Noticias Univision, the news unit of TelevisaUnivision, announced that it and long-time anchor Jorge Ramos have mutually agreed not to renew their contract, which will expire shortly.

Ramos will step down from his role as co-anchor of Noticiero Univision at the end of 2024, following the U.S. presidential election.

Ramos has been with the network for 40 years, 38 of them as co-anchor of Noticiero Univision, the most-watched Spanish-language newscast in the U.S.

“This is not a farewell,“ Ramos said. ”I will continue anchoring Noticiero Univision until December, and afterwards I will share my professional plans. I am deeply grateful for these four decades at Univision and very proud to be part of a team that has established strong leadership over the years.“

Univision News president Daniel Coronell said: “I want to express my respect and gratitude for Jorge Ramos and all he has done for Univision and the growing community we serve each and every day. As we look to 2025 and beyond, our talented team is well equipped to continue the tradition of journalistic excellence that has defined Noticiero Univision since the beginning.”

Family Broadcasting Corp. said that its WHMB Indianapolis and WHME South Bend, Indiana, have become Univision affiliates, airing Spanish-language programming on their primary signals.

Univision hadn’t had affiliates in Indiana. 

Family Broadcasting said it named Susan Buterbaugh as general manager of WHMB. She had been a sales manager at the company.

“This affiliation is an excellent addition to our portfolio of family-friendly networks and stations, and we’re very excited about this partnership and expanding our reach to new audiences,” Family Broadcasting CEO Drew Sumrall said.

Family Broadcasting had operated WHMB and WHME as independent stations.

“Univision brings news, entertainment, sports and culture to our community, with new opportunities for our partners,” Buterbaugh said. “I am honored to lead WHMB TV-40 into this new chapterIn addition to operating stations, Family Broadcasting runs cable networks Family Entertainment Television and Family Movie Classics.”

Charter Communications is now bundling at no additional cost the new partially ad-supported version of Spanish-language subscription streaming service ViX for customers who take Univision linear channels as part of their Spectrum TV Select or Mi Plan Latino programming package. 

The arrangement is part of a multiyear carriage deal signed between Charter and TelevisaUnivision.

Also read: TelevisaUnivision, Charter Reach Carriage Deal That Includes Ad-Supported ViX as Part of Bundle

As it did with Disney back in September, Charter is looking to claw back value from programmers who are committing some of their best assets to subscription streaming. With Disney, Charter was able to negotiate wholesale access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus so it could bundle these streaming services for its video subscribers. 

Through ViX’s ad-supported premium tier, subscribers can stream the service’s full original content slate, including the latest series Lalola, El Extraño Retorno de Diana Salazar, El Gallo de Oro and De Viaje con los Derbez; hit movies Es por su bien, Radical and ¿Quieres ser mi hijo?; and the most anticipated new releases coming this summer and fall, including Chiquis Sin Filtro and Y Llegaron de Noche. ViX subscribers will also have access to the best soccer content all year long, including Liga MX, the most-watched soccer league in the U.S., and UEFA Champions League, one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world.

“By working with our programming partners to include streaming apps like ViX in our video packages at no extra cost, we continue to evolve our new video paradigm with extraordinary additional value for customers,” Tom Montemagno, executive VP of programming acquisition for Charter, said in a statement.

“With our new ViX offering living alongside TelevisaUnivision’s full linear channel lineup, Spectrum customers have access to an unprecedented amount of Spanish-language content across all genres,” added Mike Angus, executive VP of global distribution partnerships at TelevisaUnivision.

TelevisaUnivision reported a $52 million loss in the first quarter, up from $3 million a year ago, as the Spanish-language giant invested in its ViX streaming service and its third-party ad-sales business in Mexico.

Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization was $328.5 million, down 9%. Excluding a bad debt reversal from a year ago, operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) would have been down 5%, the company said.

CEO Wade Davis said the company’s direct-to-consumer businesses, including ViX, is on track to turn profitable “in a few short months” and contribute to earnings in the second half of the year. 

The company is planning to launch an ad-supported version of its premium ViX tier.

Revenue rose 7% to $1.1 billion, with growth coming from the company’s direct-to-consumer business globally and its linear networks in Mexico.

In the U.S. advertising revenue edged up to $399.4 million, with growth in streaming offsetting linear weakness. Subscription and licensing revenue was flat at $326.5 million.

“2024 started strong with great revenue growth and continued progress across our most important strategic initiatives,“ Davis said. “Our DTC business is performing extremely well and is on track to be profitable in a few short months.

“The U.S. and Mexico corridor, which is at the center of our massive global opportunity, continues to show remarkable strength with our Mexico business posting an exceptionally strong quarter, led by the advertising business,” he said. “Although we are only one quarter into the year, 2024 is shaping up to be a historic year for us as our audience is likely to be the deciding factor in the upcoming U.S. elections and we expect that to drive commensurate political ad revenue.” 

The company also said it refinanced $340 million of its debt, which means none of its debt will mature until 2026.

Jenny Padura has been promoted to co-anchor on the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts at WLTV Miami, known as Univision 23. She starts April 25 and will anchor with Ambrosio Hernandez. 

Padura started at WLTV as an intern and became a general assignment reporter in 2007. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Jenny Padura as the newest member of our esteemed anchor team,” Yolanda Zugasti, VP of news at Univision 23, said. “Jenny’s unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and her deep connection to the local community make her an invaluable addition to our broadcast. We look forward to the dynamic energy and insightful perspective she will bring to our evening newscasts.”

Padura was born in Cuba and arrived in the U.S. at age 13. She graduated from Florida International University in 2007. 

The station said Padura “has distinguished herself through her commitment to delivering unbiased, informative and impactful news coverage” as she covered presidential conventions, local politics, Cuba, crime, hurricanes, and breaking news such as the Parkland school shooting and the Surfside building collapse. 

“This new chapter in my career couldn't have come at a better time,” Padura said. “I feel I have the professional maturity and wisdom to face this new challenge. My commitment to the community is even stronger. I feel fortunate and blessed by the love and support that the viewers have given me over the last 17 years.”

Univision said that it has signed more than 15 brands as official sponsor of the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards show airing Thursday.

The Latin Grammy group includes first-time TelevisaUnivision sponsors Ally Financial, Lionsgate, Shark Beauty and Ulta Beauty. 

Other sponsors include Andalucía, Bulova, El Corte Inglés, Frontera, Fundador, Iberia, Infiniti, Iryo, Lanjarón, Mastercard, Sevilla, Uber, Viñas Familia Gil, Walmart and YSL.

“We are so excited to welcome this year’s sponsors to the Latin Grammys, bringing engaging, exciting and unique activations to our audience,” John Kozack, executive VP of multimedia sales at TelevisaUnivision, said. “With Latin music holding the attention of millions around the world, what better stage than The Biggest Night in Latin Music for our partners to build meaningful and impactful connections with the Hispanic community.”

For the event, TelevisaUnivision's digital and social activations are up 17%, according to a source familiar with the situation.

New sponsor Ally Financial will be presenting a three-part series showcasing rising Latinos in the music industry.

Lionsgate, another new sponsor, will be promoting its new film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The film’s theme song, “The Hanging Tree,” is sung by Mariangela, who will be shown getting ready for the awards, wearing a Hunger Games-inspired dress for the Latin Grammys.

Shark Beauty joins the Latin Grammys as an official digital sponsor and gifting lounge partner. Shark Beauty will have a Hair Glam Station at the Latin Grammys Gifting Lounge where guests will have their hair professionally styled using the Shark FlexStyle and receive one as a gift. Shark will show Karla de La Torre's journey to Get Ready, with the help of Shark FlexStyle and the all-new Shark SmoothStyle. 

Ulta Beauty is an official digital sponsor and plans to connect with social fans by showcasing celeb-worthy beauty tricks and tips inspired by trends as seen exclusively on the Latin Grammy red carpet.

“The response from marketers to this year’s historic Latin Grammy’s has been phenomenal. We are thrilled to partner with leading and emblematic brands to celebrate the biggest week and The Biggest Night in Latin Music,“ Enrique Perez, head of partnerships and client solutions at The Latin Recording Academy, said. “It’s exciting to see how all of our partners are activating their Latin Grammy sponsorship in innovative ways to connect with consumers and Latin music fans in Spain, the U.S. and Latin America.”

The Latin Grammy Awards will air on Univision, UniMás and Galavisión on November 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

While most of the linear television world is losing viewers, Spanish-language TV audiences continue to grow.

According to a new report from iSpot.tv, Spanish-language household TV ad impressions rose more than 27% to 181.1 billion in the first half of 2023, compared to a year ago.

Impressions were up 33.3% to 9.61 billion in the second quarter alone.

In the third quarter through August 31, Spanish-language households racked up 66.7 billion impressions. In Q3 2022, there were 79.4 billion impressions in Spanish-language households.

Spanish-language leader Univision grew its impressions by 31% in 2023 through August 31. Morning show ¡Despierta América! accounted for 12% of the network’s impressions.

Univision’s daytime TV ad impressions rose 21.4% year to date through August 31.

Telemundo’s impressions were up 29%.

Univision had a 47.1% share of impressions in Spanish-language homes in the first half, followed by Telemundo with 26.16%, Unimax with 14%, Galavision with 2.62% and TUDN with 2.61%. Others registered a 7.52% share.

A year ago, Univision had a 47.1% share, Telemundo had 26.2%, UniMás had 13.9%, TUDN and Galavisión each had a 2.6% share.

Burger King was the biggest advertiser in Spanish-language television, with a 1.4% share of impressions, according to iSpot. Burger King’s impressions were up 279% from a year ago.

Sonic was No. 2, part of a 43% increase in impressions among quick-serve restaurant chains. QSRs accounted for 9.16% of Spanish-language TV impressions.

