Univision

by Veronica Ortiz
[1] Univision Logo

[1] Univision Logo

ABOUT UNIVISION

Univision, owned by Univision Communications Inc. (UCI), is the largest Spanish language broadcast television network in the country, catering almost exclusively to Hispanic audiences living in the United States and Puerto Rico. It boasts a reach of 97% of Hispanic households in America, being carried by more than 1,400 broadcast and cable affiliates. [2] [3] Supported by UCI, Univision’s Hispanic market research is unparalleled to any other network and, with an ever growing Hispanic community in the US, Univision expects an exponential growth for all of its properties. [4]

KEY EXECUTIVES

Randy Falco, CEO

Randy Falco, President and CEO [5]

Alberto Ciurana, President, Programming and Content, Univision Communications Inc. [6]

Alberto Ciurana, President, Programming and Content, Univision Communications Inc. [6]

FINANCES

As of October 2014, Univision Communications holds a revenue of $2.63 billion. Its third-quarter financials have seen an improvement from last year’s, mostly due to the World Cup adding $54.1 million in net advertising revenue. A year ago, Univision faced a loss of $15.9 million, but this year the earnings rose to $42.8 million. TV and digital properties lead the 5.2% increase to $728.9 million. Univision Communication’s TV unit increased 5.7% to $613.9 million in this third quarter. In conclusion, it has been a strong year for Univision overall, helped heftily by the World Cup and retransmission fees, but weighed down by a slightly down core advertising revenue and radio revenue. [7] [8]

 

POPULAR FRANCHISES AND PROGRAMMING

The great majority of Univision’s programming consists of telenovelas produced by Mexican mass media company Televisa. Sitcoms have a weaker presence in Univision’s programming, but it still produces a moderate amount of original programming.

NUESTRA BELLEZA LATINA

Nuestra Belleza Latina Logo [10]

Nuestra Belleza Latina Logo [10]

Nuestra Belleza Latina is a beauty show and reality contest where twelve women compete for a one year talent contract with Univision and for cash prizes. The show offers impressive ratings, and this year it made social media headlines by becoming the first show in English or Spanish to top the weekly buzz rankings on Facebook. [9]

THE LATIN GRAMMY

Latin Grammy Awards [11]

Latin Grammy Awards [11]

The Latin Grammy Awards is an annual awards show where the Latin Recording Academy recognizes outstanding Latin musical artists from around the world. The awards are broadcast in the U.S. by Univision. [11] The 15th Annual Latin Grammy Awards reached viewership of nearly ten million, with exemplary audience growth among the much coveted 18-34 demographic. Univision ranked as the No. 2 broadcast network for the evening of the Latin Grammy Awards, outperforming CBS, FOX and NBC. [12] [24]

SÁBADO GIGANTE

Sabado Gigante [13]

Sabado Gigante [13]

Sábado Gigante, a variety series, is Univision’s longest running program and the world’s longest running variety television show. It has been broadcast every Saturday evening and hosted by Mario Kreutzberger, better known as Don Francisco, since August, 1962. [13] A new three-hour episode is premiered each Saturday at 8pm with no reruns, really. [14] The show is known throughout every Hispanic household and has become a token of Hispanic culture.  In 2012, Sabado Gigante celebrated its 50 years of uninterrupted broadcasting. Below is a compilation of clips from Sabado Gigante, put together by Univision to celebrate the show’s 50 years. [15] [16]

 

 

NEW CROSS-PLATFORM CONTENT

Even with old, but reliable hits such as Sábado Gigante, Univision still looks to expand to services that will also target millenials. The company recently struck a deal with DirecTV to provide content for their Internet-delivered service targeted towards Hispanic audiences. [17] This year, Univision also launched their own English-language over-the-top service called The Flama. [18] Full episodes for some of Univision’s programming can be found in their portal UVideos. Heavy hitters ratings-wise for this season include:

MI CORAZÓN ES TUYO (MY HEART IS YOURS)

Ana, a dancer, becomes a nanny after meeting a wealthy widower, Fernando, with seven kids. [19]

Mi Corazon Es Tuyo

Mi Corazon Es Tuyo stars Silvia Navarro and Jorge Salinas [19]

The telenovela airs Monday through Friday on the 8pm-9pm time slot with strong ratings. It averaged 3.7 million viewers in the week of November 17-25, 2014, outperforming FOX in each demographic. [20]

HASTA EL FIN DEL MUNDO (UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD)

Sofia takes the helm of her family’s successful chocolate manufacturing business after her father’s death. Even though she is engaged, she falls for her chauffeur, Salvador, who is also a race-car driver. [19]

