Telemundo 2003-2004 Line-up.

Telemundo announced its programming lineup for the 2003-2004 season, heralding a new era in Spanish language TV in the United States. Telemundo will produce and broadcast original novelas, reality and talk shows that have a greater focus on the lifestyles, interests, and aspirations of U.S. Hispanics. With the backing and resources of NBC, Telemundo will be the first Spanish language broadcast network to air selected Olympic events and, affirming its position as the news leader, Telemundo announced plans to expand news coverage.

“We are really excited to launch our new season combining the best of our current programs with new, original shows targeted at today’s and tomorrow’s Spanish language TV audience,” remarked Telemundo’s President and CEO James McNamara during the network’s Upfront presentation at the Beacon Theater in New York City.

While retaining key acquisition relationships with TV Globo and Caracol the leading broadcasters in Brazil and Colombia respectively, Telemundo will produce an unprecedented volume of original programming for its prime-time lineup specifically for and reflecting the lives of Hispanics in the United States.

2003-2004 PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

NOVELAS

Telemundo’s newest U.S. based production, “Amores de Mercado” (Barrio Love), with novela superstars Jose Ángel Llamas (“La Venganza”) and Barbara Mori (“Mirada de Mujer”) is a tale of mistaken identity with a new and completely original twist. The novela begins with a terrible car accident where Rodolfo Ruttenemeyer, a wealthy industrialist, is knocked unconscious and awakens with amnesia. A witness, Pedro “Pelluco” Solis, looks so much like Rodolfo that he is mistakenly given Rodolfo’s wallet and identification cards. Although Pelluco tries to return the wallet his plans change suddenly when he is seduced by his “twin’s” fiancée, and decides to taste a little of the “good life”. Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Rodolfo (with amnesia) starts work at Pelluco’s menial job at the street market. Viewers will be surprised over and over again as Pelluco and Rodolfo will nearly cross paths and true love will be put to the test.

Inspired by true stories, and filmed on location in Houston, Texas, this ground-breaking novela “La Ley Del Silencio” (The Vow of Silence) is the story of Father Javier, played by Mauricio Ochman a progressive young priest who employs the power of the church to unite “El Silencio”, a Hispanic community, and to help its residents achieve what they came to America for: a better life.

“Medico de Familia” (Family Doctor) is a warm and funny family novela starring Victor Mallarino (“Por Que Diablos”) adopted from a format that has been a phenomenal success in many other countries. Viewers will take part in the daily joys and challenges of Nacho, a recently widowed family doctor with three children. After his wife dies, Nacho decides to leave his hometown in Mexico in quest of a better life for himself and his family in the United States. Fans will laugh and cry as they see themselves reflected in the everyday struggles and victories that this family experiences.

“Alma Herida” (Wounded Soul), produced by Pepe Rendon (“Corazon Salvaje”), is an intense story of love and betrayal. This novela is based on a story of Eugenia, played by Itati Cantoral (“María la del Barrio” and “Vale Todo”) whose family gets separated while crossing the Mexican frontera. After many attempts to be reunited, the mother finally returns to Mexico to regain the love of her husband and daughter. Eugenia, a young and attractive woman, falls in love with Juan Manuel a successful businessman who courted her via love letters and who had helped her father through difficult times. Juan Manuel who supported his younger brother, Alejandro, through school in the United States is betrayed by him when Alejandro returns to Mexico lusting after everything Juan Manuel has, even the love of his life.

“Siete Mujeres” (Seven Women), a cinematically beautiful and epic novela from TV Globo featuring Giovanna Antonelli and Thiago Lacerda, is the story of seven women living in rural Brazil during the revolutionary war of 1835 waiting for their men to return from battle. The women work together to survive physically and emotionally through tough times on the prairie and the through the joys and tragedies of love during a war.

