Television

There is not much of a question that more and more companies — buyers, sellers and intermediaries alike — are going to use a digital approach to TV advertising.

Over the last couple of years, Puerto Rico has been caught in an economic recession that has not only regulatory and financial institutions worrying about the financial stability of the island’s economy, but also the average islander is looking to leave the island for better opportunities on the US mainland.  Once gain, the economy in Puerto Rico is not growing, but has been contracting according to all international and national sources.  This has not only impacted the quality of life on the island for its inhabitants and the crime rate, but has also affected the advertising industry on the island as a whole.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) announced the appointment of Chiqui Cartagena to the position of vice president in the Political and Advocacy Group, effective immediately.

Telemundo Phoenix announced today that Andrew Deschapelles has been named Vice President of Sales, effective immediately.

Univision Networks announces the world premiere of Televisa production “Que te Perdone Dios”, an epic story about secrets and sins. The primetime novela will air first in the United States starting on January 19, 2015.

FOXLife announced the premiere of ‘Heston: Supercomidas,’ an original television series starring world renewed chef Heston Blumenthal.

Arrepentidos returns with seven new original episodes premiering on Nat Geo Mundo on Sunday, January 18 at 10PM ET/PT.

Telemundo 60 San Antonio announced that Arlena Amaro has been named co-anchor for Noticias 60 Telemundo weekdays at 4:30 PM, 5 PM and 10 PM.

The NFL Network announced it has hired Steven Graciano as VP of marketing.

If social media is the new water cooler, U.S. viewers certainly had their share of “let’s discuss” moments in 2014. From someone kind of getting devoured by an anaconda to the U.S. Men’s World Cup soccer squad trying to make a go of it to, well, zombies, there’s no shortage of Twitter activity during programs—and even in the days after.

Gabriel Coronel, Kimberly Dos Ramos, Sissi Fleitas, Judith Grace, Fabián Ríos, Don Pedro Rivera, Maripily Rivera, Henry Santos, Fernando Vargas and Gabriela Vergara are ready to kick-off the new season of the culinary competition, “Top Chef Estrellas,” this Sunday, January 11th at 9pm/8c on Telemundo.

Adding to ESPN Deportes’ 11th anniversary celebration today, the network announces the addition of Hugo Sanchez to its lineup of distinguished on-air talent. Sánchez joins ESPN Deportes to serve as an analyst for Futbol Picante and other platforms, starting January 15.

Leading into its exclusive Spanish-language telecast of Super Bowl XLIX when it rebrands to become NBC UNIVERSO on Feb. 1, NBCUniversal’s Hispanic cable network mun2 will air in Spanish this Saturday’s Divisional Playoff matchup between AFC powerhouses the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.

DIRECTV introducedYaveo, a Spanish-language streaming entertainment service available with an Internet connection (first on PCs, MACs and Android devices, closely followed by iPhone, iPad, Xbox 360, and other devices).

NBCUniversal’s Hispanic Enterprises and Content announced the appointment of Jeff Mayzurk to Senior Vice President, Operations and Technology.  He will be based in Miami and will be responsible for developing and executing technology strategy across all business units, including Telemundo Network and Studios, Telemundo International and mun2. He will oversee all operations, technology and facilities teams and be tasked with evolving network architecture, including supporting systems and technologies.

ESPN Deportes will provide exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the first-ever Football Playoff. The new post-season format will feature four teams in the semifinals followed by a championship game between the winning programs – ESPN Deportes will provide complete coverage of the highly anticipated doubleheader semifinal Rose Bowl and Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Local television broadcasting companies FOX, Tribune Media, and Univision have joined forces with Timeline Labs to announce NewCoin LLC., a new data venture aimed at addressing deficiencies in local market television audience measurement.  The mission of NewCoin is to harness the data gathering power of currently available and emerging technologies, in order to create a broader based measurement tool that will accurately measure audiences across the entire spectrum of linear and digital platforms.

NBCUniversal rolled out Telemundo Now on Xbox One®from Microsoft, joining USA Now and Syfy Now.

Telemundo 40 in McAllen, TX announced that Miguelángel López has been promoted to News Director. In this role, he will be responsible for the overall performance of the news department and all other local productions across multiple media platforms.

NBCUniversal announced the promotion of Meara Abramson Valenzuela to Senior Vice President, Planning and Strategy, Hispanic Enterprises and Content. She is based in New York and will report to Marlene Sanchez Dooner, Executive Vice President, Hispanic Enterprises and Content.