Univision gave advertisers a glimpse of new programming, including its plans to adapt English-language popular series “Breaking Bad” and “Gossip Girl” for its UniMas network. “Metastasis,” is an adaptation of the hit AMC drama about a high school teacher who becomes a meth dealer, and “Gossip Girl Acapulco,” looks at the lives of Acapulco’s elite based on the CW series. "Gossip Girl Acapulco" is scheduled to air concurrently in Mexico and the United States.
The highlight of the presentation, held at the New Amsterdam Theater, was the announcement that Univision would team up with the El Rey Network cable channel, created by the filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures, a media development and consulting firm.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Univision on this groundbreaking initiative to deliver high-quality original programming to our community and the wider, mainstream audiences,” said Rodriguez.
UNIVISION 2013/2014 PROGRAMMING LINEUP
Telenovelas
With nail biting story lines and featuring the most beloved stars and acclaimed directors and producers within in the Hispanic community, Univision telenovelas guarantee to enthrall audiences once again.
“La Tempestad” (The Storm)– This riveting telenovela follows the story of Marina, whose revelations of her vengeful former boss’ indiscretions force her to find work in a small fishing village. There she meets Damián, the owner of the fishing boat La Tempestad and they fall in love. But dark clouds quickly gather as jealous and ambitious rivals emerge bent on destroying any hopes they may have had for happiness. Will Damián and Marina be able to weather the storm and find calm waters once again? This telenovela features today’s hottest heartthrob and cross-over sensation William Levy and former Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete, and is produced by Salvador Mejia (“Triunfo del Amor” and “Que Bonito Amor”). (Monday – Friday, Primetime – Televisa)
“Mentir para Vivir” (Lie So You Can Live)– A single moment in time can change everything forever. That is the premise of this intricate tale which takes off when Oriana finds out her husband in engaged in illegal activities. When an unexpected murder takes place, Oriana flees to a small Mexican resort hotel and takes on a false identity in order to protect her daughter. Through her journey to untangle the lies and plots that have tied her life into knots, she discovers what she’s really made of. Produced by Rosy Ocampo (“Por Ella Soy Eva” and “La Fuerza del Destino“) and written by Maria Zarattini author of “Amor Real” and “Sortilegio,” this telenovela stars Mayrín Villanueva, David Zepeda, Diego Olivera and Altair Jarabo. (Monday- Friday, Primetime – Televisa)
“Libre Para Amarte” (Free to Love)– Life’s journey hasn’t been an easy one for Aurora. Not only is she solely responsible for the caring of her niece, but she is also the financial backbone of her entire family, including her boyfriend. She takes over Los Cocodrilos (The Crocodiles), a famous taxi stand in Mexico City, after her father is forced to retire. Her life, however, spins out of control when the man of her dreams gets into her taxi cab one day. But timing is everything in life, and theirs isn’t ideal. As their plot thickens, four additional story lines featuring the hysterical lives of the taxi drivers Aurora works with unfold, and viewers are treated to cameo appearances by some of Latin America’s biggest celebrities playing passengers in the taxis. The telenovela stars Gloria Trevi, known as the “Supreme Diva of Mexican Pop,” making her telenovela debut, as well as Gabriel Soto (“Un Refugio Para el Amor”) and Eduardo Santamarina (“Velo de Novia” and “Rubi”). (Monday – Friday, Primetime – Televisa)
La Mujer del Vendaval” (The Woman from Vendaval)– This is the story of Marcela, a young woman who is about to receive a large inheritance on the condition that she marry. She meets a worthy suitor named Alessandro, a wealthy heir in his own right. A valuable piece of jewelry goes missing and triggers this who-done-it telenovela. Featuring Ariadne Díaz (“Mañana es Para Siempre”) and José Ron “La Que No Podía Amar”), produced by Mapat L. de Zatarain. (Monday – Friday, Primetime – Televisa)