Sonic’s impressions were up 94%, Wendy’s were up 42% and McDonald’s rose 24%.

The beer industry registered a 47% increase in Spanish-language impressions.

Mexican brew Modelo increased its impressions 146% from a year ago.and Spanish-language commercials accounted for 29% of Modelo’s TV impressions. For Michelob Ultra, Spanish-language TV accounted for 31.8% of TV ad impressions.

After Burger King and Sonic, the top Spanish-language advertisers were Walmart, Verizon, Modelo, Wendy’s, Target, Domino’s, Walgreens and McDonald’s.

CBS’s coverage of a PGA Tour golf tournament topped the sports ratings chart for a second straight week as NFL pre-season games dominated the top 10 most watched sports events last week.

CBS’s August 20 PGA FedExCup BMW Championship tournament averaged 3.03 million viewers, topping USA Network’s August 20 coverage of the NASCAR Cup at Watkins Glen auto race, which averaged 2.31 million viewers, according to Nielsen numbers published by SportsMedia Watch.  CBS’s August 19 coverage of the PGA tournament finished fourth for the week with 2.00 million viewers, while USA Network's NASCAR Cup Series' pre-show finished sixth for the week.   

NFL Network placed four of its pre-season games in the top 10, including the August 20 New Orleans Saints-Los Angeles Chargers games, which drew 2.01 million viewers for third place.

Fox’s August 20 Spain-England Women’s World Cup final telecast scored a fifth-place finish with 1.81 million viewers. The game was the most watched non-USWNT, English-language Women’s World Cup Final in history. Overall, Fox and FS1 averaged 669,000 viewers for the 64-game tournament, down 60% from 2019, according to Sports Media Watch. 

Univision’s August 19 coverage of the Leagues Cup finals soccer match between Inter Miami and Nashville -- featuring soccer great Lionel Messi -- finished 10th for the week with 1.45 million viewers. 

The 21st Annual Hispanic Television Summit, programmed by Schramm Marketing Group during NYC TV Week, will feature two distinct one-on-one keynote interviews by two of today’s leading executives in Hispanic television. 

The morning keynote interview features Beau Ferrari, chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, parent of the Telemundo network. The summit’s afternoon will open with a keynote conversation with Ignacio “Nacho” Meyer, president of U.S. networks at TelevisaUnivision, which includes Univision and UniMás.  

The summit is the premier event for those in the business of television for Hispanic audiences worldwide. It takes place Wednesday, September 13, at etc.venues, 360 Madison Ave. in New York. The summit explores ways that global and local distribution of culturally accurate television programming is engaging Hispanic viewers and advertisers across platforms — from streaming to broadcast to traditional pay television (satellite and cable). 

The morning sessions focus on revenue from advertising and subscription. The series of morning panels and fireside chats opens with a state of the Hispanic media market by the new chair of the Hispanic Marketing Council, Isabella Sanchez, VP of media integration at Zubi Advertising Services. 

The morning continues with a panel discussion among leading media buyers from some of the Hispanic market’s highest-spending agencies, including Horizon Media, d’exposito partners and Omnicom Media’s Elevate. This is followed by a fireside chat with an executive from a leading consumer brand (T-Mobile) about the cultural narrative in their brand’s ad creative, and another fireside chat with Comcast Cable multicultural marketing leaders and their brand’s agency. The morning closes with the chairman’s keynote interview with NBCU Telemundo Enterprises’s Ferrari, delving into the economic power of the Hispanic TV audience. 

The midday program celebrates the accomplishments of the pioneers and leaders in the business of Hispanic TV with the presentation of the Annual Hispanic Television Awards ceremony. 

Afternoon sessions focus on the business of programming for Hispanic TV audiences. Session topics cover program origination, content acquisition, viewer demand and distribution on linear and streaming platforms.

The afternoon opens with the keynote by Meyer of TelevisaUnivision. An experienced programmer, Meyer’s keynote focuses on original content, and he shares personal stories about creating some of Hispanic TV’s most iconic events.  The balance of the afternoon’s sessions includes another keynote conversation about a sports carriage agreement that has set the new direction for future distribution deals, plus findings from a recent viewer study and related topics like content development, program acquisition, shared resources at local broadcast stations and local and worldwide distribution partnerships for cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. 

Hispanic consumers are a primary focus of the morning’s program, including the conversation with Telemundo’s Ferrari, underscoring the powerful impact of the growing Hispanic consumer base. 

Incorporating Hispanic culture in television is another key message, seen in back-to-back morning marketing sessions concerning brand advertising and cable-subscription acquisition and retention.

The afternoon sessions are about programming culturally relevant content and connecting that content to consumers, starting with Televisa Univision’s Meyer’s keynote. The afternoon also includes sessions about sports-carriage deals, findings from recent viewer research, shared programming resources at local broadcast station groups and a key session featuring a steaming-platform executive plus an actor/showrunner and the producer. The closing session for the afternoon focuses specifically on distributing content on broadcast, cable, satellite and streaming in order to connect this content directly with the consumer.

TelevisaUnivision has completed its upfront negotiations, seeing gains in pricing and volume in a challenging advertising market, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Volume growth was in the high-single digits and linear prices on a cost-per-thousand viewers (CPM) basis rose, closing the gap between Univision and the English-language broadcasters.

CEO Wade Davis talked about the strength of TelevisaUnivision’s upfront on the company’s earnings call earlier this month.

TelevisaUnivision’s streaming service ViX had record demand and volume, with about 80% of the advertisers who bought ads on the company’s linear networks also buying ViX to get incremental reach.

Also Read: Upfronts: TelevisaUnivision Wants Advertisers to ‘Grow With Us’

Demand for sports was also strong. The company will be televising the upcoming Copa America tournament in soccer and the NFL’s Super Bowl LVIII, which generated the highest ad prices in Univision’s history.

Special live events including the Latin Grammys were also in demand for advertisers.

Fox Sports and ESPN’s coverage of Major League Baseball All-Star festivities generated a ratings home run among last week’s live sports telecasts.  

Fox’s July 11 All-Star Game broadcast drew 7 million viewers to top all sports events for the week, according to Nielsen numbers published by SportsMedia Watch. The contest, won by the National League for its first victory over the American League since 2012, was the least-watched baseball All-Star game, dropping 7% from the previous low set last year. The game, however, still remains the most-watched All-Star Game among the major sports, according to SportsMedia Watch.

ESPN’s July 10 Home Run Derby telecast was the second-most watched live sports event last week with 5.52 million, but the number was down from last year’s 6.8 million viewers, and was the lowest since the 2018 event, according to Sports Business Journal. 

The conclusion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament placed several telecasts among the top 10 most watched events, including Univision’s coverage of the July 16 Mexico-Panama tournament final, which drew 4.32 million viewers. 

ESPN's July 16 telecast of the Wimbledon men's finals between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic finished fourth for the week with 3.19 million viewers, which was the biggest audience for the event since 2019. 

Also, ABC's July 15 WNBA All-Star Game drew 850,000 viewers, making it the league’s most-watched All-Star game in 16 years, according to ESPN. 

TelevisaUnivision said its Premios Juventud youth awards show is especially hot this year with advertisers.

Ad revenue for the show is up 24% and Coca-Cola, which has been a sponsor for seven consecutive years, has stepped up to become the presenting sponsor. Coca-Cola will also be promoting its Sprite brand on the show for the first time this year.

Premios Juventud is marking its 20th anniversary this year and will be broadcast live on Univision July 20 from Puerto Rico. Fans will also be able to stream the Premios Juventud preshow Noche De Estrellas on ViX.

White Claw has signed up as a sponsor for the first time, as has Expedia, which becomes the show’s first sponsor in the travel category and Boost Mobile.

They join returning sponsors including M&M's and Modelez’s Oreo brand. 

Most of the sponsors will participate in the show in a number of ways, including branded content, in-show integrations, on-the-ground activations and social media extensions.

Several studios are also advertising on the show, looking to promote summer films to young bilingual Latinos.

“Latin music is huge,” Luis De La Parra, senior VP of partner solutions at Univision told Broadcasting+Cable, said. Premios Juventud gives sponsors a chance to reach younger Latino consumers through music, but also by highlighting causes and  communities. “Those things are super relevant for brands that want to engage with younger consumers,” he said.

At a time when linear TV is losing viewers and the ad market is weak, Univision has been growing and live events remain attractive to advertisers.

De La Parra said that the biggest jump in revenue around Premios Juventud is coming from social media, which is up 200%. “People will be watching live and the engagement that brands can generate with social is critical,” he said. “We had to up the content we create so consumers can connect with the artists and their causes” and sponsors see a huge spike when a memorable musical moment occurs and gets shared on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

Sponsors are also looking to extend their association with Univision and Premios Juventud over the rest of the summer, by airing ads on the network and continuing to run the branded content on Univision’s and their own sites. 

“This show is not just the one moment for live music.” De La Parra said. “Brands really are understanding how to leverage music through the lens of a big moment, but really building that momentum throughout the entire summer.”

For the third-consecutive year, Coca-Cola will be sponsoring the PJ Backlot, which serves as  a second stage musical performances and a place  for performers to create social content.  This year, the Backlot is outdoors, by the ocean.

At the PJ Backlot, attendees can have interactive experiences including sampling products, sampling authentic Latin foods and meet and greets with talent.

Coke is working with Camilo to capture content at the various Backlot activations. Camilo will also honor the Coca-Cola Agent of Change from the Backlot. Recording artist Camila Cabello will get the Agent of Change award for her commitment to the betterment  of youth around the world.

For Coke’s Sprite brand, Univision went to New York’s Washington Heights to shoot a story about the history of hip hop and how it influenced the Latin music that will appear during the award show.

