Changes are coming to Central Florida’s Spanish-language media landscape as Univision takes over operations of two TV stations – WVEN-TV and WOTF-TV – and named executive Eddy Elguezabal the president and general manager over its Orlando and Tampa operations.
Univision will also take over operations of a station in Washington, D.C.
It had been rumored for months that as the contract between Entravision and Univision was nearing an end, Univision Communications Inc., one of the leading Spanish-language content and media companies in the U.S., would take over operations in Orlando.
Last week, social media posts pointed to the fact that several layoffs were taking place at the local station, including now former news director Ángel Sepúlveda. While Univision has not yet confirmed who will take Sepúlveda’s position, they told El Sentinel Orlando an announcement is in the works.
The takeover in the City Beautiful and the Tampa station represent an expansion of Univision’s local media division. This move doesn’t come as a surprise as it responds to the growing interest of Univision to cover the ongoing Latino and Hispanic community in Central Florida.
The stations are currently operated by Entravision Communications, whose licensing agreement with Univision concludes on Dec. 31, 2021.
“Starting January 1, 2022, Univision will assume operations of the affiliate stations. The move marks Univision’s continued transformation to become the largest Spanish-language media company in the world,” Univision confirmed in a written statement.
For this transition, Univision has tapped longtime local media executive Elguezabal for the leadership role of both Univision Orlando and Univision Tampa.
“An industry veteran, Elguezabal has over 30 years of experience in the broadcast media industry. He most recently led all operations at Univision’s Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Raleigh stations,” the media company stated.
Elguezabal has won multiple Emmys throughout his career and was recently inducted into the Silver Circle at the Southeast EMMYs, which recognizes outstanding individuals who have devoted a quarter of a century or more to the television industry and have made a significant contribution to television broadcasting.
“Our local stations are the ties that bind us to our community, and they continue to be an integral part of our business as we transform to meet the evolving needs of our audience. Our goal is to serve Spanish-language audiences in these three pivotal cities with information that matters, is useful to their lives, and is tailored to their preferred platforms,” said Diane Kniowski, Univision’s chief local media officer.
“We’re thrilled to have Eddy at the helm of the Florida stations. His experience in growing our stations in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Raleigh, which has led to great success, will be a tremendous asset to the team,” she said. “We also thank Entravision for their longstanding partnership and we look forward to continuing to work with them to bring Univision content to other cities across the country.”
Information about what news, content, and programming will be part of the transition are yet to be revealed, but the company’s announcement mentions that “details for each station, including the appointment of the president and general manager for Washington D.C., will be made in the coming months.”
In the meantime, Elguezabal said he is “thrilled to return home to the Sunshine State to shepherd the Orlando and Tampa stations into the future by delivering best-in-class content across all our platforms and partnering with local leaders to continue to serve our Latino community.”
He said that he is “confident that we will build on Univision’s trusted reputation of informing and empowering our audience with the vital information they need to make decisions for their families.”
The news about the changes seemed to come as a surprise to the former news director who took to social media to voice his discontent as he said they were “promised there would not be any firing and the first one was me.”
Sepúlveda shared his post saying that would be the “only statement” he would make. “I am no longer the Regional News Director for Entravision /Univision . They decided to go a different route and I wasn’t a good fit. Still 2 amazing companies and I left the best staff any news director would want!!! Please!!! Support that team!! Amazing people are still working there. As of me a big announcement is on the works but for now I am gonna enjoy my family and things couldn’t do because I was always 14-16 hour days at the office.”
He also praised the work done by his team during the pandemic, including when Orlando became the hub for NBA games, and the station was the only one who could cover the players in the set-up bubble.
As of now it remains unclear which reporters and other staff members will remain employed once Univison takes over.
