One year ago, the future of popular reality TV series Larrymania and its star, Larry Hernandez, were in question.

On Sept. 25, 2015, Hernandez — a regional Mexican music star known for narco-corridos, songs that glamorize the Mexican drug lords — was prevented from boarding a Southwest Airlines flight from Ontario, Calif., to Denver by airport police who received a warrant for his arrest.  The warrant, issued in South Carolina, accused Hernandez of kidnapping, assault, and assault and battery causing injury.

That put Larrymania into best-of mode and sent NBC Universo execs into a mini crisis-mode.

Today, Larrymania is two episodes into its fifth season. Viewers have enjoyed catching up on the launch of a new beauty line from Hernandez’s fiancée, Kenia. They’ve also seen Larry enjoy a day off with the guys that takes an unexpected competitive turn.

Thus, all is well — for now — with Larrymania, which returned to the 9 p.m. Eastern time slot on the NBCUniversal pay-TV network on Nov. 27.

The reality show is arguably one of the most-watched programs on NBC Universo and is one of the few holdover programs from the network’s previous incarnation, mun2. That’s why media reports of what Hernandez was accused of were so concerning to network executives.

In late October 2015, it became known that Hernandez was charged with wrapping a man in plastic sheeting; forcing him into his hotel room with “several associates of Hernandez”; and beating him when Hernandez wasn’t paid in full for an August performance in the small agricultural town of Newbury, S.C., where many first-generation Mexican and Central American immigrants have settled.

At first, NBC Universo VP/Communications Peter Dobrow declined to comment on future plans for the series.

By February 2016, it became clear that Hernandez’s legal troubles would not be immediately resolved. With Hernandez out on bail, the network green-lighted a fifth season of Larrymania.

Alluding to his troubles, Hernandez said, “This new season of Larrymania will no doubt be very special because many different things have happened in my life. This is a new chapter of my life I want to share with my fans.”

There has been little discussion of Hernandez’s legal situation since February, when it was believed all charged would be dropped over suspicions the star was framed by another individual.

One thing is clear: The only thing Hernandez needs to worry about at the moment is Larrymania’s performance in the Nielsen ratings.

Larrymania will reign once more on NBC Universo this summer — just three months after what could have been a potentially career-ending situation for star Larry Hernandez.

NBC Universo has renewed the reality series starring regional Mexican music star Hernandez, whom the network calls an “unstoppable artist with no filter,” for a fifth season. The show and the singer’s career were threatened last November, when Hernandez was arrested on an outstanding warrant on kidnapping and assault charges at an airport in Ontario, Calif., and extradited to South Carolina.

Larrymania , the No. 1 Hispanic cable-television program among viewers ages 18-49, was one of the few series to survive last February’s conversion of youth-focused cable network mun2 into general-entertainment service NBC Universo.

Alluding to his troubles, Hernandez said, “This new season of Larrymania will no doubt be very special because many different things have happened in my life. This is a new chapter of my life I want to share with my fans.”

Production on the latest season of Larrymania began Jan. 23, with the filming of a concert at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theatre.

As a musician, Hernandez has become one of Latin music’s top regional Mexican artists, fueled by controversial “narco corridos” featuring lyrics and themes tied to Mexico’s drug-trafficking subculture. His career was put on pause Sept. 25, when Hernandez was prevented from boarding a Southwest Airlines flight from Ontario, Calif. to Denver by airport police.

He was arrested on an outstanding warrant from South Carolina, where he was charged with kidnapping, assault and assault and battery from an alleged August incident in that state.

“Larry remains authentic as ever to his fans,” Larrymania executive prodcucer Gloria Medel Solomons said in a statement. “Their love and support got him through some tough times this past year, and I'm excited that we will be giving fans a much-anticipated season in which they will continue to get an unfiltered look into Larry's life on- and off-stage, with a few surprises along the way.”