Boost Mobile will be the exclusive behind-the-scenes partner for the broadcast, providing fans with footage from rehearsals and the red carpet. Boost Mobile will also  provide a “fan cam” to capture reactions during Red Carpet arrivals. One fan will be picked to be Boost-ed and get to walk the Red Carpet and receive a Celero device.

As a first-time sponsor of Premios Juventud, Expedia will introduce One Key, its new travel rewards program, through a custom social series.  Content creators will take a friends trip to explore Puerto Rico as they get ready for the hottest event of the summer.

Univision is moving its award shows to more exotic locations, with Premios Juventud in Puerto Rico and the upcoming Latin Grammys in Spain. That is not only attractive to travel advertisers, but makes the show feel bigger, De La Parra said  “Our music comes from all over.”

White Claw is another first time sponsor and will be presenting recaps of the best performances, interview and must-see moments across Premios Juventud and Univision social handles..

In its seventh year as a sponsor, M&M's will work with content creators to produce a track that will be played in a broadcast vignette and on social media platforms.

Oreos will work with TelevisaUnivion’s Migbelis Castellanos to create custom content from different locations in Puerto Rico to promote the big night leading up to the show. It will be involved in Red Carpet activities including a photobooth and co-branded cart offering custom Oreo-Premios Juventud branded cookies. 

During the show, Oreo is working with TelevisaUnivision’s Alejandra Espinoza on a Hora Loca party live from the fan pit. Hora Loca will include foam light-up batons for fans, mirror-covered dancers, LED robots and lit-up servers carrying cookies. 

Premios Juventud will be hosted by Dayanara Torres, Marcus Orellas, Ángela Aguilar and Alejandra Espinoza.

The show will feature performances by Camilo, Carin León, Ha*Ash, Toño Rosario, Los Hermanos Rosario, Pavel Nuñez, Fernando Villalona, Ilegales, Jandy Ventura, Danna Paola, Eslabon Armado, Farruko, Sofia Reyes and Denise Rosenthal.

“This is the best promoted show I’ve ever seen on social media. I think our team did a terrific job leveraging all the different channels, from TikTok to Instagram and Facebook in a way that is very unique,“ De La Parra said. 

As presenting sponsor, Coca-Cola is very involved in promos for the show. “Coca-Cola really stepped up big time this year,“ Parra said. “They got into every single corner of the show and they are leveraging every aspect of the show. They’re doing a really good job.” 

TelevisaUnivision had its upfront presentation at Pier 36 in Manhattan May 16, where the speakers included host Alejandra Espinoza, Donna Speciale, president of U.S. advertising sales and marketing, Vix CEO Pierluigi Gazzolo and Ignacio Meyer, president of U.S. networks. 

“I am one woman sharing my voice with the 62 million viewers” the TelevisaUnivision networks serve, Espinoza said. She introduced Speciale, who noted the “endless points of connection, by Hispanics, for Hispanics,” that TelevisaUnivision represents. 

“Today, we are the leader in entertaining the Spanish-speaking world — a powerhouse portfolio of media brands and capabilities with no equal,” she added. 

Meyer said TelevisaUnivision has been considered a sleeping giant. “Guess what —we’re awake,” he said. “Our portfolio has never been as robust and as dynamic as it is today.”

Angelique Boyer and Sebastian Rulli star in El Extrano Retorno De Diana Salazar, coming to streaming Vix in 2024. An adaptation of a telenovela, it is about two soulmates trapped in the threshold between life and death over several centuries. 

Circo Gomez, about a dysfunctional family that runs a traveling circus, is in development for Vix. Eugenio Derbez is behind the series. 

Unscripted shows include Mira Quien Baila, De Noche Pero Sin Sueno and Hotel VIP. 

Sports highlights came from sports anchor Alejandro Berry, and include TelevisaUnivision scoring the rights for Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, its first-ever national broadcast of an NFL game. TUDN, which has produced the game for viewers in Mexico, will work with CBS Sports to produce the Super Bowl. 

Berry got an assist from former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz on that announcement. 

In other sports news, Copa America comes to TUDN and TelevisaUnivision next summer. Univision extended its deal with the Mexican national team for three more years, and the network will air Leagues Cup, featuring the best of MLS and Liga MX. “A clash of the titans,” said Berry, who got some help from soccer icons Hristo Stoichkov, Carles Puyol and Romario on the announcements. 

News anchors Jorge Ramos and Ilia Calderon spoke about Calderon hosting Vix true-crime series Senales Del Crimen. “Audiences are fascinated with true-crime shows,” Ramos said. 

The 2023 Latin Grammys happens live from Seville November 16. TelevisaUnivision called it the first international telecast in the history of the show. 

To wrap things up, Luis Fonsi sang a couple of numbers, including his smash “Despacito.” About an hour and five minutes after it began, the TelevisaUnivision upfront event concluded. 

Spanish-language programming and sports were big gainers during the first half of 2022, according to a new analysis from research and analytic firm iSpot.TV.

iSpot found that, despite the shift of viewing to streaming, live TV continues to deliver for advertisers, increasing impressions by 7.29% from a year ago.

Nevertheless iSpot recommends that advertisers put 30% to 40% of their ad budgets into over-the-top programming. Advertisers put just 9% of their budgets into OTT during the first half, according to the measurement firm.

Also: iSpot.tv Says Advertisers Underspend on Streaming

Spanish-language networks, led by Telemundo, Univision and UniMas, grew their share of ad impressions by almost 11%.

Live sports scored big, delivering 25.5% of all TV ad impressions during new programming, up from 22.4% a year ago. The growth was helped by the Winter Olympics on NBCU and the Super Bowl, which this year kept viewers engaged till the end of the fourth quarter.

Impressions also ticked up for cable news, with Fox News, CNN and MSNBC up a combined 3.6%. 

Among advertisers, the travel category increased its ad impressions by 93% compared to last year when COVID made people reluctant to travel. Sports betting ad impressions were up 81% and commercials for movies were up 64% as studios released eagerly anticipated films and families returned to theaters. 

The most seen single ad featured Liberty Mutual’s LiMu Emu and Doug.

The top 10 brands ranked by share of impressions were Liberty Mutual, Progressive, GEICO, Indeed, T-Mobile, Balance of Nature, Allstate, Subway, Verizon and Toyota. ■

Univision has come to terms with virtual MVPD provider fuboTV on a broadcast retransmission deal, ending an impasse that threatened to black out channels including the flagship Univision, UniMas, Galavision and TUDN. 

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with FuboTV that will continue to deliver Univision’s networks to customers and provide Hispanic viewers access to the most-watched Spanish-language news, sports and entertainment programming in America," Univision said in a statement. "We recognize FuboTV’s commitment to serving this growing and influential audience with the programming they love, and we look forward to continued partnership."

The previous agreement expired Thursday. Terms of the renewal weren't disclosed.

FuboTV ended the first quarter with just over 1.056 million subscribers, ranking it as the No. 4 virtual pay TV service.  FuboTV bundles Univision channels in its $70-a-month base stream. It also packages them in a skinner $33-a-month "Latino" tier. Notably, fuboTV touts "126" channels in that its most popular base "Pro" tier, and 12 of them carry the TUDN brand. 

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with the world's leading Spanish-language media company to bring their popular sports, news and entertainment to our market-leading Latino package at a reasonable cost to our customers," fuboTV tweeted out Friday. 

News anchor Viviana Paez was promoted at Univision station KUVS-TV, Sacramento, adding the executive producer title.

In her new role, Paez will oversee all editorial aspects of the station and become a brand ambassador. She will also serve as a digital contributor and bridge the news department’s content and digital platforms.

Paez has been with Univision since 2007 as a morning show host. She was promoted to anchor in 2012.

She has won 16 Emmy Awards, most recently for a special about the lack of COVID-19 testing in the agriculture business. ■

LiveRamp said it is working with Iris.TV and SpringServe to provide buyers with contextual data that enables them to use more of their cross-screen inventory in targeted and addressable campaigns.

Univision and Plex are among the publishers using the new capabilities.

“Partnering with LiveRamp has enabled Univision to accelerate our transformation of its adtech capabilities and deliver sophisticated targeted solutions for marketers to reach the diverse Hispanic audience,” said Univision's Brian Lin, senior VP, product management & advanced advertising solutions.

“We welcome the additional partnerships of Iris.TV and SpringServe working alongside LiveRamp to bring to market a first-of-its-kind ability to overlay rich contextual data on top of our audiences to unlock even more addressability for Univision. This will enhance our advertisers' ability to connect with our audiences with the right message across our content footprint, while ensuring brand suitability,” Lin said.

Plex's Harold Morgenstern (CRO) added, "LiveRamp, SpringServe and Iris.TV have been instrumental partners in bolstering Plex's addressable targeting, data and planning solutions. With these new capabilities, we are able to leverage audience and contextual data with ad-break level insights in our planning, enabling us to deliver better addressability and brand suitability across our diverse viewership footprint for our advertiser partners,” added Plex CRO Harold Margenstern.

LiveRamp said that going into the upfront, buyers and seller will be looking for ways to deliver audiences across screens, and that it’s collaboration with Iris.TV and SpringServe was a big step in that direction.

“We’re excited to be partnering with LiveRamp to unlock video-level contextual data to create the industry's first holistic planning tool that incorporates both audience and contextual video data across CTV and online video formats,” said Richie Hyden, COO & co-founder of Iris.TV. “More signal means more value. With greater video data connectivity, we’re making video-level data accessible, actionable, and useful for the entire advertising ecosystem. Couldn’t be more excited to be collaborating with SpringServe, Univision, and Plex to bring these capabilities to life.”

