Hemisphere Group’s U.S. Hispanic Networks Highlight New Programming

MIAMI: Hemisphere Media Group’s U.S. Hispanic channels WAPA America and Cinelatino have unveiled their 2016-17 programming slate, which includes four exclusive, original multiscreen movies co-produced with Argos Comunicaciones.

The first two films developed with Argos, the creator of the international novela hit The Lord of the Skies, will be helmed by that telenovela’s director Walter Doehner and air on Cinelatino.

“Argos is the hottest company in Spanish-language creative right now and they consistently deliver high-quality, highly rated programs,” said James M. McNamara, the vice chairman of Hemisphere. “We are thrilled to once again partner with them and we look forward to the opportunity to integrate our clients—from script development and product placement, to organic integrations in exclusive digital extensions of the films.”

Cinelatino also announced two projects centered around the “narco” culture: the narco romantic comedy Cuernito Armani: Bullets, Lies and Love, and a five-part series based on the life of El Cholo, the right-hand man to drug lord El Chapo. Additionally, the network will present the exclusive U.S. television premiere of the musical What Did You Say to God?, featuring the greatest hits of international megastar Juan Gabriel. For the first time in the network’s history, Cinelatino will be transmitting the karaoke version of the film so fans can sing along to the musician’s songs at home.

Meanwhile, WAPA America secured the exclusive U.S. premiere of the Turkish novela Sila.

“Turkish novelas are a phenomenon among viewers all over the world right now, especially among Latino audiences,” said Jose E. Ramos, the president of WAPA Television. “Sila has all of the elements that viewers want in a novela: love triangles, family drama, ultimate betrayal and shocking twists. We are proud to be at the forefront of the Turkish-novela craze in the U.S. with this exclusive premiere and are confident this will be one of this fall’s must-see novelas.”

WAPA America, which airs more than 30 hours a week of live, original news from the station’s newscast, is planning extensive political coverage leading up to this year’s U.S. presidential elections. The WAPA news team will be reporting live updates on the election cycle from key U.S. Hispanic cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Orlando.

“The candidate who prevails in this election cycle will have a tremendous impact on the future of Puerto Rico,” said Ramos. “As the second-largest Hispanic group in the United States, U.S.-based Puerto Ricans will be more interested than ever in this year’s presidential election, and WAPA America is the only station bringing them news tailor-made for them.”