Univision 2004 – 2005.

Univision Communications Inc. announced its 2004-2005 programming lineup for the Univision Network during its eighth annual Upfront advertising presentation in New York.

“Our goal for the upcoming season is to deliver the top 50 television shows among all Hispanics, and we’re confident that our 2004-2005 programming lineup will do just that,” said Ray Rodriguez, President and Chief Operating Officer, Univision Television Networks. “As the undisputed favorite television network among the rapidly growing U.S. Hispanic community, we are always changing and adapting our programming to keep up with current trends and the viewing preferences of our audience, while at the same time sticking to our strategy of offering the most compelling, culturally relevant, entertainment and information in Spanish.”

Otto Padron, Vice-President, Programming and Promotions, Univision Network said, “The 2004-2005 season will bring fresh, unique and exciting new programming to the Univision Networks’ airwaves, complimenting our roster of wildly-popular returning favorites that Hispanic Americans of all ages know and love. Our upcoming novelas are guaranteed to be resoundingly successful and our U.S.-produced original programming concepts will set precedents in the industry. This is our best development season yet and we’re looking forward to blockbuster hits across the board.”

Tom McGarrity, Co-President of Network Sales said, “Univision’s consistently high ratings and audience levels, ability to sustain these levels, and the quality of our programming secures our continued leadership in Spanish-language media. With our ability to now offer customers marketing programs that employ a combination of broadcast, cable and local television, radio, music and online advertising, our Network’s competitive advantage is tremendous. We are poised to provide national advertisers an alternative to the high CPM’s and eroding audience of English language networks by offering mass reach, mass distribution and a growing audience more efficiently in Spanish with multifaceted opportunities to target the nation’s largest minority group and help them reach their business objectives.”

New Programs

Novelas

The Univision Network’s Monday-Friday primetime and afternoon novela lineup includes premiere productions that will keep Hispanic television viewers hooked from the very first episodes to the thrilling, often surprising endings. These uniquely Latin continuing series deliver extraordinary ratings and are the most popular genre among U.S. Hispanics of all ages.

“Mujer de Madera” (“Woman of Wood”), the highly anticipated novela featuring superstar Edith González, is sure to be the blockbuster of the season when it makes its U.S. debut on Univision. González plays Marisa, who is distraught after being left at the altar but is eventually able to love again. (Primetime)

“Amarte es mi Pecado” (“My Sin is Loving You”) tells the story of a gorgeous woman betrayed by the man she loves. (Primetime)

“Rubí” (“Ruby”) is a story of passion, love, envy, intrigue, and revenge. It has all the ingredients that viewers won’t want to miss. (Primetime)

“Corazones al Limite” (“Hearts Without Limit”) stars Teen sensations Sara Maldonado and Aaron Diaz as they test their limits at extreme sports in a story of today’s youth and the challenges they face both in and out of school. (Primetime)

Comedy

“Artistas” (“Actors”), starring Fernando Arau as Jesus “Chucho” Vidal, is the humorous story of an unemployed actor torn between following his professional aspirations and pursuing the woman he loves. (Saturday, 7:00 p.m.)

Reality

“Lo Veremos Todo con Niurka y Bobby” (“Life with Niurka and Bobby”), Spanish-language television’s first newlywed reality show features Hispanic America’s most popular couple, Niurka Marcos and Bobby Larios, who open their home to Univision’s cameras and audience. Viewers will get an intimate look into the daily lives of this unpredictable duo. (Friday, 10:00 p.m.)

“Apostando al Amor” (“Betting on Love”), Univision’s hottest new unscripted reality/drama show follows a bachelorette in search of love who bets she can find it among 30 men who are vying for her heart. (Friday, 10:00 p.m.)

Movies

“Frida,” the two-time Academy Award winning film which chronicles the life of artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) from her complex relationship with her husband, Diego Rivera, to her contentious affairs, will make its world television premiere on Univision.

“El Crimen del Padre Amaro” stars one of Mexico’s most celebrated actors Gael Garcia Bernal (“Y Tu Mamá También,” “Amores Perros”) as Father Amaro in a controversial drama of a newly ordained young priest in a small Mexican town and his struggles with the rigors of priesthood.