"Our collaboration with LiveRamp and Iris.TV enhances and maximizes addressability for streaming publishers and distributors,” added SpringServe CEO Joe Hirsch. “As they head into upfronts, they can now leverage the full value of their audiences alongside contextual data, such as rating and genre, alongside adbreak-level insights to inform predictability in their planning process all while doing so with 100% control over their data and which advertisers they want to work with.” ■

Univision named Ivan Shammas as president and general manager of Univision’s TV stations in Atlanta and Raleigh, North Carolina, effective immediately.

Shammas was part of the original team that re-launched WUVG-TV for Univision in Atlanta in 2002. It was the market’s first Spanish-language stations. Most recently he was general manager of WKTB-TV, the Telemundo affiliate in Atlanta.

In his new role, he will be based in Atlanta and report to Antonio Roman, regional president for the Eastern region.

Eddy Elguezabal previously oversaw Univision’s stations in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Raleigh before being assigned by the company to run the stations in Orlando and Tampa, Florida, that had previously been managed by Entravision.

Shammas started his career as an account executive for Cable Advertising of Metro Atlanta (now Comcast’s Effectv) where he sold cable airtime on Univision, Telemundo and Galavisión.  ■

Groupo Televisa and Univision Holdings said they completed the previously announced transaction that creates TelevisaUnivision Inc., the world’s biggest Spanish-language media and content company.

TelevisaUnivision will be led by CEO Wade Davis, the former Viacom CFO who led a group that bought Univision last year. Alfonso de Angoitia, co-CEO of Group Televisa, will be executive chairman of the board.

New investors in the company include SoftBank Latin America Fund, Google and The Raine Group.

One of the new company’s first orders of business is launching a new streaming platform this year. The streaming platform will have free and premium tiers and offer original entertainment programs sports and news.

“The close of our transaction marks a historic moment for our company and our industry,” said Davis.

“This combination will create a business without comparison in the global media landscape. Over the past year both companies have transformed themselves, reaching levels of financial performance and audience resonance that has not been seen for years. The power and momentum of the transformed core business is truly unique and will be a springboard for the upcoming launch of the preeminent Spanish-language streaming service,” Davis said. “The new trajectory of our company is supported by our new ownership group, which is well positioned to amplify the efforts of one of the best leadership teams in the world.”

The combined company will have Televisa’s four broadcast channels, 27 pay TV channels, Videocine movie studio, Blim TV subscription VOD service plus Univision's U.S. assets including the Univision and UniMas broadcast networks, nine cable networks, 59 TV stations, 57 radio stations and the PrendeTV ad-supported streaming platform launched last year.

TelevisaUnivision reaches more than 100 million Spanish speakers each day and owns the largest library of Spanish-language content and intellectual property in the world.

Content production and operations in Mexico will be led by Bernardo Gómez and Alfonso de Angoitia, co-CEOs of TelevisaUnivision Mexico, who also remain co-CEOs of Grupo Televisa.

Grupo Televisa’s news operations in Mexico will become part of a new, independent company dedicated to producing news for TelevisaUnivision’s networks in Mexico, and will be led by Emilio Azcárraga, executive chairman of the Grupo Televisa Board of Directors. ■

Univision Communications has named Michael Schwimmer to the new post of president, global platform strategy and revenue.

One of those platforms is the Spanish-language broadcaster’s new unified streaming service that is slated to launch later this year. Univision is in the process of merging with Mexico’s Televisa to form what the broadcasters say will be the world’s largest Spanish-language media company. 

Schwimmer will be responsible for extending the global reach of the combined Univision and Televisa libraries of more than 300,000 hours of content, including working on global app distribution for a new, unified, streaming service.

Before getting the new job, Schwimmer was group president of Sling TV and executive VP of parent Dish Network. 

His resume also includes a stint as president and CEO of Fuse Media. He is a board member of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE).

“Michael will complement our team by leading global distribution for the combined library of Televisa and Univision content, including all subscription and content licensing activities, and will oversee our efforts to ensure that thousands of hours of our Spanish-language content reaches valued audiences worldwide,” said Univision CEO Wade Davis, to whom Schwimmer will report. 

Diane Kniowski, chief local media officer at Univision Communications, is Broadcasting+Cable’s Broadcaster of the Year for her stellar efforts to enhance the unique bond between viewers and their local Univision stations, both television and radio. An extensive research initiative at Univision shed light on what viewers in the group’s top 10 markets want in terms of local content and how they wish to consume it. That, coupled with creating what Kniowski called “unique brand identities” for each market, has elevated the stations’ profiles. 

Since Kniowski came to Univision late in 2018, ratings growth has been substantial. WXTV New York, for one, has seen a 57% elevation in late news from November 2018 to November 2021 in viewers 18-49, and a 25% boost in total-day ratings. WLTV Miami, another key market, is up 100% in late news and 33% in total day.

Kniowski, previously a regional manager at Nexstar Media Group, spoke with B+C/Multichannel News about what has worked for Univision’s local media group in 2021, and how the stations covered the most critical stories. An edited transcript follows.

B+C: What have been some highlights for the group this year?

Diane Kniowski: The work we’ve been doing for two years came to fruition. We’re in the content business. We build content and distribute it on multiple platforms. In our local markets, it’s the one thing that connects us. I like to say that we’re where our brand meets the face of the customer on the street. 

We had some great things come together. We did research in our top 10 markets and took a look at, what did the viewer and the listener want to know in those markets? What style, what platform? 

When we got that information back, we added to it by creating unique brand identities in each of those markets. The New York Hispanic audience is mostly Puerto Rican and Dominican. The Miami Hispanic community is mostly Cuban and Venezuelan. The L.A. Hispanic community is mostly Mexican. Those are diversities inside diversity. We needed to speak in culture and in language. 

Those opportunities that we put together with those brand identities started working. In early news and late news in our top 10 markets, we became No. 1 and No. 2 consistently. We actually beat, in some of our markets, English-language [stations]. That was really, really exciting for us.

B+C: What exactly did you learn from the research?

DK: That we couldn’t give our viewers and listeners what they could already get somewhere else. That we had to be hyper-local. These viewers depend on us in a much stronger relationship than probably an English-language company, because there’s not as many choices. It was really important that we spoke to them on their terms. 

Prior to that, we were just doing whatever we thought as opposed to what they needed and wanted. When you try to be all things to all people, you’re vanilla. Once we started responding to what they told us, they started engaging in a much bigger way.

B+C: Give me one market where you saw one of your stations really leapfrog in terms of news. 

DK: Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and L.A. 

B+C: How have the stations addressed COVID in ways that the competition
does not?

DK: We have a mission above everything else to our community. There was a huge amount of government spending to speak to markets that had huge, diverse populations, but we personally involved our own stories with it and how we were handling it. We made sure that at any event we had, we offered screenings, free shots. Our big events, we offer free masks, we offer screenings, we offer vaccinations. We just had a big radio event under our Uforia brand in Dallas. We provided 300 free shots for the community. We’re constantly talking to them about keeping themselves and their families safe.

We had phone banks. We would tell you either what you needed to know or where you needed to go. We also had a situation in Houston where the schools were [remote] and [much of] the Hispanic population did not have access to laptops. They had cellphones, but not necessarily enough computers. We used one of our subchannels for educational purposes. 

Wherever we got the call, we looked for a way to solve it because we have an obligation to that community. They rely on us to give them honest information.

B+C: How has COVID affected the way the stations go about their day to day?

DK: We are a broadcaster with a radio division. When you think about radio, you’re in cars, you’re at events. There was a real cutback on events, but what we found is we could still do really good business on computer screens. We provided a speaker series about how to keep your business going through these hard times, how to make your brand stand out. 

Our radio division could no longer do concerts. We couldn’t have mass crowds. They created a series called Uforia Hangout Sessions. Instead of having these concerts, they took these incredible singers and songwriters and had private interviews with them. It went over really well. We’re going to keep it going because their fans loved it. 

COVID forced us to reinvent ourselves in different ways, just like every company in the world. But what we found was we could still be delivering content. We never stopped being on the air. 

B+C: How is the Univision group setting itself up for success down the road?

DK: I’ve been at the company three years. After the first year, what I realized when I was evaluating our content was that we didn’t have enough digital content builders. We had to solve a problem. We reached out and took a look at where the strong bilingual communication majors are. Right there in our own backyard, in Miami, is Florida International University. Our general manager of our Miami station, Claudia Puig, happened to be on the board. We set up a meeting with Florida International University and created a program called STEP, Student Training Employment Program. We went after seniors and grad students in their last semester that were bilingual, that were communications or journalism majors. Then we let the school pick 20 students per semester in a three-semester program, so over the course of a year it’s 60 students. We brought those 20 students in and created a destination location in one of our facilities. 

Right in the middle of the first semester we had to have them all at home, but it still worked. Everyone got a laptop. They got a camera light kit, a mini tripod, for their iPhone. 

We tied the curriculum with the school to what our needs were, so that we could have the students doing digital content for us, creating new video stories, expanding on existing stories, writing for our websites, writing for our apps, taking news stories and breaking them down into social snackables.

We were able to amp up in the digital content, and we created a gateway for hiring new talent. It’s a win-win all the way around because not only did we hire some of them, some of them have gone to Telemundo. We are basically building the content drivers and providers for the future that are bilingual. It’s worked very, very well. 

B+C: Tell me about the group’s acquisitions. 

DK: It’s happening at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31. We had a JSA [joint sales agreement] where we owned Tampa, Orlando and Washington, D.C., but we had a contract with Entravision for them to manage those markets and pay us a little bit of the fee. That contract expires Dec. 31, so we are in the process of acquiring three stations. Orlando and Tampa, along with our Miami station, are going to give us a really big footprint, especially for political, in Florida. Washington, D.C., is a great opportunity to put our best foot forward for all the politicians that want to have an understanding of who we are, how we tell our stories and what we represent. It’s a lot, but we’re very excited about it.

