Upfronts 2009: Univision To Present World Cup In HD
World's Biggest Sporting Event, New Novellas On Tap For Spanish-Language Media Giant
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/24/2009 7:33:00 AM
Complete Upfronts 2009 coverage from Multichannel News
Spanish-language media giant Univision Communications Inc. will bekicking it hard with the 2010 FIFA World Cup from South Africa.
Univision, broadcast brethren TeleFutura and cable cousin Galavision will all feature matches from the world's biggest sporting event and related fare as part of their lineups for the 2009-10 TV season. It also making the product available on demand.
"At the heart of Univision's success is a proven formula of top-notch programming that no other network can match. Year after year, Univision broadcasts many of the most watched programs, which on many nights outdeliver its English-language network competitors," said Ray Rodriguez, president and COO, Univision Communications, in a statement. "We are very excited about our 2009-2010 lineups, including once again being the exclusive Spanish-language home of the World Cup, which reached 50 million viewers in 2006 and is sure to be an even greater success in 2010 in high-definition across our networks."
The World Cup is part of roster of novellas and reality shows the Spanish-language leader has been pitching to advertisers during its upfront presentations this spring. The messages also point to Univision's 11% growth in total viewers during the 2008-09 season and gains with adults 18 to 49, while ABC, NBC, CW and Fox all showed slippage with both measures.
Moreover during the May sweep, Univision continued to own Friday nights, ranking first among all networks among adults 18 to 34, according to officials.
"With our three distinctively branded networks - Univision, TeleFutura, and Galavisión - we are in a uniquely powerful position to deliver what our consumers want, 24-hours per day, across all media platforms," said Rodriguez.
In June and July 2010, the Univision services will have exclusive Spanish-language rights in the U.S. to the FIFA World Cup from South Africa. Univision will present 56 matches live, with TeleFutura presenting the remaining eight contests. Both TeleFutura and Galavisión will encore 52 games. With entertainment and news programming also producing special World Cup editions, there will be over 400 hours of coverage.
Among that total are Galavision's Ventana a la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2010 (Window to the World Cup), a look at qualifying matches and other preparations before the big event; and Pasaje Al Mundia (Ticket to the World Cup), one-minute capsules providing exclusive stories and insights into the event from fans' perspectives.
As to Univision's bread and butter novellas, the network will be serving up a number of new entries weekdays, including: Atrevete a Soñar (Dare to Dream), a modern-day ugly duckling story; Un Gancho al Corazon (A Blow to the Heart), a comedy of errors involving an ex-stock car driver and a beautiful female boxer; En Nombre del Amor (In the Name of Love), where two sisters fall in love with the same man and pay dearly; and Verano de Amor (Summer of Love), a summer frolic with young friends in a seaside town.
To its reality roster, Univision will add Viva El Sueño (Live the Dream), a 13-week competition series,, showcasing struggling, professional Hispanic performers who need one break to make it big; and Hazme Reir y Serás Millionario (Make Me Laugh And Become A Millionaire), where teams comprising a contestant, comedian and a celebrity aspire to make the audience and judges laugh, with the winner taking home a pot of cash and a trip to the 2010 World Cup.
On the cable side, Galavision is adding new chapters to Vida Salvaje (Wildlife) weeknights, including installments looking at killer whales (Ballenas Asesinas) and smart sharks (Tiburones Inteligentes).
On Sundays, there are new entrants on tap for Expedicion Global (Global Expedition), with treks to Antarctica, La Vida en El Congelador (Life in The Freezer) and En Busca de Leones (In Pursuit of Lions) in store.
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