Univision Invests in The Onion

NEW YORK: Univision Communications’s digital arm, Univision Digital, has become a minority investor in the comedy and news satire brand The Onion.

The Onion Inc. will operate independently, though Univision Communications will have oversight to leverage Univision Digital’s distribution, resources and media expertise to expand the exposure of the brand. In particular, Univision Digital will work with Onion Inc.’s brands to explore new content opportunities, including short- and long-form formats for each Onion brand across digital and linear platforms.

“Comedy is playing an expanding role in our culture as a vehicle for audiences to explore, debate and understand the important ideas of our time,” said Isaac Lee, the chief news and digital officer of Univision and CEO of Fusion. “It has also proven to be an incredibly engaging format for Millennial audiences, and is expected to play a key part in the 2016 presidential election process via our robust content offerings in Spanish and English. The Onion has been, and continues to be, a leading force of this phenomenon of intellectual, social, cultural and satirical commentary online. As we did with the acquisition of The Root in 2015, with Onion Inc. we are expanding our role as a go-to source for digitally-connected, diverse audiences. Including Onion Inc. as part of our portfolio is a great fit for and a significant step forward in our digital strategy as we continue to expand the ways we entertain and inform Millennial and multicultural audiences.”

“Onion Inc. has remained successful by putting editorial first,” said Mike McAvoy, president and chief executive officer at Onion Inc. “We’re excited to partner with Univision, a company that understands and appreciates that foundation, and that can provide additional resources, expertise, and opportunity for our talented staff.”