Sofia from Hasta El Fin Del Mundo [23]

Hasta El Fin Del Mundo stars Marjorie de Sousa [19]

Hasta El Fin Del Mundo is a Mexican telenovela based on the Argentinian telenovela Dulce amor. In the 9pm-10pm slot, Hasta El Fin Del Mundo had 3.5 million viewers in the November 17-25, 2014 week. [20]

 

LA MALQUERIDA (THE BAD MISTRESS)

After the death of her husband, Cristina’s hacienda falls into disarray until a handsome man, Esteban, offers to help her. They quickly fall in love, much to the distaste of Cristina’s daughter Acacia, who leaves the hacienda, but returns twelve years later, now a beautiful young woman. The return of Acacia makes Esteban develop a secret passion for her.  [19]

La Malquerida

La Malquerida stars (left to right) Ariadne Diaz, Christian Meier and Victoria Ruffo. [19]

La Malquerida helped put Univision on No. 3 Monday-Friday on the 10pm-11pm time slot, outperforming CBS for the week of November 17-25, 2014.The telenovela brought 2.4 million viewers adults 18-49. [20]

 

 

IN THE NEWS

MASSIVE LAYOFFS FOR UNIVISION EMPLOYEES IN PUERTO RICO

After massive layoffs in Univision Puerto Rico, residents of the island formed a Facebook page calling for the boycott of Univision. Over 30,000 users have joined it.

After massive layoffs in Univision Puerto Rico, residents of the island formed a Facebook page calling for the boycott of Univision. Over 30,000 users have joined it. [23]

On Friday October 17, 2014, Univision gutted its news operations on the island of Puerto Rico, scrapping most of the programs produced locally and dealing a huge blow to the already poor state of media and journalism on the island. [21]

 Malule González was among those laid off and was replaced by Jaime Bauza. Promoted to senior vice president and general manager, Bauza will oversee Univision Puerto Rico, which includes Univision Canal 11, Tele Isla Canal 7 and the company’s radio properties. The reason why these layoffs happened has not yet been revealed, but some speculate that it is part of a strategy by Univision in the U.S. to make the company more appealing for sale. A positive note to this story has been Univision’s announcement of a request of proposals for new programming produced locally for 2015. [22]

SHORT-FORM TELENOVELAS

Novelas Xpress on UVideos [25]

Novelas Xpress on UVideos [25]

Novelas Xpress is Univision’s newest online service which will present 17 different abridged versions of popular telenovelas. Nine of these will be available on Hulu, while the rest will be distributed on UVideos.

The reason for this move could be attributed to the Hispanic audience’s propensity to consume content on mobile devices. According to the director of content acquisition at Hulu, Rodrigo Mazon, “The Latino audience on Hulu is approximately 40 percent more likely to consume video on mobile.” [24] In addition to providing content to their audiences in a format they want, they will also benefit heftily from ad revenues. According to Mazon, the popularity of Korean dramas on Hulu might also indicate American audience’s desire to consume non-american content. To this end, Novelas Xpress will also feature English subtitles for some of their telenovelas. [25]

 

SOURCES

[1] Univision.com – Últimas Noticias, Farándula, Novelas, Fútbol, Radio. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014.

[2] Forbes.com. Univision Communications. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014.

[3] Hoovers.com. (n.d.). Univision Communications Inc.Company Information. Retrieved November 30, 2014.

[4] Corporate Univision. (n.d.). Explore Hispanic Marketing Insights and Hispanic Research. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[5] Randy Falco – Univision. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014.

[6] Alberto Ciurana – Univision. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014.

[7] Univision Communications Third-Quarter Financials Improve, CEO Talks Streaming – Hollywood Reporter. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[8] Mahler, J. (2014, July 12). Biggest Scorer in World Cup? Maybe Univision (The New York Times) . Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[9] Flomenbaum, A. (2014, March 31). ‘Nuestra Belleza Latina’ Becomes First Show to Top Facebook’s Weekly Buzz Ratings. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[10] Nuestra Belleza Latina. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[11] Latin Grammy. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[12] Kondolojy, A. (2014, November 21). 15th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Reaches Nearly 10 Million Viewers With Double-Digit Growth Among Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[13] Sabado Gigante. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[14] Longest Running TV Variety Show. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[15] Luzardo, H. (2012, July 7). Don Francisco sobre ‘Sábado Gigante’: ‘No creo en sucesores’ Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[16]  Univision News – Sabado Gigante Turns 50! Take a Ride Down Memory Lane. (2012, October 25). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[17] Grover, R., & Baker, L. (2014, September 11). Exclusive : Univision to provide content for DirecTV online service by year end. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[18] Jarvey, N. (2014, April 17). Univision Launches Over-the-Top Network The Flama – Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[19] Univision Media Kit. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[20] Bibel, S. (2014, November 25). Univision Beat One or More English-Language Network on 92 Percent of Nights Among Adults 18-34 in November Sweeps to Date. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[21] Online Staff. (2014, October 17). Univision Guts PR News Operation – Caribbean Business. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[22] Univision PR. (2014, October 17). Univision Puerto Rico Announces Executive Leadership & Programming Changes – Univision. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[23] Worley-Lopez, F. (2014, October 21). Univision Layoffs Bury the Real Story in Puerto Rico. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[24] Kuchinkas, S. (2014, June 12). Hulu Goes Big for Latino Content. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