Comedies
“Durmiendo con mi Jefe” (Sleeping with my Boss)– A modern Mexican twist on the classic sitcom
“The Odd Couple.” When Gael, a womanizing boss, gets a divorce, his perpetually late but loyal employee Carlos, takes him into his home. The one catch, he still lives with his “mami” and sister. “Durmiendo con mi Jefe” features veteran comedian and producer Jorge Ortiz de Pinedo and “Hoy” co- host Raul Araiza. (Primetime – Televisa)
“Todo Incluido” (All-Inclusive)– While exploiting the comedic situations bound to take place in a busy boutique hotel in Mexico, this sitcom showcases the incredibly popular alter egos of comedian Adrian Uribe. The funnyman’s well-known and beloved characters play several of the hospitality staff members and guests. The sitcom also features other popular Mexican comedians, sports figures, actors, and singers who make cameos each week. (Primetime – Televisa)
“Casate Conmigo” (Marry Me)– This comedy series features Valeria Mejia, a woman who flees the altar for the third time. With the help of her three friends, Valeria ponders the question many in her generation ask: ‘Why marry?’ “Casate Conmigo” features a stellar cast that includes Galilea Montijo, Arath de la Torre, Paul Stanley and Jorge Poza, among others. (Primetime – Televisa)
Reality Shows
“Va Por Ti”– In search of the next music superstar, twelve of the biggest names in Latin music will
join amateur singers as they compete to help them win the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to make it on Hispanic America’s biggest platform: Univision Communications. The Latin superstars will give it all to have their partners become the newest Latin music star and secure a multiplatform deal with Univision and millions of dollars in prizes. Co-produced by Televisa and Univision, this new reality franchise will leverage digital and social platforms to further drive engagement and will provide multiplatform content opportunities. (Sunday, Primetime – Univision and Televisa)
“¡Mira Quién Baila! 4” (Look Who’s Dancing! 4) – The hit reality dance competition returns bigger than ever in its fourth season. This competition pairs a group of Hispanic celebrities with dancers showcasing their moves to a variety of rhythms. Every week, contestants rotate partners and compete in front of a live studio audience, while an expert panel of judges selects the top dancers. (Sunday, Primetime – Univision Studios and Endemol)
“Nuestra Belleza Latina 8” (Our Latin Beauty)– One of the highest rated reality shows on Spanish- language television returns more beautiful than ever in its eighth season. “Nuestra Belleza Latina” features the perfect mixture of reality drama, talent contest and beauty pageant all rolled into one, with the ultimate pay off – viewers vote to decide who stays and who goes. Hosted by Giselle Blondet, viewers enjoy every intimate detail of this exciting reality competition, starting with episodes featuring the cross-country auditions for the next Latin beauty and the grueling process contestants are put through to be selected as the finalists. Renowned beauty coach Osmel Sousa, Mexico’s former Miss Universe Lupita Jones and telenovela heartthrob Julian Gil return as the panel of judges who, along with viewer participation, determine the winner. (Sunday, Primetime – Univision Studios)
“Parodiando 3” (Parody 3)– A sidesplitting comedy show featuring contestants competing as the top celebrity impersonator, “Parodiando” returns with non-stop laughs and a cast of superstar mentors offering advice and guiding contestants through various challenges. Héctor Sandarti hosts and presents the program’s contestants as they deliver hilarious skits and amusing performances, imitating entertainment’s all-time favorite celebrities. With two teams of imitators battling it out, the one left standing will get the last laugh. (Sunday, Primetime – Televisa)
UNIMÁS NETWORK
Developed especially for Hispanic millennials, UniMás brings a surprising and fresh perspective to Spanish-language television. With content geared to a younger bicultural audience, it complements the programming found on the Univision Network.