Put in a difficult spot, NBC Universo ultimately opted to support Hernandez — and to not put a top-rated series and its sponsors in a quandary. Reruns of the series and special compilation shows aired from Nov. 5 through Dec. 3 as Hernandez prepared his defense.

As of Jan. 29, Hernandez’s case had been pushed back, due in part to evidence from two video’s broadcast on Telemundo’s Al Rojo Vivo news program in late December. In one video, Hernandez and alleged victim Jose Andrade are seen walking into a hotel together on the alleged night of the assault. Footage shows Andrade exiting the hotel alone with no visible bruises.

Andrade had claimed that Hernandez had held him against his will in the hotel, wrapping him in plastic and beating him following a dispute over payment for a concert in Newbury, S.C.

A second video believed to have been shot inside the hotel room, though, includes the voice of a man believed to be Hernandez saying he will beat up Andrade and another concert promoter, Roberto Gomez.

At press time, Hernandez’s legal team was working to shore up additional evidence they believe will clear the star of all charges.

The arrest of Larrymania star Larry Hernandez has put the NBCUniverso series, one of Spanish-language television’s most successful unscripted programs, into best-of mode.

On Sept. 25, the regional Mexican music star was prevented from boarding a Southwest Airlines flight from Ontario, Calif. to Denver by airport police who received a warrant for his arrest. The warrant, issued in South Carolina, accused Hernandez of kidnapping, assault, and assault and battery causing injury.

Hernandez is one of Latin music’s top regional Mexican artists, fueled by his controversial “narco corridos” featuring lyrics and themes tied to Mexico’s drug-trafficking subculture. Larrymania — billed as an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the star’s life — recently started its fifth season on NBCUniverso, with tales of a surprise trip to Hawaii, following a romantic trip to Paris for Hernandez and his now-fiancée, Kenia.

Larrymania is the No. 1 Hispanic cable-TV program among viewers age 18-49 and one of Spanish-language television’s most successful unscripted programs. It wrapped up its third season in August of 2014 with an average audience of 117,000 18-to-49-year-olds tuning in each Sunday at 9 p.m.

In fact, Larrymania’s popularity helped it outlive the network it launched on  — the youth-targeted mun2 — which was rebranded into the general-interest NBC Universo in February of 2015.

By late October, media reports offered further details of what Hernandez is being charged with: Wrapping a man in plastic sheeting; forcing him into his hotel room with “several associates of Hernandez”; and beating him when Hernandez wasn’t paid in full for an August performance in the small agricultural town of Newbury, S.C. Some 9.5% of Newbury’s 10,600 residents are Hispanic.

At first, NBC Universo’s communications team, which had relentlessly promoted every episode of Larrymania with weekly press updates in both English and Spanish, declined comment on Hernandez’s legal situation. When contacted in mid-October by Hispanic Television Update, NBC Universo VP of communications Peter Dobrow said: “NBC Universo continues to air reruns of the series. However at this time we are not commenting on future plans for the series.”

On Nov. 3, NBC Universo affirmed its decision to stick with best-of episodes, noting in a statement that it would air “special programming” each Thursday from 9 to 11 p.m. featuring “many unforgettable moments from the hit reality series’ last four seasons.”

The specials began airing on Nov. 5 and will run through Dec. 3. The programming is in response to “loyal fans that have demonstrated support for their idol,” the network said.

The announcement from NBC Universo came just days after Hernandez broke his silence on YouTube, the media platform that first brought him notoriety. Freed on a $200,000 bond some three weeks after his arrest, Hernandez appeared to be back in his Southern California home.

In the video, Hernandez said: “It’s not, as some in very bad faith have said, because I’m looking to sell an exclusive interview. My interest at no time is one of economic gain for an interest that narrates or reviews what has been a nightmare for me.”

Up next for Hernandez: A Dec. 31 court date to discuss probable cause.

NBC Universo has offered no visibility past Dec. 3 on what it intends to do with Larrymania. But new episodes could be back on the air sooner rather than later, thanks to a new twist in South Carolina.