[25] Univision PR. (2014, November 20). Univision Launches Novelas Xpress, New Short-Form Telenovela Format – Univision. Retrieved December 1, 2014.

Univision

by Tiana Flores
Univision logo courtesy of Univision.com [1]

Univision logo courtesy of Univision.com [1]

Univision Communications Inc.
605 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10158
United States
(212) 455-5331

www.Univision.com

Brief History:

In 1979 Galavisión was the first spanish-language cable network to launch nationwide. During the 1980’s Hallmark Inc. and it’s minority partner First Chicago Venture Capital bought the Spanish International Network television stations, which included Galavisión. The new owners renamed the Spanish International Network to what is now known as Univision Network.[2]
In the 1990’s A. Jerrold Perenchio, Televisa and Venevision acquired Univision from Hallmark Inc. Since then Univision has expanded into various media platforms including radio and digital. Univision Communications Inc. owns and operates various television networks that broadcast sports, music, films, dramatic stories, reality shows, etc. Univision is considered to be the leading media company serving Hispanic Americans. [2]

Media Properties:

Main Executives:

-President & Executive Chief Officer: Randy Falco  Photo courtesy of Univision.com

-President & Executive Chief Officer: Randy Falco
Photo courtesy of Univision Corporate [3]

Falco joined the Univision team back in 2009. Under Falco’s leadership, Univision has added three cable companies and digital offerings.Falco has increased Univision’s revenue and expanded across various multimedia platforms. [4]

Senior Executive VP & Chief  Financial Officer: Andrew W. Hobson Photo Courtesy of Univision.com

Senior Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer: Andrew W. Hobson
Photo Courtesy of Univision Corporate [5]

Hobson has been with Univision since 1993 and throughout his time with the company he has held several leadership roles. Before assuming his current position in 2005, Hobson was the Chief Strategic Officer. [6]

Financials:

Third quarter 2013 net revenue increased by 10.1% to $692.7 million from $628.9 million in 2012. Also stated is the adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) increased by 9.2% to $301.8 million from last year’s $276.5 million. The third quarter came to an end on September 30, 2013 and for the past nine months, the net revenue increased by 9.1% to $1,931.2 million from $1,770.3 in the previous year. Meanwhile the OIBDA also increased to $824.3 million from $713.9 million in 2012. [7]

Recent News:

Photo Courtesy of Global Football Today

Photo Courtesy of Global Football Today [8]

Univision Deportes Leads the Pack in the 2013 Third Quarter

Univision Deportes Network (UDN) is a 24-hour Spanish-language sports network dedicated to providing the Hispanic community with the most sports on a daily basis.UDN was launched in April 2012 and it’s owned by Univision Communications Inc. In the third quarter of 2013 UDN outperformed ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes, making UDN the number one Spanish-language sports network nationwide. UDN also announced that Nielsen will now be able to publicly report ratings for the sports Network. [9]

Primetime viewing audiences for the 2013 third quarter [9]:
Univision Deportes Network 52,000 Adults 18-49; 83,000 P2+
FOX Deportes 31,000 Adults 18-49; 55,000 P2+
ESPN Deportes 31,000 Adults 18-49; 54,000 P2+

These numbers insinuate that Univision Deportes Network is the fastest growing Spanish-language sports channel on the air. Since the recent Time Warner agreement, UD currently reaches 35 million households .

The UDN surpasses all the other Spanish-language sports networks in various aspects. In the 2013 third quarter, Univision’s sports network broadcast more live sporting events than it’s Spanish-language competitors. It reportedly aired 176 live events, which is more than both ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes.

