WAPA Television secures Exclusive Rights to the 2016 Miss Universe Puerto Rico Pageant

WAPA Television has secured exclusive rights to the 2016 Miss Universe Puerto Rico Pageant. The prestigious event will take place at San Juan’s renowned Centro de Bellas Artes on November 12, 2015, and will broadcast live on WAPA Television, the leading broadcast station in Puerto Rico, and in the United States on WAPA America, the station’s cable network arm.

The 2016 Miss Universe Puerto Rico pageant will determine who will represent Puerto Rico at the 2016 Miss Universe pageant. With five Miss Universe crowns, Puerto Rico has produced the second-largest number of Miss Universe winners than any country in the world, only behind Venezuela. Dayanara Torres, Denise Quiñones and Zuleyka Rivera are among the former Miss Universe winners who have hailed from the island.  

“The Miss Universe Puerto Rico pageant is the biggest television event in Puerto Rico, and we’re thrilled to have it back on WAPA,” said Alan J. Sokol, President of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc., WAPA’s parent company. “We look forward to the opportunity to bring this highly anticipated event to our U.S. viewers on WAPA America.”

“Our team is extremely excited to be working with WAPA’s managerial staff, and we are confident that this year will mark a new phase in the development of our beloved competition,” said Desireé Lowry, co-director of the event alongside well-known Puerto Rican personality, Luisito Vigoreaux. “We look forward to crowing a queen whose personality, style, and allure can bring Puerto Rico a sixth coronation.”

The network will also air a special program covering the lead-up to the main event, which will feature the candidates’ elaborate preparation process, along with coverage of a number of crucial preliminary competitions.