B+C: What drew you to Univision three years ago?

DK: Vince Sadusky was the CEO at the time. I worked for him at LIN and then at Media General. I worked for Vince for almost 15 years. We built an entire division for digital at the time. We built brands and we built community outlets. All the things that I had done, Vince basically said, “I want you to come here and take a look at doing the same thing for Univision.” 

When I looked into Univision, I was surprised that in all the major markets that I had ever worked in, we had never considered them a competitive player. I met a number of the department heads and what I found was an incredibly passionate group of people that believed in their mission. I hadn’t seen that in a company in a while, and so, I was in.

B+C What else are you proud of in terms of Univision in 2021?

DK: I’m really proud of our community program that we’re extending. With such a reliance of the community on us for communication, for audio and digital and television, we have a program we rolled into one called Contigo, which means With You. Our message is, we are going to respond to what’s happening in your community in the news with something that is a solution, so that we are sought after and we are recognized and that trust gets built. We see what’s happening, we’re there for you. 

The Christmas season, we always see a lot of home fires. We’re going to be prepared this season. We’ll be out in the community handing out smoke detectors. 

The Hispanic population, and some of the African-American population, is not taught as much about water safety. In every one of our markets, there are tons of swimming pools, or we’re near oceans and the Gulf. The number of drownings is ridiculous. This year, we started a program that we’ll repeat every summer. We call it the Safe Water Campaign. It was a really active campaign to not just teach them about water dangers, but also to provide opportunities to find businesses that sponsor free swim lessons. We also handed out 16,000 lanyards. They had a whistle. The front said, ‘I’m watching the kids now.’ On the back it had, in English and Spanish, the five things you need to really be paying attention to before you let anybody go in the water.

B+C: What are you watching for fun these days?

DK: I’m watching a lot of Fixer Upper and real-estate shows. I watch our Latin Grammys. My favorite show on our air is The Rose of Guadalupe. It’s about a woman and it’s about hope. It’s perfect for me. It’s absolutely perfect. ■

Univision Communications said it launched Noticias Univision 24/7, a free streaming news channel available on the company’s PrendeTV platform.

Univision said that Spanish-language news consumption is rising. To support the new channels, the company said in October it would create 100 positions. Those positions have been filled.

“This expansion of our news portfolio and digital operations represents one of the most significant and strategic investments in the Univision News division in history,” said Luis Silberwasser, president of the Television Networks Group at Univision. “Univision’s award-winning newsroom is an example of journalistic integrity and excellence, and, with the launch of the news streaming channel, our impact and reach will be every day, all day.”

Univision was acquired earlier this year by a group led by former Viacom CFO Wade Davis.

Programming on Noticias Univision 24/7 includes La Voz de la Mañana” (The Voice of the Morning) streaming from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays, hosted by Carolina Sarassa, Paulina Sodi and Maity Interiano; Noticias Univision 24/7 Daytime, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, hosted by Andrea Linares and Borja Voces; and Noticias Univision 24/7 Primetime from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Aylan del Toro and Carolina Rosario.

Noticias Univision 24/7 will also stream  the local editions of Edición Digital from New York and Los Angeles, as well as the best of Univision’s flagship newscasts Despierta América, Primer Impacto and El Gordo y La Flaca.

“The launch of Noticias Univision 24/7 is a key milestone as we are building the best and largest Spanish-language streaming service in the world, offering an experience that includes entertainment, live sports, and now, news,” said Rafael Urbina, general manager and executive VP of AVOD streaming at Univision. “PrendeTV now offers near 100 linear channels available for free as well as thousands of shows and movies on demand.” ■

Addressable TV ads, the kind that are aimed at individual households by cable and satellite providers and streaming TV services, continue to grow as a category, offering brands the promise of targeting the right audience and digital-style reporting of business results. Advertisers today can reach a majority of households by running addressable ads across the available platforms, aiming at targets using more precise characteristics than Nielsen age and gender demographics.

A panel of experts, though, point out that there are still lags in stitching together different delivery platforms and in judging how successful a campaign is while it is still going on. B+C business editor Jon Lafayette led the panel at the Advanced Advertising event during Virtual Fall TV 2021. 

“Where we sit now is how to bring it all together so that from an advertiser’s perspective, an addressable ad can run across multiple platforms,” Adam Gaynor, veteran of the category who is now VP of network partnerships and head of addressable at TV-set maker Vizio. “I think we‘re there. We have enough homes, we have enough screens, I think there’s enough tech that’s out there. It’s just piecing it all together.”

Brian Lin, senior VP of product management and advanced advertising sales at Univision Communications, agreed that “bridging it all together is the hard part.” Tim Myers, head of strategy and product at Dish Media, said it‘s important to speed up the feedback on a campaign‘s results, or provide early indicators of success or advice on what to tweak. “That is one of the complaints that we hear from agencies, it just takes a lot of time to get results back.”

Daniel Church, head of advanced TV product at ad-tech provider Beachfront Media, joked that he was “very happy that I enjoy integrating systems and it’s one of the joys of my life, because it’s a lot of integrations across the board.” He did offer praise for industry partnerships working to make those integrations easier, especially Project OAR (which Beachfront and Vizio have worked with) and the Go Addressable initiative. Interoperability and standardization will continue to be priorities for addressable TV backers in 2022, Church and Gaynor said.

“The technology’s there, and the value prop is there, too,” Lin said.

Virtual Fall TV 2021 (free to attend) continues this week with the Next TV Summit and the 17th annual Hispanic Television Summit, and event-session replays are available to attendees. ■

Univision and The Latin Recording Academy said that Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia, Meta and Old Parr Whisky have signed on as first-time sponsors of the annual Latin Grammy Awards.

They join Bulova, Frontera Wines, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Verizon and Walmart as official sponsors.

Clinique and Sally Hansen join returning advertiser Ford as sponsors of digital content on Univision platforms.

“We are excited to collaborate with The Latin Recording Academy and this year’s partners to unveil unprecedented multi-platform innovations as part of the 22nd annual celebration,” said Donna Speciale, president of advertising sales and marketing at Univision Communications Inc. 

“Music is the great cultural unifier, and now, more than ever, with the tremendous growth of the Hispanic population and influence, the Latin Grammys offers a huge opportunity for brands to reach and engage with new, growing audiences in-language and in-culture. We thank this year’s sponsors for investing in our community and look forward to showcasing the latest, best-in-class activations for The Biggest Night in Latin Music,” Speciale said.

Bulova is working with The Latin Recording Academy to gift all first-time Latin Grammy winners a special edition watch to mark the milestone. Bulova will also present a digital series showcasing this year’s Best New Artist nominees, where audiences will get to know the artists through a series of interviews and performances, along with a special look at a Latin Grammy edition Bulova timepiece.

Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia is coming on board as the official tequila sponsor of the Biggest Night in Latin Music. The tequila will be service at the Official Latin Grammy After Party and have a presence at the Official Talent Lounge.

Meta will be the official hardware sponsor of the Latin Grammy Awards. During the telecast, the social technology company will offer fans an exclusive look into the real, authentic conversations between Grammy nominee Camilo and his family via the Portal Go.

First-time sponsor Old Parr Whisky will kick-off their partnership with the Latin Recording Academy as Presenting Sponsor of two Virtual Latin Grammy Acoustic Sessions featuring Pablo Alborán on Nov. 7 and with Michel Teló on Nov. 14. Old Parr Whisky will also be sponsoring a content series that will live on the Latin Grammy social media platforms highlighting how Latin Grammy nominees “Flip the Script” from work to play. In addition, Old Parr Whisky will host a bar at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala, Latin Grammy Awards and Official Latin Grammy After Party featuring a signature Old Parr Whisky Latin Grammy cocktail. 

“The Latin Recording Academy takes pride in being an inclusive cultural institution that enables artists and audiences to share their heritage through music, and we are humbled to partner with brands that share similar values as our own,” said Davina Aryeh, chief business development officer at The Latin Recording Academy. “This year’s Latin Grammys are returning to Las Vegas with strong support from long standing brands and new ones, and we are thankful to our partners for supporting us as we continue to advance our mission to nurture, celebrate, honor and elevate Latin music and its creators.”

The 22nd Latin Grammy Awards will air live on Univision on Nov. 18.

Last year, Univision’s exclusive telecast of the 21st annual Latin Grammy Awards reached 5.7 million total viewers on television and delivered a record 11.8 million total social interactions. The three-hour telecast averaged 2.1 million total viewers.

Univision said it will be using Comscore as its exclusive audience measurement provider at stations it is acquiring in Washington, D.C., and Orlando and Tampa, Florida.

The stations will use Comscore’s next-generation linear audience measurement service as currency for its local advertising sales.

Univision and Comscore also said they will collaborate to refine Comscore’s Hispanic audience measurement capabilities. 

Also read: Comscore Fires Back at Nielsen on Using Big Data

The move comes with Nielsen under pressure both in its local measurement business as well as in the national market. Critics have said Nielsen’s panels are too small to accurately measure viewing as it spreads to more platforms and screens. 

Industry watchdog the Media Rating Council has suspended the accreditation for Nielsen’s national and local ratings products and said Nielsen undercounted national and local viewing during the pandemic, which reduced the number of households contributing to its panels.

Also read: Ad Industry Seeks Alternatives After Nielsen Loses Seal of Approval

“With trust in audience measurement at an inflection point across the industry, Univision surveyed the market and quickly identified Comscore as the right partner for us to deliver reliable and advanced measurement beginning in these three markets,” Univision executive VP of research, insights and analytics Roberto Ruiz said. “We are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with Comscore into the linear TV space and are excited to have a seat at the table in helping to drive meaningful, positive change in standards for how the Hispanic audience, and audiences in general, are measured.”

