From Miami to Manhattan, Telemundo’s Upfront Events Hit the Mark

During its formal presentation in Miami, the network announced a slate of returning hit series, new series centered on its strongest genres, expanded news coverage and a massive focus on summer sporting events.  “Hispanics are no longer just a demographic story,” declared Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.  “They are trendsetters driving social, cultural, digital and, most importantly, economic impact.”  He then reminded us that five of the past seven Oscar-winning directors are Mexican and that there are more Latinos in Congress than ever before, further illustrating the impact that Hispanics and Latinx are making across all sections of society.

“Our content is made by U.S. Hispanics for U.S. Hispanics, regardless of language or country of origin” said Ronald Day, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, Telemundo Networks.

Among the network’s programming highlights:  Popular Super Series Enemigo Intimo returns for a sophomore season, picking up two years after the events of last season.  Super Series El Señor De Los Cielos, now in its seventh season, has become the most successful franchise in the history of Hispanic media.  A new Super Series this season is Operación Pacifico, an emotional drama inspired by real events that follows a federal agent whose mission is to capture one of the last drug lords in Mexico.  The series stars Majida Issa and Mark Tacher.

New Limited Series include No Te Puedes Esconder (You Cannot Hide), a ten-chapter thriller that asks the question, “What happens when the one you were sent to kill is the one that saves your life?”  The series is led by an internationally renowned cast including Señora Aceroherself Blanca Soto as well as Kuno Becker, Eduardo Noriega, Maribel Verdú and Ivan Sanchez and was filmed across Mexico and Spain.  The action-packed trailer, which was shown at the NBCUniversal Upfront presentation last Monday at Radio City Music Hall as well as Telemundo’s Upfront celebration at the Hammerstein Ballroom later that evening, was well received at both events.

The Telemundo component of the NBCUniversal Upfront included a fantastic performance by superstar Luis Fonsi, also a coach on La Voz, who performed a medley of hits from Latin artists from around the world including Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz and Ricky Martin.  Afterward, telenovela superstar Kate Del Castillo took to the stage to introduce the trailer for No te Puedes Esconder and gave recognition to her current hit series La Reina Del Sur.  Its highly anticipated second season recently debuted at No. 1 in the Sunday 10 p.m. slot, beating out every other American network, a clear sign that Hispanics are on the rise.

Returning series this year include La Donaand Falsa Identidad, each approaching their second seasons, as well as El Final Del Paraiso, a spinoff of megahit series Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso.

Exalton: Estados Unidos, a favorite in my own household, will return for its third season after “shattering records around the world,” according to Day.  The sports reality competition features two teams of ten competitors, pitting professional athletes against rising sports stars in a series of physical challenges with weekly eliminations.

Also returning is La Voz, the Spanish-language version of The Voice.  A new Spanish-language version of NBC’s The Wall,a part luck-part skill game show hosted by Marco Antonio Regil, is in the works.

Daytime programming includes talk show Un Nuevo Dia, entertainment news and celebrity gossip show Suelta La Sopa and long-time news show Al Rojo Vivowith the iconic María Celeste at the center.  “We want to give our daytime audience more of what they want,” said Day.  “High quality, relatable and family friendly news and entertaining content.”

Continuing their partnership with E!, Telemundo also announced that LatinX Now! will be moving from weekly episodes to daily, bringing bilingual Millennial and Gen Z audiences the latest news in entertainment, pop culture, red carpet and live event coverage.

With a major focus on sports programming, Telemundo Deportes will have two of the biggest sports events in its “Summer of Soccer” -- the Copa America and the Women’s World Cup, the latter starting June 7, as well as the Summer Olympics from Tokyo, Japan in 2020.

The Telemundo component of the NBCUniversal Upfront included a fantastic performance by superstar Luis Fonsi, also a coach on La Voz, who performed a medley of hits from Latin artists from around the world including Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz and Ricky Martin.  Afterward, telenovela superstar Kate Del Castillo took to the stage to introduce the trailer for No te Puedes Esconder and gave recognition to her current hit series La Reina Del Sur.  Its highly anticipated second season recently debuted at No. 1 among adults 18-49, beating out every other American network, a clear sign that Hispanics are on the rise.  La Reina del Sur is telecast Monday-Friday at 10 p.m.

The Telemundo Upfront celebration that night in the Hammerstein Ballroom included a fantastic performance by Pitbull, who not only entertained attendees but gave moving and inspirational speeches between his many hits.  “Everyone’s been slipping on what our culture has to offer, and they’re still slipping,” he told the audience.  “But now, it’s our time. Welcome to the future.”  The crowd roared.

He also went on to thank the many companies that took risks on him and other Latin artists, helping them move from small-market brands to general brands, including Bud Light, Dr. Pepper and Kodak.

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