José Andrade, the alleged victim in the case, was arrested in early November amid accusations of fraud tied to financial loans. While this case is unrelated to that of Hernandez, Andrade’s legal difficulties could greatly hinder the case against Larrymania’s star.

Meanwhile, Hernandez is back in action as a performer: He officially returned to the stage Nov. 13 in Dallas, following a Nov. 5 appearance on Estrella TV’s Premios de La Radio awards show. There, Hernandez was nominated for Best Performer of the Year and as the hottest social-media star of 2015.

NBC Universo tranforms from mun2 at 1 a.m. on Feb. 1, with the Spanish-language network serving up a diverse slate on its opening day, highlighted by its presentation of Super Bowl XLIX.

The 40-million subscriber network, which has reached an affiliate accord for DirecTV to become the first distributor to carry it in the high-definition format, dawns its new era with Bienvenidos a NBC Universo, a half-hour special that gives viewers a taste of what’s on the air and what will come down the road. The program will encore after the conclusion of the NFL championship game, as NBC Universo becomes the second Spanish-language cable outlet to televise a Super Bowl, following Fox Deportes' presentation last year.

Following the post-game airing of Bienvenidos a NBC Universo, the network, bolstered by a freeview expanding its reach to 74 million homes on Sunday, will air a special preview of its first new acquired series of the re-launched network. Crónica de Castas is nine-episode fictional drama series filmed in the small, impoverished neighborhood of Tepito in Mexico City. The series follows the lives of polarizing characters whose stories revolve around the local Hotel Galicia, where nothing is as it seems. This marks the pay TV debut of the series in the U.S., which is slated to run in full later this winter.

The coming out party for the network features a host of Super Bowl-related programming, and a couple of hours of Larrymania, the network’s venue for Larry Hernandez. The multi-award-winning artist will bring a fourth season to the network of his show in which he attempts to balance his lift as father, son, partner and high-profile celebrity.

Underlining the network’s enhanced emphasis on sports, which will see it carry FIFA World Cup, Olympics, NASCAR and other action, NBC Universo will showcase the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at 8:25 a.m. (Check out the day’s full schedule below.)

In line with its mission to bring Latinos must-see live events and continuing its delivery of hot music offerings, NBC Universo will present “Festival Viña del Mar” – a top music festival in Latin America, featuring some of the most-renowned artists in the world. Live from Chile, the event begins on Feb. 22, streaming online at nbcuniverso.com. Details regarding its TV telecast will be announced at a later date.

“We’ve promised Latinos high-quality programming, masterful storytelling and the best sports presented in culturally relevant ways,” said Rubén Mendiola, president, NBC Universo. “Our new programming is just the first step in delivering on this promise to our Latino viewers, as well as building a rich platform for distributors and advertisers to reach an important portion of the population with growing influence.”

NBC Universo Feb. 1 Lineup

1:00am – Bienvenidos a NBC UNIVERSO

1:30am – Operacion Repo

2:00am – Sabor Al Super Bowl

3:00am – Fugitivos De La Ley

4:00am – Fugitivos De La Ley

5:00am – Fugitivos De La Ley

6:00am – Larrymania

7:00am – Larrymania

8:00am – Universo: Amanecer

8:25am – Premier League – Arsenal vs Aston Vila

10:30am – Universo: NOW

11:00am- WWE RAW

2:00pm – Sabor Al Super Bowl

3:00pm – Estrellas Del Medio Tiempo

4:00pm – Road To The Super Bowl

5:00pm – La NFL en NBC UNIVERSO: Super Bowl XLIX Pre Game

6:00pm – La NFL en NBC UNIVERSO : Super Bowl XLIX

10:15pm – La NFL en NBC UNIVERSO: Super Bowl XLIX Post Game

10:30pm – Bienvenidos a NBC UNIVERSO

11:00pm – Crónica De Castas