MIAMI - Telemundo has exclusively informed the Latin Times that it is preparing 1,000 hours of original content for 2024, including reality TV programs and fictional productions. The news come at a time of declining TV ratings, with audiences increasingly focusing on streaming and social media, as well as layoffs across the media landscape.
"It is not true that Telemundo's strategy is to eliminate fictional content. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing a significant project," a company source stated.
In recent weeks, there have been reports that Telemundo was shifting its production focus solely to reality TV. However, this has been categorically denied as "completely false" by the source.
Telemundo's new TV shows
Back in 2003, Telemundo produced 900 hours of original content and plans to increase this by over 10% in the coming year, said the source.
One of the network's new projects, "Pica y se extiende," will debut this Sunday, January 21st, at 10 pm/ 9 C. It's a one-hour variety show centered on entertainment, hosted by Puerto Rican Carlos Aydán and Costa Rican Verónica Bastos. The show aims to dissect events from the galas of "La Casa de los Famosos."
"La Casa de los Famosos'" fourth season, hosted by Ximena Gallego and Nacho Lozano, kicks off on Tuesday, the 23rd. The announced cast includes notable figures such as Alfredo Adame, Daniela Alexis 'La Bebeshita', Silvia 'La Bronca' Del Valle, Sophie Durand, Pedro 'La Divaza' Figueira, Thalí García, Carlos Gómez, Mariana González, Ariadna Gutiérrez, Alana Lliteras, Fernando Lozada, Clovis Nienow, Gregorio Pernía, José Reyes, Lupillo Rivera, and Maripily Rivera.
The morning show 'Hoy Día' is also launching a dancing contest starting the last week of January. Additionally, the ninth season of "El Señor de los Cielos," led by Rafael Amaya, and featuring Itatí Cantoral, premieres on February 13th.
TelevisaUnivision vs. Telemundo: different strategies
Amidst these developments, TelevisaUnivision, facing similar industry challenges, laid off staff this week and announced a commercial version of its streaming service, Vix. This move underscores the significant shifts in viewer preferences.
Ronald Day, President of Entertainment and Content Strategy at NBCUniversal Telemundo, emphasized at a press conference that their strategy is to "create content that works across all platforms." It's a plan that has yielded mixed results in the past. Expensive productions like "La Reina del Sur" and the new version of "Café con Aroma de Mujer", among others, haven't lived up to expectations in broadcast ratings but have been huge successes in Netflix.
Day, who is participating in the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) annual meeting and market place in Miami this week, defined Telemundo's decision as "brave."
Where to watch:
"Pica y Se Extiende" can be viewed live on Sundays at 10 pm/9c or via the Telemundo app on the Google Play Store and Apple Store, and on Telemundo.com. The audience is invited to engage in conversations about the show on various social media platforms.
"La Casa de los Famosos" will air for two hours from Monday to Friday 7pm/6c, plus a special show presented as a "gala" on Sundays, from 8pm/7c to 10pm/9c. Fans can also see a 24 hour feed on LaCasadelosFamosos.com and Youtube, and join discussions through Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms using handles and hashtags like @Telemundo, @TelemundoRealities, #LaCasaDeLosFamosos, and #LCDLF.
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