Its 2012-2013 programming lineup includes six new, original primetime novellas and more than 800 hours of original content, increasing the network’s original programming slate by nearly 40%. The network’s new programming also includes two daytime shows and a reality competition.
New original telenovelas include “El Rostro de la Venganza” (The Face of Revenge), “El Señor de los Cielos” (The Lord of the Heavens), “La Patrona” (The Patron), “Pasión Prohibida” (Forbidden Passion), “Nace un Idolo” (An Idol is Born) and “Fina Estampa” (Fine Pedigree); as well as daytime programs “Cuauhtemoc” and “Virgen Morena” (The Virgin of Guadalupe), and reality competition “Yo Me Llamo” (My Name is).
Telemundo also announced the launch of its new branding campaign for the fall and unveiled a new logo capturing the essence of the Hispanic experience in the U.S. Additionally, it expanded its family of mobile apps with the launch of the Telemundo Entertainment App, giving audiences access to Telemundo content.
“This season we are presenting our most ambitious original programming slate ever, a testament to our commitment to produce the most relevant Spanish-language content for the largest Hispanic audience possible,” said Emilio Romano, President, Telemundo Media. “Fueled by our record-breaking performance and the support of Comcast and NBCUniversal, together with a leading team of executives, our mission is to become the number one Hispanic media company in the U.S. and the leading producer of Spanish-language content in the world.”
Telemundo Media enters this year’s Upfront with an increase of four share points in the first half of the broadcast season, the only major Spanish-language network to grow share.
The network also recently delivered its highest-rated quarter ever in network history with total viewers, up 10% vs. Q1 2011. In addition, Telemundo’s cable youth channel, mun2, is the number one Hispanic cable network among Hispanics in the coveted 18-34 demo. In March, Telemundo.com was the #1 Spanish-language website for engagement, delivering six times more minutes per viewer and 15 million more total minutes than its competition.
Last year, Telemundo and mun2 recorded their best Upfront season ever, adding more than 50 new advertisers, delivering 20% growth in national ad revenue, more than any other Spanish-language broadcast network. An estimated $88MM of new business came to Spanish-language television with Telemundo commanding more than half (55%) of that new biz. And in Q1 2012, Telemundo added 12 new advertisers, with increases in the automotive and pharmaceutical categories.
New programs:
TELENOVELAS
“El Rostro de la Venganza” (The Face of Revenge)
After spending most of his life in jail paying for a crime he has no memory of committing, 30 year-old Diego Mercader Carrasco is released and adopts a different identity to begin a new life and protect himself from his past. With the help of his psychiatrist Antonia Villarroel and Ezequiel Alvarado, who becomes his benefactor and a father figure, Diego gets a second chance as he will now be known as Martin Mendez.
Antonia and Martin (Diego) become romantically involved, and she teaches him about life and love. As her love for Martin grows, Antonia digs deeper into Diego’s case, trying to find out what really happened 20 years earlier.
A Telemundo Studios production.
“El Señor de los Cielos” (The Lord of the Heavens)
Damian Torres is a man of humble beginnings who dreamed of having it all. Through relentless will and fearless determination, Damian transforms himself from a poor peasant into one of the world’s richest men and a powerful drug trafficker, wanted by the DEA. Damian embodies the entire spectrum of what the human soul is capable of, from the virtuous to the unthinkable, all fueled by his immeasurable desire for power and wealth. Damian’s life turns into a quest for survival when his numerous enemies start hunting him down and the DEA closes in. He realizes that his only way out is to start a new life as literally a new man, so he decides to undergo facial reconstruction. Damian will discover that on the dangerous path to riches he chose to take, there is no turning back.
A Telemundo Studios production.
“La Patrona” (The Patron)
Adriana Ordoñez’s life has led her to endure unexpected hardships, but because of her immeasurable strength, she will ultimately experience the greatest of transformations, both physically and emotionally, in a quest for redemption. After her parents died in an accident, Adriana is taken in by Mari Cruz Perez, the distinguished Beltran family’s chef. Mari becomes Adriana’s foster mother giving her the love and affection she craved. Adriana’s misfortune comes as a result of falling in love with Alejandro, the fiancé of one of the Beltran family’s daughters, which makes Adriana a target for many in the family. Her enemies conspire and have her locked up in an asylum, but a terrible fire destroys the facility. Adriana narrowly escapes with her life; however everyone believes she is dead. While she is recovering, Adriana learns that she inherited her father’s valuable lands.
A Telemundo Studios production.
“Pasión Prohibida” (Forbidden Passion)
Mariana is driven by hatred against Deborah, her mother, whom she blames for the death of her father. Mariana marries Juan Pablo, an older, wealthy widower, whom Deborah has set her eyes on, seeking his fortune. Despite Juan Pablo’s kindness and love towards her, in reality, Mariana does not genuinely love him. When Mariana discovers a hidden truth and realizes her vengeance is unfounded, she tries to find happiness alongside Juan Pablo. However, Mariana never imagined that she would find the passion and true love she was seeking in Bruno, her husband’s nephew.
A Telemundo Studios production.
“Nace un Idolo” (An Idol is Born)
The serialized biography is based on the real-life story of José Sosa Ortiz – better known as José José, “El Príncipe de la Canción” (The Prince of Song), a Mexican musical icon adored by millions around the world. His story embodies a man’s journey to reach the status of an idol – including fame and fortune – and the high price he had to pay to achieve his dreams.
A Telemundo Studios production.
“Fina Estampa” (Fine Pedigree)
After her husband apparently disappears at sea, Griselda is determined to do anything to provide for her family, even if it means taking on the job of a “handyman,” an unusual profession for a woman. Hard-working and humble, Griselda is proud of her job because it allows her to prove that someone can have a decent, happy life without compromising one’s values. One of her sons is getting engaged to the daughter of Teresa Cristina, a wealthy, elegant and superficial woman. Teresa Cristina is horrified at the prospect of being related to a woman from a lower class so she continuously humiliates Griselda, even though her husband, Rene, reproaches her for her actions.
After many years playing the same lottery numbers, Griselda wins $25 million dollars, and her life suddenly changes, but not her nature. Her fortune doesn’t just bring Griselda a better life; it also “resurrects” her husband who had supposedly been dead for years, leading to a series of unexpected complications for Griselda and her family. Despite having more money than she ever imagined, Griselda learns that life is never easy; but for someone with integrity, anything is possible — even finding true love.
“Fina Estampa” is a Telemundo Studios and TV Globo co-production.
“La Reina del Sur 2” (Queen of the South 2)
Telemundo also announced today it has acquired the rights to the sequel of “La Reina del Sur,” the blockbuster hit that captivated viewers night after night, making it the highest-rated novela in the company’s history. Production and air dates to be announced.
DAYTIME
“Cuauhtemoc”
The daytime talk show stars Carlos Cuauhtémoc Sánchez, a bestselling author and international motivational speaker, as the host of this program where couples and families will overcome their personal issues and struggles.
“Virgen Morena” (The Virgin of Guadalupe)
“Virgen Morena” is a dramatic series featuring self-contained episodes that highlight moving stories inspired by true events where people facing a life struggle look to Our Lady of Guadalupe (affectionately known in Mexico as “La Virgen Morena”) for a miraculous resolution to their problem. The series marks the first time in the industry a daytime novela is produced exclusively for U.S. Hispanics.
REALITY COMPETITION
“Yo Me Llamo” (My Name is)
An international hit, it’s a talent competition where the country’s most talented amateur singers/performers compete to win a grand prize by transforming themselves into their favorite musical icon.
