Univision Network Expands Programming Sources.

Univision Communications Inc. and Coral International, the distribution agent of Venezuela’s programming producer and network, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), announced that they have signed a 10-year exclusive program licensing agreement under which RCTV programming will be broadcast on the Univision Network, Puerto Rico’s Tele-Once and Super Siete, Galavision, and Univision’s new broadcast network – expected to launch in January 2002.

As part of the agreement, Univision has the exclusive rights to at least 800 hours per year of original, first-run novelas as well as the exclusive rights to all other RCTV programming, including game shows, variety entertainment and comedies for the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Univision has also purchased a catalog of novelas created in 1999 and 2000, totaling approximately 1,200 hours, to be aired as first-run programming in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“We are delighted to be adding RCTV as one of our long-term strategic programming partners,” said Ray Rodriguez, President and Chief Operating Officer, Univision Network. “With the addition of RCTV’s large production team and quality programming, the Univision Network, our future new broadcast network, our recently acquired television stations in Puerto Rico, and Galavision will benefit tremendously. We look forward to working together to provide U.S. Hispanics and the Puerto-Rico market with innovative, proven entertainment.”

Commenting on the strategic alliance, Marcel Granier, President and Chairman of the RCTV Board of Directors said, “RCTV’s historic programming partnership with Univision will serve well both the U.S. Hispanic audiences and Latin American viewers as innovative programs and dynamic talent are developed and showcased to millions worldwide.”

Mario Rodriguez, President, Univision Entertainment, stated, “With the addition of RCTV to the Univision family, Hispanic audiences in the United States and Puerto Rico will now have access to the vast library of RCTV novelas, dramatic series and variety programming which have been so successful throughout Latin America. This long-term programming alliance is a testament to the strong support we will be providing the RCTV programs and talent across all of our television platforms.”

“We are very proud that our popular telenovelas as well as our leading programs will now be broadcast to millions of Hispanics throughout the United States and Puerto Rico by the No. 1 U.S. Spanish-language media company,” said Jose Escalante, Vice President and General Manager of Coral International. “Our writers, producers and talent are thrilled to be joining the Univision family and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship between our two companies.”

Some of the blockbuster novelas from RCTV which will begin airing on Univision and the new broadcast network include: ‘Mi Tres Hermanas,’ starring Scarlett Ortiz and Ricardo Alamo; ‘Carita Pintada,’ starring Simon Pestana and Catherine Correia; and ‘Mujer Secreta,’ starring Carolina Tejera and Juan Carlos Vivas. In addition to these contemporary first-run novelas, the Puerto Rico market will also benefit from novelas which were hugely successful throughout Latin America, such as ‘Pura Sangre,’ starring Lilibeth Morillo and Simon Pestana.