UDN also had a very strong third quarter in the social media department. Since July, Univision Deportes Facebook page has been engaged by fans about 4 times as much as Fox Deportes page and 8 times as much of ESPN Deportes. Meanwhile during the Gold Cup game, Univision Deportes received more social media activity and engagement than Fox Soccer. Throughout the tournament, UDN had about a 25% larger audience on Twitter per match than Fox Soccer. It also had a 30% average Twitter activity per match than Fox Soccer. [9]

Courtesy of Ignites Social Web

Courtesy of Ignites Social Web [10]

Univision Deportes App for Xbox One

In early November 2013, Univision Communications Inc. announced the launch of the Univision Deportes app for Xbox One, which will make it’s debut on November 22, 2013. This app will be the first Spanish-language sports app launched on Xbox One in the country. [11]

The Univision Deportes app will give fans a rare soccer experience by providing them with live streaming and VOD content of Liga MX, the Mexican National Teams and the 2014 World Cup, which are all considered to be some of the most popular sports properties worldwide. [11]. The app will also give sports fans 24/7 worldwide soccer coverage, which includes sports news updates, real-time scores and stats, videos and photographs of all the important soccer tournaments and leagues around the world.

Photo Courtesy of Brands of the World

Photo Courtesy of Brands of the World [12]

HSN Partners Up With Univision to Create an Online Boutique

HSN, the home shopping network, has partnered up with Univision Communications to reach a large amount of the hispanic market. The three-year partnership includes the development of a new shopping portal called Boutique Univision on Univision.com.

Boutique Univision offers electronics, fashion beauty, home decor and cookware products. The shopping portal will also include popular brands such as Vince Camuto, Samsung, Apple, Curtis Stone and Lancôme. These products and brands have been specifically selected for Hispanic costumers.[13]

Promotions for the online boutique began last Thursday (Nov. 14), with popular HSN host Lesley Ann Machado as a special guest on Univision’s morning show “Despierta América.” During the show, Machado and original host Maggie Jiménez announced the creation of Boutique Univision.

HSN has also been promoting the new portal on its network. HSN featured live feed of the announcement during a segment that included chef Lorena Garcia. Jiménez was a guest on the HSN show “Beauty Report” and discussed the fashion and beauty products available on Boutique Univision.

HSN decided to partner up with Univision due to the company’s ability to reach a large number of the Hispanic demographic. The chief marketing and business development officer at HSN Inc., Bill Brand noted “We are able to reach this Hispanic consumer through the most trusted brand in their community, and that’s Univision. That’s an unprecedented opportunity for us.”[13]

Photo courtesy of Famous Logos website

Photo courtesy of Famous Logos website [14]

Univision & Toyota Announced Trans-media Partnership

Earlier this month, Univision Communications Inc. and Toyota announced a trans-media partnership that integrates Toyota automobiles into Televisa’s brand new telenovela “Lo Que La Vida Me Robo.” Part of the partnership includes, Toyota as the main sponsor of this new telenovela, which first aired November 18, 2013. Through this partnership Toyota will be able to reach and influence an entirely new demographic across all media platforms. The two companies have combined various media platforms such as television, digital and social media in order to provide consumers with an immersive multi-platform experience and also to introduce exclusive and interactive opportunities. [15]

Throughout the broadcast of “Lo Que La Vida Me Robo” fans have access to the main characters of the telenovela through a digital correspondence feature, which allows them to become active participants in every new plot twist [15]. Additional content related to the telenovela is also made available to fans. Another way for fans to gain access to exclusive content is through Univision apps but only users who opt to sync up with the Toyota experience will gain access.

Sources:

[1] Univision Logo From Univision.com
[2] The Univision Story
[3] Randy Falco Photograph From Univision Corporate
[4] About Randy Falco
[5] Andrew Hobson Photograph From Univision Corporate
[6] About Andrew Hobson
[7] Bloomberg Financials on Univision Communications Inc. Third Quarter 2013
[8] Univision Deportes Network Photograph From Global Football Today
[9] Univision Deportes Leads the Pack in the 2013 Third Quarter From Univision Corporate
[10] Xbox One Logo From Ignites Social Web
[11] Univision Deportes App for Xbox One From Univision Corporate
[12] HSN Logo From Brands Of The World
[13] HSN Partners Up With Univision to Create Online Boutique From The New York Times
[14] Toyota Logo From Famous Logos Website
[15] Univision & Toyota Announce Transmedia Partnership From Univision Corporate

Univision

Gallery

This gallery contains 30 photos.

by Isaac Garcia History: Working as a Spanish-language television network, Univision was founded in 1955 by Raul Cortex. KCOR-TV, which was started in San Antonio, Texas, has turned into the largest audience of Spanish-language television viewers according to Nielsen ratings. … Continue reading