Telemundo Introduces More “Super Series,” Sunday Prime-Time Block

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NEW YORK: Telemundo’s newly unveiled lineup includes four so-called super series, as well as a Sunday prime-time programming block featuring a kids’ talent show, two miniseries, a late show hosted by Don Francisco and more.

The new super series coming to the network are El Chema, a spin-off of the popular series El Señor de los Cielos starring Mauricio Ochman; Hugo Chavez, El Comandante, a fictional story inspired by the life of Hugo Chavez; season five of El Señor de los Cielos; and Señora Acero 3, La Coyote, the third season in the franchise. Telemundo also announced three serialized dramas: La Querida del Centauro season two; La Doña (The Mrs.), based on the literary work by Romulo Gallegos; and Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso, the sequel to one of Telemundo’s highest-rated novelas, Sin Senos No Hay Paraíso.

The network is ramping up its slate of musical dramas and comedies as well. The roster includes Guerra de Idolos (War of Idols), which follows the story of the Solar family and Mexican music idol Julio Cesar Solar; La Fan (The Fan), about the woman who is the ultimate fan of telenovela actor Lucas Duarte; and Silvana Sin Lana, a romantic comedy about a wealthy woman who moves to a working-class neighborhood and meets Manuel, a fishmonger with a distaste for snobby people. Both Guerra de Idolos and La Fan are working titles.

The Sunday prime-time lineup is anchored by Los Reporteros (working title), a 60-minute news magazine show produced by Noticias Telemundo. A new three-hour programming block branded Domingos de Telemundo was unveiled at the Upfront. The shows will be taped in front of a live studio audience from a high-tech set that will morph with each new format. Hour one, Siempre Niños (working title) at 8 p.m., will be a kids’ talent show. Hour two, ZOOMUNDO (working title) at 9 p.m., will be a show featuring co-host and wildlife expert Ron Magill, guest celebrities, footage from animals around the world and a variety of exotic creatures as special guests. Hour three, Don Francisco Te Invita (working title) at 10 p.m., will be a late show featuring a house band plus interviews and games with a variety of celebrities, models, comedians, actors and more. In addition, Domingos de Telemundo will feature two new miniseries: El César, the story of Mexican boxing champ Julio César Chávez, and CORTES, Conquistador de Mexico, based on the book Hernan Cortes, Inventor de Mexico by Juan Miralles.

Telemundo also announced it will expand its morning show, Un Nuevo Día, by an hour and a half.

The programming slate for NBC Universo includes season three of The Walking Dead and two reality series: Zapata Justice, which follows the Mexican-American members of the sheriff’s department in a small Texas border town, and The Riveras, a celeb-reality series that follows the lives of the late Mexican music icon Jenni Rivera’s children.

“The U.S. Hispanic market continues to be the biggest growth opportunity for any business,” said Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. “We are redefining Hispanic media by investing in the most innovative original content, a $250 million state-of-the-art facility and the best talent, in front of and behind the cameras. And, we are pleased our investments are paying off as we see a tectonic change in Hispanic media where more and more viewers are flocking to the Telemundo Enterprises platforms.”

“Our programming strategy, fortified by the success of super series and bio-musicals, has strengthened our positioning as the network that is redefining Hispanic TV with innovative formats and original productions,” added Luis Silberwasser, the president of Telemundo Network and NBC Universo Cable Channel. “Our strategy of bringing new ideas, stories and formats to Hispanic viewers is working, and we will stay on that path. Heading into this Upfront season, we’ve gained more viewers year-over-year in Monday to Friday prime time among key demos and are capitalizing on that momentum continuing to close the gap with our competitor.”

“Backed by NBCUniversal’s unparalleled ability to combine data, premium content and distribution at scale, Telemundo is uniquely poised to reach and inspire the most Hispanics more effectively than any other media company,” said Mike Rosen, the executive VP of advertising sales, news and Hispanic groups at NBCUniversal. “Based on salient cultural and consumer insights, our sales team collaborates with advertisers to create and execute breakthrough, unbreakable marketing solutions to reach the modern U.S. Hispanic audience, with both power and precision.”