Univision launches Flama

Univision Communications, Inc. (UCI) announced the official launch of Flama, available at TheFlama.com.  Flama is UCI’s first fully dedicated over-the-top network providing premium English-language video programming for 15 – 30 year olds who are inspired and entertained by the Latin culture that is influencing today’s younger generation.  A slate of five new original series premiering this week include a docu-series featuring 17-year-old hip-hop artist Becky G, a soccer-themed mockumentary show, a weekly show starring music expert and professional hype man D-stroy, a review series with Flama’s unpredictable and unapologetic resident grandmother aka Abuelita, and a short-clip series starring comedian and character extraordinaire Johnny Sanchez.
 
TheFlama.com features established and emerging stars across comedy, music, sports and lifestyle verticals. In support of the exploding Latino creative community, Flama is a network for discovering and sharing original and curated video. It is dedicated to providing access to talent and stories made by, for and with Hispanic millennials.
 
“Flama is working with talent and storytellers that connect with young Hispanics through a shared experience, a point of view, and sometimes simply a passion for llamas,” said Steven Benanav, general manager of Flama. “We’ve created a network for our audience to discover and share great programming that includes original series and the best curated material from the Internet.”
 
In addition to working with talent that is directly related to Flama’s target audience, the network engaged leading Latino stand-up comedian Al Madrigal (“The Daily Show”, “About A Boy”) as an early adviser.
 
“While other companies have set out to attract young Latinos and treat them like a homogenous group, from Flama’s inception, the network has been staffed by Latinos of all backgrounds who are making quality content for what is actually a diverse group,” said Al Madrigal.  “This more legit approach is what sets Flama apart and will lead to its success.”
 
Flama also announced the addition of Alexis Tirado, managing editor for TheFlama.com, who was previously at MTV Networks, and Yamin Segal, director of programming & production for Flama, creator of indie web series East Willy B.
 
“There was no question in my mind to work with Flama, I would feel FOMO if I didn’t,” said Alexis Tirado, managing editor for TheFlama.com.  “For young Hispanics, there’s no one place online for entertainment that is created for us and by us, so to take my experience and apply it to a pioneering new site is a crazy dream come true.  Plus, my parents actually approve of this job, even if they don’t get the programming.”
 
TheFlama.com launches with partner Trojan Brand Condoms, which has sponsored an exclusive series set to premiere in Summer 2014.
 
Original Programming
With original and curated comedy, music, lifestyle and sports programming, new series premiering this week include “Super Accurate Soccer History,” “Left Unattended with D-stroy,” “Drop the Mic with Becky G,” “Abuelita’s Review,” and “The Johnny Sanchez Show.”
 
“Super Accurate Soccer History”
As a precursor to World Cup 2014 Brazil, this mockumentary style show features made up soccer stories that are so ridiculous, they have to be true.  In the six-episode series, comedians and well-know soccer players narrate the incredible soccer stories of famous events and legends never heard about previously.
 
“Left Unattended with D-stroy”
A weekly, high-energy series, featuring D-stroy Melendez, viewers will be invited into D-stroy’s inimitable brand of comedy on trending topics. Complete with humorous interludes and interviews with music’s biggest influencers, including rapper Ice-T, DJ Premier and producer Just Blaze, D-stroy covers top events, bloopers and recommendations on some of the best and most random topics facing today’s society.
 
“Drop the Mic with Becky G”
Follow 17-year-old hip-hop artist Becky G through the ups and downs of making it in the music industry and rising to stardom, while staying grounded through her family and friends. Cut to the rhythm of a music video, each episode of this six part docu-series is a moment of Becky G’s musical time capsule on her journey to success. Using Becky G’s narration, the series gives her more than 3.2M fans a peek into her personal diary.
 
“Abuelita’s Review”
Flama’s resident 83-year-old grandmother, Abuelita, shares her wisdom with viewers in a six part series where she reviews today’s top products, from electronics to food. With an unapologetic opinion, Abuela shares historical anecdotes of the years when things were ‘better.’ The series stars Altagracia Guzman (“Raising Victor Vargas” and “I Heart Huckabees.”)
 
“The Johnny Sanchez Show”
Get into the mind of comedian and character extraordinaire Johnny Sanchez (“MADtv” “Happy Feet”) as he shares his humor and spot-on impressions in a fun, off-the-wall, short-clip series.
  
Flama programming will preside at TheFlama.com and through major video distribution partners, as well as on social channels, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, to reach audiences worldwide.
 

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