Dramatic Series
“Metastasis”– Based on the critically acclaimed American series “Breaking Bad,” “Metastasis” is the
story of a struggling high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling meth with a former student with the goal of securing his family’s financial future before he passes away. (Primetime – Sony)
“La Selección” (The Team)– With the upcoming 20th anniversary of Colombia’s legendary 1994 World Cup team and their 5-0 victory over rival Argentina – one of the most inspiring stories in all of soccer history – UniMás presents the Caracol production of “La Selección.” Told for the very first time, it is based on the true stories of the four principle stars of the team, El Pibe Valderrama, Freddy Rincón, René Higuita and Faustino Asprilla. The series follows their rise from the humble dirt soccer fields of their childhood, to the grandeur of international stardom and national pride – all set against the turbulent backdrop of Colombia’s civil and drug wars of the time. Their stories demonstrate the capacity of dedicated human beings to overcome adversities and obstacles to realize their most cherished dreams – both on and off the soccer field. (Primetime – Caracol)
“La Viuda Negra” (The Back Widow)– Ripped straight from the headlines, “La Viuda Negra” is based on the true story of Griselda Blanco, “the Cocaine Godmother,” who virtually ruled the Miami drug trade in the 1970s and early 1980s. Born an illegitimate child in a bordello in Colombia, she grew up on the backstreets and learned how to use her charms and wits to start a life of crime that eventually took her to Miami. There she became the undisputed queen of the illegal drug trade with Colombia. Married four times, she killed each of her unfortunate husbands, thus earning the name “The Black Widow.” “La
Viuda Negra” is a fascinating look into the dark world of a woman whose story is sure to capture viewers in her web of lies and deceit. (Primetime – RTI)
“Gossip Girl Acapulco”– Based on the successful American series, “Gossip Girl Acapulco” is a faithful look into the privileged and often turbulent lives of an elite group of beautiful young people, but this time in the hot tropical world of the famous Mexican resort town. In an added twist, it will mark the very first time that a dramatic series airs simultaneously in the U.S. by Univision and in Mexico by Televisa, which means unprecedented digital and integrated marketing opportunities, especially for a series in which social media plays such an important role. (Primetime – El Mall)
“La Madame”– This tantalizing new series is based on a book… a little black book, to be exact. One owned by “La Madame,” who runs a network of beautiful women and established models who offer their services to prominent men. This is a book full of some very interesting stories that will finally be told each night by… “La Madame.” Starring former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. (Primetime – RTI)
“Cloroformo”– This is a gritty, no-holds-barred story of five boxers who train at a gym in Mexico City, their manager, and a promoter who has seen the former glory of the sport deteriorate to its present, unseemly state. It’s a place that serves as a focal point to look into each of their lives, dreams, fears, victories, and defeats, both in and out of the ring. It’s an unvarnished look into their passionate, addictive world in which there’s much more at stake than just winning a fight. A place where social standing is irrelevant and, at the end of the day, every punch hurts everyone just the same. Starring Osvaldo Benevides, Tenoch Huerta, Gustavo Sánchez Parra, Alex Perea and Zuria Vega, “Cloroformo” also features special guest appearances by Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Julio César Chávez. (Primetime – Televisa)
“Diablo Guardián” (Guardian Devil)– This is a story of innocence lost, dangerous addictions and dreams that become nightmares. The series features a 15-year-old girl, who is always at odds with her parents and wants no part of their plans for her in Mexico. She steals more than $100,000 and crosses the Mexican border into the U.S. She settles in New York City to fulfill her dream of living ‘the good life’ in the Big Apple. But money has a way of running out and she finds out the hard way that survival for a young, unskilled, immigrant girl comes at a price. “Diablo Guardián” is based on the best-selling novel and adapted by Gustavo Bolivar, writer of “El Capo” and “Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso.” (Primetime – RTI)
“Los Héroes del Norte 3” (Heroes of the North 3)– This comedic adventure returns narrating the fun of five characters who meet under the worst of circumstances and form a band in their search for stardom within the world of norteño music. Despite adversity Zacarías, interpreted by renowned Mexican actor Miguel Rodarte, and his pals El Faquir, Don Apolinar, El Botarga and El Menonita, find the key to success within the challenging world of grupero Mexican regional music, showing their fans, and the world, that even the most common of men can become heroes. (Primetime – Televisa)
PICTURES FROM THE UNIVISION UPFRONTS
Zimbio, Variety