Variety

“Viva Vero” (“Very Veronica!”), marks the Queen of Latin show biz Veronica Castro’s small screen return with this two-hour Sunday night variety extravaganza. A historic co-production by Univision, Televisa and Venevision, “Viva Vero” will be produced live in the U.S. every week. This variety show is mixed with countless interactive elements, celebrity comedy bits, and top- name musical performers. (Sunday, 8:00 p.m.)

Talk Show

“Historias para Contar” (“Stories Worth Telling”), a new talk show format presenting viewers with dramatic re-enactments of unbelievable real-life events followed by interviews, by “Despierta America” acclaimed host Giselle Blondet, with the individuals who lived through these experiences. (Friday, 10:00 p.m.)

Game Show

“Trato Hecho” adds Latin spice and flair to one of the biggest hits in television history, the classic game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” (Monday-Friday, 2:00 p.m.)

Youth

“No Manches” (“Don’t Jerk My Chain”) brings young Hispanic TV viewers entertainment with an edge, starring Omar Chapparo, Mexico’s newest youth sensation, as the unpredictable comedian and imitator of this zany new show made for today’s youth. (Saturday, 3:00 p.m.)

Special Event

“Selena…Un Tributo Musical: 10mo Aniversario” (“Selena…10th Anniversary Tribute Concert”) brings together the most popular stars and personalities of Latin music and entertainment ten years after Selena’s tragic passing, to honor her life, music, and legacy. Organized by her family, this live concert, broadcast exclusively on Univision, will feature today’s hottest stars performing her greatest hits. (March 31, 2005, 7:00 p.m.)

Returning Favorites

Primetime

“Cristina Show” stars one of the most recognized figures on Spanish-language television, Cristina Saralegui, as she resumes her reign as Queen of the #1 U.S.-produced talk show on Spanish-language television. (Monday, 10:00 p.m.)

“Al Filo de la Ley” (“At the Edge of the Law”), Spanish-language television’s first original U.S. produced legal drama series, tells the story of a prestigious law firm located in Los Angeles, California, that handles the most difficult immigration, labor, discrimination, and civil and criminal cases. (Tuesday, 10:00 p.m.)

“Don Francisco Presenta” (“Don Francisco Presents”) returns each week for an hour of intimate and often revealing conversation and live musical performances. (Wednesday, 10:00 p.m.)

Morning

“Despierta America” (“Wake Up America”), the most watched live early-morning news-variety program on Spanish-language television, will continue to be Hispanic America’s favorite way to start the day with hosts Fernando Arau, Giselle Blondet, Ana María Canseco, Raúl González and Neida Sandoval. (Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.)

“Casos de Familia” (“Family Stories”), the dramatic talk show, returns to morning television as host Judith Grace connects with her guests to find viable solutions to their problems. (Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.)

Afternoon

“El Gordo y La Flaca” (“The Scoop and the Skinny”) returns weekday afternoons as Raul De Molina and Lili Estefan, Univision’s most famous entertainment experts, dish out the juiciest gossip on today’s hottest stars in the #1 entertainment magazine. (Monday-Friday, 4:00 p.m.)

Weekend Primetime

“Sábado Gigante” (“Gigantic Saturday”), the longest running variety show in television history, continues to bring viewers three hours of non-stop entertainment every Saturday night with legendary host “Don Francisco.” (Saturday, 8:00 p.m.)

“La Parodia” (“The Parody”) returns with top-notch comics and actors taking aim at everything from movies and television shows to politicians and famous celebrities. (Sunday, 7:00 p.m.)

Weekend Daytime

“Caliente” (“Hot”), hosted by Rafael Mercadante, showcases the best music and beauty on Latin dance floors throughout the U.S. and Latin America. . (Saturday, 2:00 p.m.)

“Control,” the hit Teen-oriented magazine program, returns with popular host Karla Martinez. (Saturday 1:00 p.m.)

“Código F.A.M.A. 2” (“Code F.A.M.E. 2”) continues its search for the most talented kids in Mexico, as a whole new group of children make their way to the final round in this extraordinary musical contest. (Saturday, 12:00 p.m.)

News and Newsmagazines

“Noticiero Univision” (“Univision News”), Hispanic America’s #1 source of news, returns with its Emmy award-winning coverage and veteran news anchors, Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas, along with weekend anchors María Antonieta Collins and Sergio Urquidi. (Monday-Sunday 6:30 p.m.)

“Noticiero Univision Ultima Hora” (“Univision Late Night News”) returns with news personality Enrique Grata’s up-to-the-minute rundown of national and international news. (Monday-Friday, 11:30 p.m.)

