Telemundo Upfront 2015: 'Big Brother' To Open Doors For Latinos In The U.S.

Telemundo is expected to make big programming announcement next week in New York during their Upfront presentation, but we have news on a big show that will be premiering soon. The Spanish-language network will be producing the "Big Brother" format for Latinos in conjunction with Endemol Shine North Amerida. This will be the first time that the format will be produced in Spanish in the U.S. where it has enjoyed sizzling summer ratings on CBS for sixteen seasons. “We are pleased to add yet another truly global hit franchise to Telemundo’s reality lineup,” said Luis Silberwasser, president, Telemundo. “Our viewers are passionate and engaged with reality entertainment programming, and with "Gran Hermano" our partners at Endemol Shine North America have provided us with an addictive new series whose cast will fully represent the changing face of America."

“This series continues to resonate with TV audiences all over the world and our team has developed an exciting new version that we believe will resonate with the Spanish-language viewers here in the U.S.,” added Endemol Shine North America cochairmen and co-CEOs Cris Abrego and Charlie Corwin. The Spanish-language version of the format will cast 14 strangers and set them up to live in a house where they will be monitored and recorded 24/7. The show is expected to go on for 13 weeks and live feeds and exclusive content will be set up online. There's no word if the format will be like the original where the audience gets to decide who stays and who goes, or if it will be more in line with the CBS format where it's more about challenges and forming teams to vote each other out.

Earlier this year, Televisa producer Miguel Angel Fox announced that they will be returning to the Big Brother format in the fall after 10 years off the air. "I always get into complicated things because I have a challenge and I've been concentrated 24 hours a day in a project that is called 'Big Brother.' We will launch in September," Fox said. "September, October, November and December... It's a big project, very ambitious that has been renovated and never went off-air in other countries. It is a format that has been able to adapt to the times. I think we are going to have a great 'Big Brother' this 2015." The Mexican version of the Endemol format was first produced in 2002 under the vision of Pedro Torres. Audiences were addicted to the show and Televisa produced civilian and celebrity editions season after season with no big breaks. In 3 years there were 8 seasons, which took a toll in the ratings and quickly burned out.