By popular demand, Telemundo brings back our most famous comedic novela with new episodes filmed in cities across the United States. “Como Pedro Por Su Casa” picks up where our quirky, funny, loving, but socially inept star, Miguel Varoni “Pedro el Escamoso” left off. He has been deserted by his wife, is homeless, jobless, and in need of the help of a few of his friends. But of course he’s ever the optimist, looking for new love while stumbling into trouble and hilarious adventures.

REALITY

How does a Latina find her Prince Charming? In Telemundo’s new reality show, “La Cenicienta” our modern-day “princess” will have twenty handsome and eligible suitors vying for her attention while her family lets its opinion be known. And throughout this romantic journey, she will consult with her priest, astrologer, and a host-turned-fairy godmother. After all, she has a very important decision to make. And viewers will witness it all, every step of the way … as a fairy tale finally becomes a reality.

DAYTIME

Telemundo’s new weekday one-hour chat fest, “Las Comadres” (Best Girlfriends), features a team of five dynamic women of different ages, experiences and backgrounds discussing the most current events of the day and is a forum for the at-home and studio audience where real women discuss relevant, everyday issues. The show features Yovanka Sanchez — a host and entertainment reporter; Lily Kubiliun — formerly the teenage hostess of the popular children’s show “Nubeluz” and now a mother with a traditional viewpoint; Maria Regina – a syndicated personal advice columnist and single grandmother with a lifetime of experiences to offer viewers; Kenya – a well known entertainment reporter and host; and Olguita Dager – a news reporter who will share her experiences as a new, first time mother. Each segment of “Las Comadres” will be co-produced by one of the hosts and will include special celebrity guests and the best experts from various fields.

SPORTS

With the resources of NBC, America’s Olympic Network, Telemundo will make history by bringing the Olympics to television for the first-time ever in Spanish, with the complete coverage of the most important soccer championships in the world, as well as other events of special interest to the Hispanic community; a total of 129 hours. Telemundo will also begin its second season with the NBA, bringing weekly national games to the Hispanic audience. And returning as an exclusive to our network will be the United States and Mexican National Soccer Team as they continue their march to the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Cup.

NEWS

Telemundo was the first Spanish language TV network to begin coverage of the War in Iraq and the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy. Telemundo continues to expand news coverage with more resources and the most respected talent. With “Noticiero Telemundo” and “Hoy en el Mundo”, Telemundo brings viewers the most complete coverage seven days a week.

After one extremely successful year of “Al Rojo Vivo” you can expect host and managing editor Maria Celeste Arrarás to continue delivering stories in a news magazine format described as “paella style” taking viewers from across the United States and Latin America around the world in an hour.

TELEMUNDO ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS: WEEKEND SPECIALS

Throughout history music has been a way to tell stories of a culture, for Mexico, the songs are called Corridos. The brand new series from Telemundo showcases an epic retelling of famous stories from popular songs that are unique to this Mexican folkloric musical genre.

Starring the beautiful Mexican actress, Itati Cantoral as Victoria Cruz, Rumberas takes us back to the1940s when Victoria is a sweet and innocent teenager who loves to dance. She meets Santiago, a just and generous sailor who falls madly in love with her but fate stands in their way of being together forever.

Historias y Testigos explores timely and true-to-life events from experiences on the Mexico-U.S. border every week on this electrifying new series from Telemundo. Follow the exploits of Valentina Suárez, a young hotshot TV reporter and her sidekick Diego Calderón, fearless cameraman and ex-war correspondent, as they face the most dangerous assignments in search of the truth.

Telemundo presented one of the most beloved figures in the history of Mexico, Emiliano Zapata, in this biographical novela. The story begins in 1910 when a young Zapata falls deeply in love with Rose Elliot, the beautiful daughter of a rich land owner of British descent but they are quickly torn apart by the antagonism of their separate worlds. Starring Damian Bichir (Sexo, Pudor, y Lagrimas) and Ana Cludia Talancon (Vale Todo).