Univision is taking control of the three stations — WFDC Washington, WVEN Orlando and WVEA Tampa  — from Entravision Communications. Entravision’s licensing agreement with Univision ends Dec. 31.

Comscore uses data from millions of cable set-top boxes to generate its viewer numbers and is among the measurement companies the industry sees providing potential alternatives to Nielsen.

“The media industry is witnessing momentous change, and advertisers need stable and reliable measurement they can trust, to provide accurate audience insights for all audiences,” Comscore chief revenue officer Carol Hinnant said. “Comscore is proud that Univision has tapped us as a trusted partner to help deliver the future of television currency.”

Univision Communications reported higher profits as revenue increased.

Third-quarter net income for the Spanish-language media company rose 8.4% to $33.5 million, from $30.9 million a year ago. Net income had been $77.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, before the pandemic.

Revenue increased 20.3%, to $754 million.

Ad revenue was up 32.5%, to $42 million.

Also read: Univision Profits Rise as Cost Cuts Take Hold

“Our outstanding third-quarter results underscore the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for Univision,” said CEO Wade Davis. “The strength of our content and the connection with our audience are demonstrated by the fact that we continue to deliver the highest overall ratings growth in the industry.” 

Revenue for Univision’s Media Networks segment was up 18.7% to $688.3 million. Ad revenue was up 31.7% to $378.8 million, driven by strong scatter volume and pricing, new brand activation and growth in low-volume accounts. Three major soccer tournaments and improvements in the retail travel and services sectors also helped, the company said.

Subscription and licensing revenue was $278 million, up from $267.6 million. Subscriber-fee revenue was $277.1 million, up 5.3%.

Univision said it is creating 87 new positions at Univision News and will be hiring reporters, anchors, correspondents, producers, editors, operators and technicians as it expands its news operation.

The new jobs include positions in Miami, Houston, Chicago and Phoenix. 

The company said the expansion reflects its commitment to service the Hispanic community with in-depth reporting, analysis and context on multiple platforms.

Univision was acquired earlier this year by a group led by former Viacom CFO Wade Davis.

Univision is set to merge with Televisa to form a Spanish-language media giant. The company said it will have more to say about its expansion plans when the merger is completed.

Univision said it reached a distribution deal with YouTube TV, which will carry Univision, UniMás and Galavisión networks on its standard tier.

“We’re thrilled to introduce three new networks from Univision to our YouTube TV base membership, expanding our lineup of diverse content for our YouTube TV members,” said Lori Conkling, global head of TV & film partnerships at YouTube. “This launch will give our members access to even more Spanish-language news, sports and entertainment to enjoy on our service.”

Financial terms were not disclosed.

“This is something that both YouTube and Univision are very [excited] about because as you can see from the Census and all the news out there is that our community is growing faster than ever and has more influence than ever and serving them across all platforms is our mutual priority,” Hamed Nasseri, VP, content distribution at Univision, told Broadcasting+Cable.

At a time when the number of traditional pay TV subscribers are dropping from cord cutting, adding the virtual multichannel video programming distributors like YouTube TV, with more than 3 million subscribers, is important.

Also Read: Univision Acquires Equity Stake in MMA Franchise Combate Global

“YouTube TV represents a huge pivotal moment for our company in our transformation,  giving our audience yet another great platform to get our linear content,” Nasseri said.

Among the vMVPDs, Univision is also on fuboTV and DirecTV Stream. “We are always having strategic conversations with some of the other potential distribution partners,” Nasseri said, noting that with its devoted audience, having Univision aboard can help those streaming platforms grow.

Looking ahead, some of Univision's other channels could appear on YouTube TV in the future. “I don't have details to share now, but we're excited about future launches,” he said.

YouTube TV subscribers will also have access to video on demand content from Univision. The network’s daytime and primetime programming is available on demand the day it airs and Univision also has a library of 1,500 hours of content that will be available to YouTube TV subscribers.

Univision has also been working on addressable advertising. Doing dynamic ad insertion with YouTube TV and other partners is a priority, Nasseri said.

Earlier this year, Univision formed a strategic partnership with YouTube parent Google, using Google’s cloud to make Univision’s businesses more digital. 

Nasseri wouldn’t say whether that partnership helped pave the way for the YouTube TV deal, but he noted “it is really important that partners like Google and YouTube are really recognizing the importance of engaging with this audience.”

Both Univision and YouTube TV will be mounting marketing campaigns to make sure that Univision viewers and YouTube subscribers know that Univision’s networks are on the streaming TV service. 

The campaign kicks off Wednesday and will ramp up in the weeks and months ahead.

Univision Communications said it has acquired a “significant” equity stake in mixed-martial arts franchise Combate Global.

The deal is the latest in a series of moves at Univision since it was acquired by a group led by former Viacom CFO Wade Davis.

In March, Univision announced a five-year media rights deal with Combate Global that would give Univision 30 live television events a year. With an equity stake, Univision will have more incentive to cover and promote MMA.

Also Read: Univision and Televisa Team Up To Form Spanish-Language Media Giant

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Univision said the deal includes Combate’s La Jaula Studios and that there are plans underway to create future programming, including non-scripted series and stand-alone properties.

“This investment marks the first step in Univision’s broader strategy to deliver more exciting, live combat sports to our audience,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of Sports Enterprises, Univision. “Combat sports rank as the second most popular sport among Hispanics. We’re excited to take our successful partnership to the next level as we collaborate with the Combate team to elevate the brand and bring compelling mixed martial arts content across the Univision platforms for years to come.”

When Davis, now CEO of Univision, was with Viacom, it owned Bellator, another MMA outfit.

Also Read: Anthem Sports & Entertainment Buys Invicta Fighting Championships

Combate Global programming began airing live on Univision in 2018, when the company was known as Combate Americas. Univision said that MMA and combat sports is the second-most popular sport among Hispanic after soccer.

“Since teaming up in 2018 Univision and Combate Global have created an entirely new audience for MMA,” said Combate Global CEO Campbell McLaren. “Today, those content hungry fans, combined with our dynamic athletes, represent the future of the sport. This announcement underscores Univision’s commitment to Hispanic MMA and we could not be more excited to further strengthen our successful partnership with them.” 

Combate Global this year is averaging 425,000 total viewers on Univision, making it the highest-rated Spanish-language program in its time slot. Combate’s July 23 event had 543,000 total viewers, its highest since 2018.

Univision and Coca-Cola will be holding in person backlot experience as part of Coke’s sponsorship of this year’s Premio Juventud.

In addition to Coke, returning sponsors of the youth awards show include Ford, Little Caesars, M&Ms, McDonald’s Mondelez International and T-Mobile.

Online education company K-12 is a new sponsor this year.

Coke has been a sponsor of the awards show for five years. Its back lot experience will feature food, cooking demonstrations and music and take place in Miami’s Wynwood district. During the show Univision and performer TINI will announce the Agent of Change award to Tanisha Clemente, an advocate for childhood education from the venue. Live shots from the venue will be shown throughout the broadcast.

“We thank this year’s sponsors for their support of Premios Juventud,” said Luis de la Parra, senior VP, Partner Solutions, at Univision. “PJ is a special platform that speaks to and empowers Hispanic youth, and with the rapid rise in Spanish-language marketing, it offers brands a unique opportunity to connect culturally through music with an audience that is growing in influence and impact. This year’s celebration will be electric, and we look forward to delivering surprise performances, world premieres, and dynamic partnerships that our fans won’t forget.”

Ford and its 2021 Bronco Sport will be featured in custom vignettes during the show. Throughout the three-hour telecast the Bronco will also appear in split-screen executions and sponsored billboards 

M&Ms is promoting its M&Ms Mix product by working with DJ and Producer CRUZ to create custom beats and rhythms inspired by the different M&M flavors. The beats will be pushed with a digital campaign on Univision’s and CRUZ’s social channel. A final M&M Mix song will debut in an on-air custom vignette airing during Premios Juventud.

Mondelez is promoting Sour Patch Kids and Oreo with 360-degree sponsorships. Sour Patch Kids will have a venue where performers can take video portraits showing off their sweet and sour side. The best will pear during the pre-show and on Premios Juventud’s Instagram. Oreo is working with nominee and performer Guaynaa. 

K-12, McDonald and T-Mobile will be featured in innovative ad formats during the main show. Little Caesars will be feature in tune-in spots leading up to the show.

Premios Juventud will emanating from Watsco Center in Miami. The broadcast kick off Thursday at 7 p.m. with the “PJ Takeover" pre-show.

Univision Communications released data showing a big increase in registration and turnout among Hispanic voters.

Working with election data company Labels & Lists (known as L2), Univision said that 16.1 million Hispanics voted in the 2020 election, up 30% from 2016. 

A jump in first time voters and 18-34 year old voters contributed to the increase. 

L2 also forecasts double-digit voter growth for the 2022 midterms in key states including Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

The data supports the notion that candidates should advertise in Spanish-language media to reach the growing Hispanic voting block.

In 2020, Univision generated $147 million in political advertising.

Univision also said that 68% of Hispanic registered voters cast a ballot in 2020, compared to 54% in 2016. Of the Hispanics voting, 58% were registered Democrats, 17% were registered Republicans and 24% were independents or members of other parties.

Registered Republicans were more likely to vote, with an 80% turnout, compared to 70% for registered Democrats.

Univision Communications said it plans to launch a unified global streaming service with both free and advertising-supported tiers.

Univision launched its ad-supported PrendeTV in the U.S. in March. The new service is expected to launch in the U.S. and Latin America in 2022.

