Television

DESAPARECIDOS, a new pioneering docudrama featuring real life cases of missing Hispanics in the U.S., premieres Tuesday, October 23, on LAT-TV’s 22 market network. The program informs audiences about facts and circumstances surrounding unsolved missing person cases, (primarily children) providing viewer education and safety tips. The show aims to alert the community and hopefully prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) announced that it entered into a new agreement with the leading satellite television provider in the United States, DirecTV. Under the agreement, SBS’ MEGA TV (Channel 22 in Miami) will be distributed nationwide starting October 17th on DirecTV MAS, Channel 405. The agreement is a landmark deal for SBS as it secures national distribution for its programming only a year and a half after inaugurating operations in Miami.

According to Broadcasting & Cable magazine, Telemundo cable and digital-media chief Antoinette Zel is out at the company after three years. According to sources familiar with the matter, Telemundo president Don Browne decided not to renew her contract as senior executive vice president, network strategy. A network spokesperson confirmed that she will be leaving to “pursue other options in the industry” and said the decision was mutual.

Steve Mandala, Senior Vice President of Sales for Telemundo, has been promoted to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Cable Ad Sales for NBC Universal, effective immediately. The announcement was made today by Mike Pilot, President, NBC Universal Sales and Marketing, to whom Mandala will report.

As EVP of Cable Ad Sales, Mandala is responsible for overseeing the sales and marketing efforts for the company’s cable entertainment networks, USA, Sci-Fi, BRAVO, Chiller, Sleuth and Uni HD. He will also help with the transition at Telemundo, continuing to oversee sales until a replacement is named.

The announcement that NBC Universal intends to sell their Telemundo station in Puerto Rico created a buzz never heard before regarding the sale of a media entity in Puerto Rico.

Industry insiders state that several local actors and investors have voiced their interest in being part of a group to acquire the property. Additionally, a very well known Spanish music mogul with a lot of influence in the music industry has been expressing interest. To cap this, Luis Roldan who recently left abruptly his relationship with Carlos Barba and Caribevision and previously ran the Telemundo station for several years, has been heard making calls to put a group together.

Univision and Nuyorican Productions announced the international all-star cast of one of the most anticipated television events on Spanish-language TV, “Como Ama Una Mujer” (How a Woman Loves), featuring Golden Globe and GRAMMY(R) nominated superstar Jennifer Lopez as creator and executive producer. The five-part dramatic mini-series will debut on the Univision Television Network this fall.

Univision Communications Inc. announced that Cesar Conde has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, effective immediately. Conde will report to Joe Uva, Chief Executive Officer of Univision.

In this position, Conde will work closely with the CEO and the management team to identify new strategic growth opportunities for the Company while continuing to implement Univision’s corporate priorities. He will work to identify new business initiatives and alternative revenue streams across the Company’s television, radio and internet platforms and coordinate with all units in support of these new efforts.

Telemundo continues to extend its reach to emerging markets. Telemundo generated a 30% increase over 2005, with 26,000 hours of programming aired around the world in 2006. July 2007, marked the premieres of 15 Telemundo Internacional original novelas throughout Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Indonesia.