“Aqui y Ahora” (“Here and Now”), the weekly primetime newsmagazine that presents the “stories behind the stories” of today’s most important events is back for another season with host Teresa Rodriguez. (Thursday, 10:00 p.m.)

“Primer Impacto” (“First Impact”) and “Primer Impacto Fin de Semana” (“First Impact Weekend Edition”) make a welcomed comeback this season with hosts Bárbara Bermudo, Fernando del Rincón and Carmen Dominicci. (Monday-Sunday, 5:00 p.m.)

“Ver Para Creer,” (“Seeing is Believing”) returns in primetime with a new team of hosts, including the talented Fernando del Ricón and Rosana Franco, who together will present Hispanic television viewers with an hour-long newsmagazine exploring dramatic images from around the world. (Sunday, 10:00 p.m.)

“Noticias Univision Presenta,” (“Univision Presents”), presents one-hour specials focusing on news of particular interest to the Hispanic community at different times throughout the year.

Specials

The Univision Network’s special events are always top-rated audience favorites. Univision broadcasts more special events and programs than any other U.S. Spanish-language network, airing the premiere musical events, festivals, beauty pageants and award ceremonies in the Spanish-speaking world.

This year’s upcoming spectacular primetime productions will include:

“Premio Lo Nuestro a La Música Latina,” (“Lo Nuestro Latin Music Awards”), the most prestigious Latin Music award ceremony, is back as Spanish-language television’s highest rated special. Celebrating its seventeenth edition, “Premio Lo Nuestro 2005” will once again recognize the very best in the musical genres of Pop, Tropical, Regional Mexican, Urbana and Rock. Broadcast live, the awards ceremony includes sensational performances by world famous Latin artists and has become the most-watched show in all of U.S. Hispanic television.

“Premio Juventud” (“The Youth Awards”), celebrates the hottest pop culture icons and rising Teen stars.

“Festival de Viña del Mar” is recognized internationally as the biggest and most important song festival in Latin America.

“Premios TV y Novelas” honors the most popular actors, comedians, anchors and show hosts on Spanish-language television, as voted on by “TV y Novelas” magazine readers.

“Nuestra Belleza de México” showcases beauties from every Mexican state as they compete for the title of “Miss Mexico.”

“Premios Furia Musical” features the best in Tex-Mex Banda, tropical, and traditional Mexican music at this all-star awards ceremony, as voted on by “Furia Musical” magazine readers.

“Festival Mariachi” brings traditional Mexican style music to a talent elimination competition held at Florida’s Walt Disney World.

“¡Premios Oye!” recognizes the best talent in the international music industry and is hosted by Mexico’s National Academy of Music.

“Qué Bodas” features Univision’s entertainment experts Lili Estefan and Raúl De Molina in a series of specials that bring viewers exciting details of some of the most high-profile weddings taking place among Hispanic celebrities.

“Feliz 2005!” Hispanic-America’s #1 New Year’s fiesta, rings in the New Year from different time zones in the U.S. and abroad. (December 31, 2004, 10:00 p.m.)

“Desfile De Las Rosas” showcases live coverage of the breathtaking New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade. (January 1, 2005, 10:00 a.m.)

“El Grito de Mexico,” the traditional celebrations of Mexico’s Independence Day broadcast live from Los Angeles with an all-star concert.

Sports

As the uncontested leader in championship soccer coverage, the Univision Network will continue to bring Hispanic America more of their favorite sport.

“República Deportiva” (“Sports Republic”), the two-hour informative and entertaining sports program hosted by Fernando Fiore and Rosana Franco once again hits the small screen with the latest sports developments and celebrity one-on-one interviews. (Sunday, 11:00 a.m.)

“Fútbol Liga Mexicana,” hosted by Pablo Ramirez and Ricardo Mayorga, will once again showcase all the action and excitement of the Mexico’s premier soccer division.

“CONCACAF’s Gold Cup” presents the match ups of the best from North and Central America and the Caribbean in this tournament to crown a national champion.

Rodriguez concluded: “Since our first Upfront eight years ago, Univision has delivered an average of 48 of the top 50 programs among all Hispanics – an unprecedented achievement. It is this consistency that sets us apart from our competitors and allows us to establish a long-term relationship with our audience and productive partnerships with our advertisers. The 2004-2005 season is bound to be our best yet.”

For more information at http://www.univision.net