As part of its upfront presentation, Univision Communications is expected to preach about its ability to reach Hispanic consumers in the United States across a broad portfolio of 16 broadcast, cable and digital networks. Its upfront is set to take place Tuesday.
The company comes to market this year armed with new assets, including Fusion, the news and culture cable network it owns jointly with ABC News, and El Rey Network, the independent cabler launched by auteur Robert Rodriquez in which it owns a minority stake.
The company will tout its increasing ratings power, and its reach among U.S. consumers between 18 and 34, as well as the growth of its UniMas network, which is aimed at Hispanic millennials.
Its Univision Deportes network will have the exclusive Spanish-language rights for the first-ever, special edition Copa America Centenario, which will be played in the summer of 2016 and feature the best teams from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.
The company’s flagship property will launch four new telenovelas, each of which will have a presence in digital media as well as TV.
Popular on Variety
On Univision, these are the new series:
“La Gata” – This telenovela follows the story of Esmeralda, a young woman who lives in the poor neighborhood of La Barranca, a place where many, like her, live in abject poverty without the protection and love of a family. Esmeralda becomes friends with a young man from a good family and, with time, they fall in love — a love that has to remain hidden from the young man’s family. This telenovela features Maite Perroni and Daniel Arenas, and it’s produced by Nathalie Lartilleux. (Monday-Friday, primetime, Televisa) – June 2014
“La Malquerida” (The Bad Mistress) – This is the story of Acacia, a young girl whose father is killed in a terrible accident, and whose family estate is in debt. Esteban, a handsome and capable employee, asks her mother, Maria to accept his help in saving the estate. Esteban and Maria’s working relationship becomes one of mutual love. All seems well, except for one thing: Acacia cannot accept her mother’s new love, and as she develops into a beautiful young woman, Esteban discovers he carries a secret passion for her, as well. This love-triangle story features Victoria Ruffo, Ariadne Diaz, Cristian Meier, and it’s produced by Jose Alberto Castro. (Monday-Friday, primetime, Televisa)
“Hasta el Fin del Mundo” (Until the End of Time) – This is the intricate tale of Sofia, the oldest of three sisters, who takes the helm of her family’s chocolate factory after her father’s death. Engaged to a man who is ambitious and using her as a stepping stone, she feels an immediate and mutual attraction to Salvador, a race-car driver who, due to some unfortunate circumstances, is working as her chauffeur. Sofia and Salvador never tire of demonstrating that despite the hurdles, love is possible. The telenovela stars Marjorie De Sousa, international singing sensation Pedro Fernandez, Julian Gil and Claudia Alvarez, and it’s produced by Nicandro Diaz. (Monday-Friday, primetime, Televisa)
“Mi Corazón es Tuyo” (My Heart Is Yours) – Life’s journey hasn’t been easy for Ana, who works as an exotic dancer in a club and has just lost the home she struggled to own. She knows she has to start over. Through a clerical error at an employment agency, Ana finds herself applying for the job of “nanny” to a wealthy widower, Fernando, with seven difficult children. Somehow, without credentials or a cultured background, Ana manages to charm the children and help in the recovery process from the loss of their mother. Meanwhile, Fernando pursues a woman with a suitable pedigree, but it becomes increasingly obvious that he is smitten with Ana and she with him. Featuring Silvia Navarro, Jorge Salinas and Mayrín Villanueva, the series is produced by Juan Osorio. (Monday-Friday, primetime, Televisa)
New dramas on UniMas include the following:
“Señorita Pólvora” (Miss Gunpowder) –Valentina Cardenas is a beautiful and outgoing young woman, whose comfortable, sheltered life is turned upside down with her father’s death. Valentina must become a strong woman to confront her father’s true double life, and finds herself caught in the dilemma of loving two very different men: a righteous, sincere and handsome news reporter and the dangerous but sweet, intense head of a drug cartel. Whom will she choose? (Monday-Friday, primetime, Sony Pictures Television/Televisa)
“El Varón de la Droga”(The Drug Lord) – This dramatic series tells the real story of “the most powerful drug trafficker in the world,” “El Chapo” Guzmán, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. (Monday-Friday)
“De-Mente Criminal” (Demented Criminal) – This fictional thriller is inspired by the life of Edmundo Chirinos, the famous Venezuelan psychiatrist who abused his patients with mind games that lead to sexual abuse. When the protagonist’s dark side is discovered by a female patient, he kills her. The story then focuses on the victim’s mother and her quest to find evidence to expose her daughter’s killer. Starring Sebastian Ligarde, Maria Fernanda Yepez and Lorena Rojas. (Monday-Friday, Cisneros Media)
“La Fiesta del Chivo” (The Feast of the Goat)–Based on the novel by Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa and set in the 1950s, this is the real story of the Dominican Republic’s abusive dictator Rafael Trujillo. It was written by Kiko Olivieri and counts Patricio Wills as executive producer. (Monday-Friday, RTI)
“En la Boca del Lobo” (At the Devil’s Table) – In the dangerous world of drugs, only the strong survive and there is no way out except death. Ricardo Salgado refuses to be involved anymore. After losing his best friend and family, Ricardo has nothing else to lose. He’s willing to give up the Cali Cartel to the CIA, but when the operation goes south, Ricardo must fight to stay alive. (Monday – Friday, primetime, Sony Pictures Television)
