Sí TV Preps For Launch.

In anticipation of its February 25th launch, the Latino-themed, English-language network Sí TV has announced five new shows to premiere on the network, and has hired award-winning producer Edward R. Leon as vice president of production.

While overseeing production and original development of programming for Sí TV, Leon will also executive produce at least four of its daily shows, and has hired experienced producers to guide each. The programs and their producers include:

“I Can’t Believe It’s Cinema” – Executive produced by award-winning Moctesuma Esparza (Selena, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge) the show takes really bad old Mexican movies and re-edits them into 30 min. shows with totally new scripted English-language audio track. Result hilarious and utterly original. (debuts April 1st)

“Urban Jungle” – Currently in pre-production, “Urban Jungle” is a provocative new one-hour reality program set in Central L.A. in which contestants participate in a social experiment-meets-comedy series that truly tests their mettle. Leaving their comfortable lives behind in a quest for the $50,000 grand prize, they must trade their suburban neighborhoods for the Barrio, and their BMWs for the bus, trying to survive in the urban jungle with the help of three street-wise and benevolent “padrinos.” The show is executive produced by Leon and produced by husband and wife team Joe Menendez (writer of Fox sitcom “Luis,” directed episodes of “The Brothers Garcia” and “Taina”) and Roni Eguia Menendez (field producer for “Jimmy Kimmel Live”). (debuts April 1st)

“the rub” – A half-hour talk show that explores all aspects of dating, relationships, sexuality and male/female issues. Four hosts (including Kerri Kasem, Sam Sarpong and Kristina Guerrero) bring these diverse issues before a live studio audience, offering a fun, spirited twist on the battle of the sexes – the classic “rub” between men and women. Show producer Tina Malave, has produced for the NBC talk show “The Other Half.” (debuts February 25th)

“The Drop” – A daily one-hour, edgy entertainment show featuring music videos, performances, dance and freestyle DJ competitions, interviews with film, television and music celebrities, all viewed through the prism of today’s Latino urban culture. Set in a happening lounge – with a house DJ spinning for a live studio audience – “The Drop” will feature the best in hip-hop, and English-language Latino pop and rock. An integral component of “The Drop” will be Romeo and DeJai a/k/a “Tha Goodfellas,” top-rated afternoon drive-time personalities on L.A.’s Power 106 (KPWR-FM). Producers Bruce Walker and Brenda Jones-Walker are co-owners of B&B Entertainment, a music and television production company. Bruce Walker has held positions at Motown and Dreamworks Records while his wife Brenda has held posts at Capitol Records, Qwest, Arista/LaFace, MCA and Interscope, and worked with artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur. (debuts February 25th)

“Latin Laugh Festival: The Show” – This one-hour showcase features cutting-edge comedy, inventive sketches and a behind-the-scenes peek at the workings of a comedy club. The stand-up comics seen on the show may be of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Brazilian descent, but they all share something in common: they’re all funny, and offer their own perspectives on American culture with a Latino and multicultural twist. Executive produced by Leon, producer Pat Buckles booked comedians on “Comic Strip Live” for Fox and served as talent executive for The Latino Laugh Festival and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. (debuts February 25th)

Leon recently spent two seasons guiding NBC’s daily ensemble talk-variety series “The Other Half.” As one of the original producers of “The Montel Williams Show,” he helped develop Williams from an on-camera novice into one of TV’s most successful talk show hosts. Leon has achieved a long and successful career producing shows for Fox, ABC, MTV and Disney. Leon is the recipient of an Emmy for “Good Day L.A.,” the Golden Mike for news, and four CableACE Awards as a producer and director of documentary programs.

“I’m thrilled to have Ed aboard as someone who will help set the creative tone of this network,” stated Sí TV co-founder Jeff Valdez.