, novela and news networks will further deliver culturally-relevant, proven content to our audiences.”

At Univision, prime-time highlights include the reality series Protagonistas (Novela Stars)—a weekday show, co-produced by Univision Studios and Imagina US—and Televisa’s Pequeños Gigantes (Little Giants) for Sundays. Novelas, however, remain core to the Univision schedule, with a new crop that includes Televisa’s Dos Hogares (Two Homes), La Fuerza del Destino (The Power of Destiny) and Una Familia Con Suerte (A Fortunate Family) plus Talismán, a co-production of Univision Studios and Venevision Productions (who previously partnered on the hit Eva Luna). Univision has also announced plans for a on-hour awards gala, Premios Univision. On the news and current affairs front, the company has launched a new division, Univision Documentales, which will produce two specials a year. The first is the story of the Colombian police agents who infiltrated the FARC organization. The second will be an examination of Hispanic education in the U.S. For daytime, Univision has added the lifestyle magazine Hoy (Today) from Televisa.

At Telefutura, the drama lineup includes the Univision Studios and Venevision Productions co-pro MIA, about a fearless undercover cop, and FOX Telecolombia’s El Capo 2 and La Mariposa (The Butterfly). Late night, the network will air Univision Studios’ male-targeted Noche de Perros (Guys’ Night Out).
 
The cable network Galavision also has a FOX Telecolombia show on the grid, with Kdabra to air in weekday prime. Also on the schedule are Televisa’s reality culinary competition Prime Gourmet—El Reto (Prime Gourmet—The Challenge) and the CIN TV doc Un Mundo Aparte (Worlds Apart).