Telemundo Lashes Out at TV Azteca’s “Unjustified Use of Force”

MEXICO CITY, September 28: U.S. Hispanic broadcaster
Telemundo has lashed out at the “unjustified use of force and intimidation” on
the part of TV Azteca, which reportedly sent a contingent of people to shut
down the production of Telemundo’s new reality show Quinceañera.

According to Telemundo, a TV Azteca contingent composed of
cameramen, reporters, lawyers and private security guards, accompanied by a
court clerk and members of Mexico City's police, broke into Estudios Ajusco
last Friday and shut down the production “by force and intimidation.”

The move follows TV Azteca’s August 24 lawsuit alleging that
Nostromo, the producer of the show, and Alan Tacher, its host, were in breach
of certain alleged contracts.

“TV Azteca's unjustified use of force and intimidation is
outrageous and unacceptable," said Alfredo Richard, the head of
communications at Telemundo. “The
summons contemplated only that the parties be given notice of the judge's order
granting interim relief in the commercial dispute and did not authorize, much
less require, that force be used to serve the summons. Telemundo has always
acted in strict compliance with Mexican law. We understand that Nostromo is
appealing the order. In the meantime, production in Mexico remains closed and
we understand that a TV Azteca appointed representative is on the affected
premises to ensure that production does not begin again in Mexico."




Telemundo says the “break-in was led by TV Azteca's
personnel supported by bodyguards and as many as 50 police officers, who came
in cars without license plates, according to eye witness accounts.”

Telemundo further alleges that the TV Azteca representatives
also sought to impound all of the equipment, costumes, cameras and other assets
related to the production. 



Telemundo says it has invested more than $3 million in the
new reality show. 
"Telemundo believes that TV Azteca's claim is
completely merit less. No evidence showing any breach by Nostromo has been
produced or made available to us," added Richard. "We respect the laws and courts of
Mexico but Azteca's action are beyond all justification for an ordinary
commercial dispute. As we understand the court's order, no force was authorized
and no permission to trespass was given to TV Azteca. Trespass by employees of
TV Azteca on private property and the direction of the operation by TV
employees and lawyers was also not authorized in the court order."