Telemundo Anchor Collins To Exit
Laura Martínez -- Multichannel News, 2/5/2008 1:19:00 AM
Spanish-language TV veteran María Antonieta Collins is bidding adieu to Telemundo, the network she joined in September 2005 after almost two decades working as news anchor for rival network Univision. Collins, who was hired as the sole host of three-hour daily variety morning show Cada Día con Maria Antonieta, opted not to renew her contract with Telemundo, which expires in August.
The news of the journalist’s departure was first reported by People en Español magazine as an “exclusive feature.” So exclusive, that it might have even taken Telemundo by surprise.
A publicist for Collins confirmed the news to Multichannel News. “She will not be renewing her contract [with Telemundo]. She’s going back to do what she loves the most: the news,” the publicist said. Asked if Collins is considering going back to Univision, she added, “It’s too early to tell.”
While declining to comment on specifics of Collins’ or any other talent’s contractual relationship, Telemundo issued the following statement: “Given certain media reports, Telemundo would like to confirm that Maria Antonieta Collins continues to be part of the Telemundo Cada Dia team as always.” Furthermore, the network added, “[Collins] is totally on board and working hard to make Cada Dia the preferred morning show among U.S. Hispanics.”
Collins, 55, began her career in 1974 in her native Mexico as news anchor for Televisa, after which she moved to the U.S. to join Univision, where she anchored the network’s weekend newscasts but was frequently called upon to cover major news stories.
She was brought to Telemundo with great fanfare. Cada día, which premiered Oct. 10, 2005, is similar in structure to NBC’s Today Show, featuring news segments, weather, lifestyle and product placement. It competes against long-running Despierta América on Univision.