Univision said the new service--with the best of PrendeTV, Vix (acquired in February) and Univision Now--will offer more Spanish-language originals that any other service, and would include content from the Televisa library. Univision and Televisa announced plans to combine in April..

“With today’s announcement we are giving an early view into the scale and scope of our streaming ambitions. My partners and I closed on our acquisition of Univision less than six months ago, and I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made to date. With the acquisition and integration of Vix  and the launch of the current, early version of PrendeTV, we now have an audience that is more than 7M users worldwide and growing rapidly,” said Univision CEO Wade Davis. 

The new service will be run by Rodrigo Mazon, who was named executive VP and GM of SVOD. Mazon joins Univision from Netflix, where he had been VP of content, and reports to Pierluigi Gazzolo, president and chief transformation officer at Univision. 

Also Read: Univision Names Michael Cerdá Executive VP for Streaming Products

“Today’s announcement is a quantum leap in Univision’s transformation as we aggressively scale and expand our streaming capabilities to bring thousands of hours of premium, original content to the nearly 600 million Spanish speakers around the world,” said Gazzolo. “We are excited to announce our new SVOD service as a powerful cornerstone of this strategy, providing us the opportunity to reach global audiences with high-quality, original programming from distinguished producers and top talent not available anywhere else. With PrendeTV, and now with our SVOD offering, Univision is uniquely positioned to satisfy the global demand for premium Spanish-language content, the last truly meaningful open lane in global video streaming.”

It was a four-way tie for the title in Thursday prime, with ABC, Fox, NBC and Univision all putting up a 0.4 in viewers 18-49, per the Nielsen overnights, and a 3 share. Just behind was CBS at 0.3/3. 

ABC had the two-hour season premiere of mini-golf show Holey Moley at 0.5, down from last season’s 0.8 opener. The season starter for The Hustler got a 0.3. 

NBC had two hours of U.S. Open golf at 0.3 and Olympic trials at 0.4. 

Fox had Beat Shazam down 20% to 0.4 and a Lego Masters rerun. 

On Univision it was Disenando Tu Amor at 0.4 and Si Nos Dejan at 0.4. La Hija Del Embajador got a 0.3. All three were flat. 

CBS had United States of Al between comedy reruns at a flat 0.4 and Clarice up 50% to 0.3. 

Telemundo scored a 0.2/2. Exatlon Estados Unidos did a 0.2 and La Suerte De Loli a 0.3, both level with last week. Cafe Con Aroma De Mujer was off 33% for a 0.2. 

The CW posted a 0.1/1, as Walker and Legacies both scored a 0.1. Walker lost a tenth and Legacies stayed level. 

Univision retweeted on its official Twitter account late Tuesday (June 8) a statement from president of news Daniel Coronell that Maria Fernanda Reyes, who claimed to be a reporter with the news outlet when called on by Vice President Kamala Harris in a Mexico City news conference "is not part of this media organization.

Harris was on a trip to talk about illegal immigration, an issue she has been charged with helping deal with by the President.

Reyes had raised some eyebrows when she began her question by saying it was an honor to speak with Harris because she had been able to vote for the first time as a naturalized citizen and had voted for her--Harris had thanked her.

Some conservative outlets were skewering the question as either "fangirling" by a reporter, as Media Research Center tweeted following the incident, or a major security breach.

Univision won the Sunday ratings battle, with CONCACAF soccer paving the way. Univision posted a 0.7 in viewers 18-49, per the Nielsen overnights, and a 5 share. In second was ABC at 0.6/4. 

Aqui y Ahora shot up 67% to 0.5 on Univision and Nosotros Los Guapos scored a 0.6. The CONCACAF Nations League Final soccer championship got a 0.8 and 0.7 across two hours. The U.S. played Mexico. 

ABC had an America’s Funniest Home Videos rerun before the season starters for Celebrity Family Feud at 0.8, The Chase at 0.6 and To Tell the Truth at 0.4. 

NBC had a 0.4/2 and CBS a 0.3/2. NBC had U.S. championship gymnastics for two hours at 0.3 and 0.4. An America’s Got Talent repeat followed. 

On CBS, 60 Minutes got a level 0.4. The 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors scored a 0.3 and led into an NCIS: New Orleans rerun. The Kennedy Center Honors was postponed from December. Gloria Estefan hosted. The 42nd annual event got a 0.6 in December 2019. 

Fox was at 0.2/1. Bless the Harts got a flat 0.2, as did The Moodys, which lost a tenth from its last airing. Fox had reruns in between. 

Telemundo got a 0.2/1 as well. Two hours of Exatlon Estados Unidos notched a flat 0.2 and movie Backdraft 2 followed. 

The CW posted a 0.1/1. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman both earned a flat 0.1. 

Univision named Michael "MC" Cerdá as executive VP, product and engineering, streaming, a new position.

Cerdá, previously a VP working on Disney Plus's international expansion, will oversee product and technology development for Univision’s streaming portfolio, anchored by PrendeTV. 

He reports to Pierluigi Gazzolo, president and chief transformation officer at Univision.

“MC is a great addition to the Univision team; his leadership and technical expertise will help us grow and evolve PrendeTV while further accelerating the company’s broader transformation,” said Gazzolo. “His entrepreneurial track record and deep experience in developing industry-leading technology platforms at Disney Plus, Facebook and Goldman Sachs are critical assets for us as we continue to evolve and differentiate our company in the streaming space.”

Also Read: Univision Buys Ad-Supported Spanish-Language Streamer Vix

Before joining Disney, Cerdá was chief product officer for Goldman Sach’s Marcus digital bank. Earlier he held posts at Facebook, Vevo and MySpace. 

“I am delighted to join Univision— a trusted and iconic brand that means so much to U.S. Hispanics—and to now form a part of the first and only streaming service designed specifically for Spanish-speaking consumers. This unique opportunity allows me to leverage my deep consumer experience, technical and business background to make a significant contribution to the platform, internal teams and external partners,” said Cerdá. “I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to continue to transform Univision and create something truly unique in the marketplace.”

Univision is planning to build its addressable advertising capabilities, starting with beta tests with Vizio and Dish this year.

More partners will be brought on next year, said Donna Speciale, president of advertising sales and marketing at Univision, the big Spanish-language programmer. By the end of 2022, the industry should be in a position where addressable advertising should be scalable and provide the kind of precision marketers need.

“Since I’ve been here we’ve been increasing our focus in the audience targeting space, and addressable is part of that,” Speciale said.

Also Read: Wade Davis, Donna Speciale Introduce New Univision to Madison Avenue

Univision earlier announced being involved in the beta testing of Nielsen’s addressable technology, since sold to Roku. It also joined Project OAR, a group led by Vizio that looks to set standards for addressable advertising.

Speciale said Univision is building out a Hispanic audience graph. Following that it will be able to create audience segments.

“We’ve been talking to a lot of clients on who wants to do some testing with us within different audience segments,” Speciale said. “A lot of clients are talking about it  It’s not in a scalable set yet. So it really is smart for us to do slow betas to make sure we can get it right.” 

A former top media buyer and head of ad sales for Turner before Time Warner was acquired by AT&T, Speciale joined Univision in January.

When she arrived, she said her goal was to increase the number of marketers advertising to Hispanic consumers in Spanish on Univision. At that point, of 1,900 English language TV advertisers, only 400 were advertising in Spanish.

“I’m proud to say that literally since the beginning of the year we now have over 80 new brands that have come on,” she said.

“A lot of clients believe that they can reach the U.S. Hispanic audience in English language. And you can reach some, but the connection doesn’t resonate. You really need to be in culture and in language for your brand to really pop.”

Univision shared its 2021-2022 lineup as its “Grow With Us”-themed upfront presentation went down May 18. Univision’s 2021-2022 programming slate offers more than 2,500 hours of original content across its Univision and UniMás networks. 

“It is an exciting time at Univision and I am proud to help chart the course of our transformation that will take this iconic media company to new heights,” said Luis Silberwasser, president of Univision Television Networks Group. “We are focused on bringing Hispanics together by delivering programming that promotes live viewership and ignites passion for community, family and culture. It is why we are adding more tentpole events, more sports programming, and expanding our news hours. Nothing energizes our audience more than live entertainment and when combined with a proven weekday primetime lineup filled with the best scripted novelas and series from around the world, we are authentically serving U.S. Hispanics with the content they love.”

Live programming includes TUDN Mega-Fest, a mix of soccer and music. The live event happens summer 2022 in Los Angeles. 

Starting in the fall, Univision celebrates the Hispanic visionaries who have made impactful contributions to the community with UniVisionarios. Viewers will get to vote on who will be named visionaries of the year in a special airing during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022. 

On the unscripted front, season 12 of reality series Nuestra Belleza Latina (Our Latin Beauty) sees women train to become the next Univision star. Former Miss Colombia Daniella Alvarez joins the show as a judge. 

Univision’s Domingos en Familia (Family Sundays) offers a family-friendly block that includes competition series Pequeños Gigantes (Little Giants), Mira Quién Baila (Look Who’s Dancing), Tu Cara Me Suena (Your Face Sounds Familiar) and ¿Quién es La Máscara? (The Masked Singer). 

UniMas hit Enamorandonos is a daily two-hour show featuring participants looking to find their perfect match. UniMás will also showcase new editions of reality competitions Inseparables, Amor al Límite (Power Couple) and Guerreros 2021 (Warriors 2021). 

Desafío The Box (Challenge The Box) takes place in the jungle of Tobia, Cundinamarca in Colombia. In its 17th season, 44 participants face mental and physical challenges.  

For scripted programming on Univision, Vencer el Pasado (Overcoming the Past) follows Vencer el Miedo (Overcoming Fear) and Vencer el Desamor (Overcoming Heartbreak). The series offers a story about female empowerment.  

