Univision Launches New Production Unit

Univision Communications Inc. today debuted Univision Story House, a new content development and production venture that will produce original content for UCI’s portfolio of owned networks as well as third party networks and platforms.

The company said that by leveraging UCI’s knowledge of Hispanic and young, diverse audiences, “Story House is uniquely positioned to create innovative stories and formats that appeal to the new, rising American mainstream in both English and Spanish.”

Story House will be a part of the recently announced Fusion Media Group.

Story House will operate out of Los Angeles, giving UCI an expanded development and production footprint, and be overseen by Camila Jimenez Villa, who will be president and chief content officer of the Fusion Media Group, and led creatively by Juan Rendón.

Christian Gabela will assume the role of VP-GM and will help lead strategy and partnerships as well as manage the daily operations of the team.

Rendón and Silvana Aguirre will serve as the venture’s creative directors. Rendón previously led Univision and Fusion’s documentary division where he produced, directed, and executive produced more than 15 documentaries since 2012. Most recently Aguirre was creative director for UniMás and brings with her more than 15 years of television experience. The team will report to Isaac Lee, UCI’s chief news and digital officer.   

UCI said Story House “will build on Univision’s exceptional storytelling abilities to bring to life narratives and characters that are revealing, authentic and reflect the diversity of the changing face of America.”

Story House will also use the news archives and journalists of Univision News to source and develop long-form fiction and nonfiction content.

“There is a wealth of untold stories about Latin America and the cross-cultural experience in the United States,” said Rendón. “The diversity of backgrounds and experiences that our experienced team embodies gives us the ability to tell those stories in the most authentic way.”

Story House has signed a production deal with HBO for two projects examining an array of diverse cultures and perspectives:

• Outpost is a 10-part series that “lives at the intersection of experiential journalism and adventure travel,” according to UCI.

• From white separatists to anti-immigrant activists, Hate in America will see Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos investigating why hatred seems to be growing in this country and who is feeding it.