Upfront Day 3: TeleFutura 2002 – 2003.

Univision Communications Inc. unveiled TeleFutura Network’s 24-hour schedule of new programming choices and alternative viewing options for the 2002-2003 season during its first Upfront programming presentation before an audience of more than 1,000 advertisers at Lincoln Center in New York. Since its launch on January 14, 2002, TeleFutura has already achieved nearly a 10 share of the Hispanic viewing audience with the majority of its audience coming from the English-language networks.

TeleFutura’s 2002-2003 lineup includes more than 500 new Spanish-language and Hollywood blockbuster movies as well as “¿Qué Dice la Gente?,” an exciting adaptation of one of the most popular game shows of all time, “Family Feud,” and the innovative and emotionally-charged modern talk show “Corazones Rotos,” which draws successful elements from past hit dating and court room drama shows.

“We are very excited to unveil TeleFutura’s first full season of programming,” said Ray Rodriguez, President and Chief Operating Officer, Univision Television Networks. “Since its debut, TeleFutura created an immediate impact in Spanish-language entertainment, and has already achieved its goal of drawing new viewers to Spanish-language television at the expense of English-language networks. TeleFutura’s new lineup is highly complementary to our other leading television properties – Univision and Galavisión – and will continue to offer viewers unique and broadly appealing programs they cannot find anywhere else.”

“TeleFutura’s immediate ability to draw new viewers to Spanish-language television — in only four months on the air — reaffirms the faith that advertisers placed in our new network,” said Tom McGarrity, Co-President of Network Sales. “The fact that TeleFutura is already at a nine share before World Cup programming hits our network shows that Hispanics overwhelmingly prefer another choice in Spanish. This remarkable initial market share coupled with the increase we expect in our distribution further enhances TeleFutura’s promising market position.”

2002-2003 Season Highlights
“By pledging to provide real viewing alternatives for the nation’s 35 million Hispanics, the 2002-2003 TeleFutura lineup presents a unique opportunity to captivate new viewers who previously lacked a choice,” said Mario Rodriguez, President of Entertainment, Univision Television Networks. “During the 2002-2003 season, we will continue to offer Hispanics even more viewing choices, with the largest selection of Spanish-language movies ever assembled for U.S. Spanish-language television. In addition, TeleFutura will feature a new game show “¿Qué Dice la Gente?,” the poignant talk show “Corazones Rotos,” as well as our highly successful returning sports programs, including the weeknight favorite “Contacto Deportivo Budweiser,” all of which complement the remainder of our exciting fall lineup.”

New Programs
This fall, TeleFutura’s primetime schedule will feature the largest selection of Hollywood and Spanish-language movies ever assembled for Spanish-language television, including more than 500 new Hollywood titles featuring the most popular stars such as Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The new movies will be featured in TeleFutura’s already successful movie blocks, the primetime “Cine de las Estrellas” (“All Star Movies”), the teen-oriented, weekend “Cineplex,” and the late-night “Cinescape, which will continue to draw large audiences as the biggest stars from Hollywood and Latin America headline hit movies.

Also this fall, “¿Qué Dice la Gente?” (“What Say the People?”), the Spanish-language version of the ever-popular American game show “Family Feud” will premiere on TeleFutura in primetime. Hosted by Marco Antonio Regil, also host of Univision’s immensely popular special “Premio Lo Nuestro,” “¿Qué Dice la Gente” will entertain audiences of all ages with its fun “feuds” involving two competing families.

On weekday afternoons, TeleFutura will premiere the innovative courtroom drama reality series “Corazones Rotos,” (“Broken Hearts”), where married couples at emotional crossroads have the opportunity to explore their issues, assisted by the show’s caring host, family members and a team of experts.

Novelas
TeleFutura will also debut a number of new novelas on weekdays during morning and early fringe dayparts. In “Viva la Pepa,” one shocking revelation after another develops, entangling the characters in a story of love, tragedy and ultimate triumph over adversity. The steadfast love of family is the central theme of “Mis 3 Hermanas” (“My 3 Sisters”), an enchanting story about the Estrada siblings and their struggle to keep their family together following the death of their parents and the hardships that ensue. “Carissima” (“Beloved”) is an intriguing story of family rivalry, scheming lovers and mistaken identities, sure to engross Spanish-language viewers. The power of love over hate and good over evil will be tested in “Angélica Pecado,” (“Angélica Sin”) a compelling story delivered by a top-rate cast of actors. Love lost, regained and lost again is the story of Ana and Alvaro, the two principal characters in “La Soberana” (“The Sovereign One”), a romantic novela that will captivate viewers as the two lovers struggle against all odds to salvage their love. “Cómplices al Rescate” (“Friends to the Rescue”) is a heart-warming children’s novela involving a group of talented young characters who learn the true lessons of happiness.

The extraordinary novela that became a worldwide phenomenon, “Yo Soy Betty, La Fea” (“I am Betty, the Ugly One”) will make its TeleFutura premiere during the 2002-2003 programming season in daytime. Breaking from the traditional novela format, this contemporary story centers on the highly intelligent but extremely unattractive Betty. Presented in an original and often-humorous story, viewers can’t help but fall in love with this novela’s unconventional heroine.

Returning Favorites
Returning to TeleFutura’s lineup is one of the hottest international entertainment magazines “La Oreja” (“The Ear”), featuring the hottest celebrity gossip. Irreverent and downright funny, “La Oreja” is the nosiest “Ear” in the business. Viewers will be delighted by the return of “El Escándalo del Mediodía,” (“The Midday Scandal”), the lively talk and variety show that is always full of engaging surprises. Hosted by the beloved Charytín, along with talented co-hosts Marisa del Portillo, Gabriela Teissier and Felipe Viel, “El Escándalo del Mediodía” continues to keep viewers guessing with its one-of-a-kind lineup of guests and segments. Weekday talk show “Mónica” returns with new and enhanced U.S. production facilities for a brand new season of candid conversations and interesting forums that tackle today’s relevant issues.

Every weekend, viewers will continue to be treated to a party like no other with “La Cartelera Pepsi” (“The Pepsi Charts”), where live performances from Latin music’s biggest stars are combined with a countdown of the hottest international hits to produce a star-studded musical celebration every week. In addition, throughout the day, viewers can expect TeleFutura’s concise and relevant news briefs in “Noticias Al Minuto,” hosted by veteran news anchors Edna Schmidt and Fernando del Rincon, who bring viewers the latest in breaking news and happenings from around the world.

Sports
Spanish-language viewers can catch all of the on-field action of world-class soccer tournaments like the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be held in the People’s Republic of China, where the United States Women’s Soccer team will defend its championship title against 15 other teams. Another celebrated North American championship soccer tournament that will air on Univision is the 2003 Copa Oro (Gold Cup), a tournament held every two years. Additionally, the “Championship of Champions” tournament, the 2003 Confederations’ Cup, matches up the national team champions from each FIFA region to vie in this globally recognized tournament.

Sports fans will welcome the return of the exciting sports program “Contacto Deportivo Budweiser” (“Sports Contact Budweiser”), which will continue to deliver all of the important highlights and latest scores of the day, as well as provide in-depth analysis and expert commentary from its team of veteran sportscasters, Ricardo Celis, Jorge Pérez Navarro and Adrián García-Márquez. TeleFutura also scores a knockout with the return of the live boxing program “Sólo Boxeo” (“Boxing Only”), which features an exciting two-hours of action-packed matches and many renowned boxers, as well as young future superstars. In addition, TeleFutura will continue to bring fans of Mexican League soccer all the action during broadcasts of the winter, summer and playoff games with its notable coverage of “Fútbol Liga Mexicana.”