NATAS Chief Seeks to Expand Latin Emmys

NEW YORK, July 25: Peter Price, the president and CEO of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, is looking to build the Spanish-language Emmys—taking place in New York this October—into a major event that would, like the Primetime and Daytime Emmys, be broadcast on network TV.

The Leaders of Spanish Language Television Awards presents Emmys to six Spanish television stars who represent the best in Spanish-language television news, talk shows, novelas and sports programming. This year’s recipients will be: Fernando Arau, the morning show host of Univision’s Despierta America; Saul Lisazo, a novela star who is currently starring in Telemundo’s Tierra de Pasiones; Telemundo’s sports anchor Jessi Losada; Lucero, star of the Televisa telenovela Alborada; Maria Elena Salinas, co-anchor of Noticiero Univision; and Cristina Saralegui, the host of Univision’s popular prime-time talk show Cristina.

The Leaders of Spanish Language Television Awards will be presented on October 19, at the Time Life Building in New York. Last year’s was held in San Antonio, Texas. "We have been trying for a long time to organize a bigger, broader and deeper show," Price is quoted as saying in the Associated Press. "I think given the lift we’ve gotten from the mayor and this city we should hope that is forthcoming."

Price continued, "This is probably the fastest-growing part of our industry," he said.