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HISPANIC TV UPFRONT REPORT-2017 EDITION HispanicAd.com/HispanicMarketOverview.com
Another ‘Shift’ Forward For Telemundo
A sequel to the “Super Series” that started it all, along with star-studded mini- series and a non-scripted offering, are set to further distinguish NBCUniversal’s Hispanic broadcast TV network from its competitors. At the same time, pay-TV viewers continue to embrace Universo.
By Adam R Jacobson
Six years ago, Telemundo, the Comcast-owned broadcast TV network serving Hispanic audiences, had a blockbuster on its hands. The telenovela La Reina del Sur, starring popular actress Kate del Castillo, was such a hit that it became a game-changer, launching the so-called “Super Series.” The act ushered in a new formula for a segment of broadcast television that relied on a beginning-and- end formula to its telenovela offerings.
As Telemundo readies for the 2017-2018 broadcast season, it’s turning back the clock as it seeks to finally propel ahead of the competitor Telemundo Network and Universo channel President Luis Silberwasser playfully calls “You Know Who”—Univision.
In an exclusive interview for the Hispanic TV Upfront Report, Silberwasser reveals that a sequel to La Reina del Sur is in the wings. To say it’s highly anticipated would be an understatement.
“This is big news,” he says. “The ‘Super Series’ is the centerpiece of our 10pm strategy and we’ve been winning at 10pm for the last three years.” La Reina del Sur is a chief reason why Telemundo finds itself in the position it’s in for this time slot.
“It’s the most successful series to ever air on Telemundo,” Silberwasser notes.
Meanwhile, the telenovela fan will be looking forward to new seasons of two other “Super Series”—Señor Acero and Señor de los Cielos. There’s also a new season of Sin Senos Si Hay Paraíso, the follow-up to the wildly popular Sin Senos No Hay Paraíso.
That’s not to say yet-to-debut entries aren’t set to attract the large audiences Telemundo desires.
“We have a big array of new programming that we are putting on the table,” Silberwasser says. “We are staying true to the strategy seen over the last few years, which has transformed Telemundo. We are going to continue to innovate – with new genres and new series – and a move away from telenovelas.”