La Desalmada (The Fiend) is a romantic melodrama about a woman who seeks vengeance to right the wrongs of the past. 

Los Ricos También Lloran (The Rich Also Cry) is the fourth series of “The Collection,” an anthology of classics reimagined for a new generation. Mariana is a bright and humble girl who by chance saves the life of Don Alberto, owner of Mexico’s greatest conglomerate empire. 

Génesis (The Story of Creation) takes place in the beginning of time and tells the story of the first book of the Bible.

S.O.S. Me Estoy Enamorando (S.O.S. I’m Falling in Love) is a family-friendly drama about Alberto, who will have to make a deal to save the screen-printing shop that’s been in his family for decades. 

Soltero con Hijas (Single with Kids) is a comedy about Nicolás and Victoria, who love and hate one another. They end up forming a family with Nicolás’ three orphaned nieces.

Comedy Vecinos (Neighbors), about a group of residents in an apartment building, returns later this year for a 10th and 11th season.

Comedy Dr. Cándido Pérez tells the story of the charismatic Dr. Cándido Pérez (Arath de la Torre), a women’s doctor, and his funny occurrences at work. 

On UniMas, Amor Prohibido (Forbidden Love) is a Turkish drama that explores a family’s secrets. Las Mil y Una Noches (A Thousand and One Nights) is also from Turkey and centers on the troubled romance between Sehrazat and Onur. La Reina del Flow 2 (Queen of Flow 2) starts season two, as Yeimy (Carolina Ramirez) faces new dangers that will threaten her life and her family. 

On the news side, Despierta América (Wake up America) adds Sunday mornings to its weekday lineup. The program turns 25 next year. 

Univision will launch a direct-to-consumer 24-hour live news service, reaching Hispanics via its PrendeTV free streaming service.  

To assist brands in developing campaigns to reach the Hispanic consumer, Univision is launching its first Brand Studio in the fourth quarter. Brand Studio “will combine the best in original brand journalism with industry-leading insights to deliver powerful storytelling across the Univision portfolio and social media,” said Univision. 

“Univision is the gateway to U.S. Hispanics and represents an untapped opportunity for brands to deliver current and future growth,” said Donna Speciale, president of advertising sales and marketing, Univision. “According to Nielsen, brands not active in Spanish-language are leaving an incredible 39% of ad spend return on the table and are missing out on a key opportunity to speak to the consumers that are the main growth driver in these major categories. Nobody understands this audience like Univision. We have the research, data, and insights to help brands engage in-culture and in-language, and are committed to developing new solutions to optimize performance across our portfolio for our partners.”

Univision’s new management reported higher first quarter profits as cost controls cut expenses more than revenue fell.

An investor group led by former Viacom executive Wade Davis, acquired control of Univision in December. 

Net income jumped to $66 million from $11.7 million a year ago, when the company took a $75.1 million non-cash impairment charge, severance charges of $4.2 million and other expenses of $11.2 million.

Read Also: Univision and Televisa Team Up To Form Spanish-Language Media Giant

Revenue fell 4% to $633.7 million from $660.4 million a year ago.

Core ad revenue rose 7% in the quarter, led by double-digit growth from national advertising.

Revenue for Univision’s media network segment dropped 3% to $590.3 million. Ad revenue rose 7% to $300.4 million. Core ad revenue, excluding political was up 11%. The company said ad revenue rose because of new brand activations, growth in low volume accounts and improvements in the auto, healthcare and beverage sectors, which are recovering from COVID. 

Read Also: Univision Launches Ad-Supported Streaming Service, PrendeTV

Subscriber revenue was down 6% to $264.3 million.

“Our quarterly results demonstrate that Univision’s transformation is continuing to gain momentum,” said Wade Davis, CEO of Univision. 

“This quarter we took a number of important actions to drive our strategy forward including, most notably, the announcement of our historic combination with Televisa’s content and media assets,” Davis said. “We also successfully launched PrendeTV, our free ad-supported streaming platform, which is now the leading Spanish Language entertainment app on Google, Apple and Roku platforms in just slightly more than a month since its launch.”

B&C has partnered with always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company iSpot.tv to bring you a weekly chart we call Promo Mojo: exclusive data showing the top five TV promos ranked by ad impressions. Our data covers the 7-day period through May 9.

On the strength of 139.2 million TV ad impressions, MTV’s spot for the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards tops our chart. CBS serves up some social media endorsements (e.g., “My favorite new show”) of its horror-crime drama Clarice in second place, while ABC promotes the “Summer Rise & Shine Tour” on Good Morning America in third.

Meanwhile, Hallmark Channel takes fourth place to hype the new season of fantasy comedy-drama Good Witch, and Univision grabs fifth for Latin Grammy Celebra: Ellas y su música, a special celebrating women in music.

Notably, Univision’s spot has this week’s highest iSpot Attention Index (111), meaning viewers were on average highly likely to watch it all the way through (vs. interrupting it by changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV).

1) 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards, MTV

Impressions: 139,215,816

Interruption Rate: 3.10%

Attention Index: 96 (4% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 93%, Local 6%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $672,219

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $9,112

2) Clarice, CBS

Impressions: 138,869,917

Interruption Rate: 1.45%

Attention Index: 76 (24% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 92%, Local 6%, VOD/OTT 2%

In-network Value: $856,051

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

3) Good Morning America, ABC

Impressions: 134,693,820

Interruption Rate: 1.50%

Attention Index: 92 (8% more interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 91%, Local 8%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $557,058

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $0.00

4) Good Witch, Hallmark Channel

Impressions: 133,905,203

Interruption Rate: 7.29%

Attention Index: 102 (2% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 99%, Local 0%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $784,287

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $11,026

5) Latin Grammy Celebra: Ellas y su música, Univision

Impressions: 129,683,958

Interruption Rate: 1.41%

Attention Index: 111 (11% fewer interruptions than avg.)

Imp. Types: National 93%, Local 6%, VOD/OTT 1%

In-network Value: $964,543

Out-of-network Est. Spend: $69,349

*Data provided by iSpot.tv, TV Ad Measurement for Disruptive Brands*

Impressions - The total impressions within all US households including National Linear (Live & Time-shifted), VOD+OTT, and Local.

Attention Score - Measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV. The higher the score, the more complete views. Actions that interrupt an ad play include changing the channel, pulling up the guide, fast-forwarding or turning off the TV.

Attention Index - Represents the Attention of a specific creative or program placement vs. the average in its respective industry. The average is represented by a score of 100, and the total index range is from 0 through 200. For example, an attention index of 125 means that there are 25% fewer interrupted ad plays compared to the average.

Imp. Types - Impression types tracked include National (Live + Time-shifted), Local, VOD & OTT. See below for further details.

In-network Value - Estimated media value of in-network promos.

Out-of-network Spend - The estimated amount spent on TV airing time for this promo's spots during a given date range.

National: Live - A national promo which was viewed during live linear television broadcast or same day, via DVR or on-demand.

Local - A promo that was aired during a local ad break slot.

VOD - This includes promos that run in on-demand content past three days (i.e. do not contain the linear promo load)

OTT - On-demand streaming content (i.e. Hulu, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast).

PrendeTV, Univision’s new free ad supported streaming service will stream 40 live soccer matches as part of Univision’s coverage of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.

Univision’s sports channel TUDN will all of the Euro 2020 matches, starting with the Group Stage on June 11 through the final at Wembley Stadium in London on July 11. The tournament was pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The matches on PrendeTV will be its first live sports programming since it launched in March.

Other matches will air on Univision or appear on cable with TUDN.

“We are thrilled to be able to deliver such a prestigious property to our fanáticos by leveraging the power of Univision’s media portfolio,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of sports, Univision. “The Euro is a can’t-miss competition that captivates the entire soccer world, and we are proud to be able to make these matches easily accessible to fans in the U.S.”

PrendeTV is available free of charge across mobile and connected TV devices Amazon Fire TV, Apple (iOS and tvOS), Google (Android phones and TV devices), Roku and via the web on prende.tv.

Former Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai has joined Searchlight Capital as a partner, the investment firm said Monday.

Pai led the FCC as chairman from 2017 to 2020 under then President Donald Trump administration and first joined the Commission in 2012 after being appointed by then President Barack Obama. Prior to his FCC appointment, Pai served in various positions at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate, was a partner at the law firm of Jenner & Block and worked as in-house counsel at Verizon Communications. At Searchlight, he will focus on the company’s investments in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors.

During his tenure as chairman of the FCC, Pai helped advance major initiatives in 5G and other wireless technologies, led programs to help close the digital divide, promote innovation, protect consumers, public safety, and national security, and helped make the agency more open, transparent, and diverse. 

“TMT has always been a core focus at Searchlight and in recent years we have seen the opportunities in these sectors grow, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Searchlight founding partner Eric Zinterhofer said in a press release. “Given our strong presence in this space and Ajit’s distinguished career in the industry, we are excited to welcome him as our newest partner. His outstanding accomplishments at the FCC had a material impact on the broadband, wireless, and broadcast sectors, and his deep knowledge will be invaluable in accelerating our efforts in TMT and digital infrastructure.”

Searchlight is a global private investment firm with more than $8 billion in assets under management, with offices in New York, London, and Toronto and currently has holdings in Liberty Latin America, Univision Communications, Hemisphere Media Group, Ziply Fiber and others.

“I am excited to join the Searchlight team and help build on the firm’s demonstrated success in the technology media, and telecommunications sectors, especially with respect to digital infrastructure—an area that is essential to consumers and businesses in the United States and around the world,” Pai said in a press release. “Searchlight’s flexible investment strategy and partnership-driven approach have distinguished it from its peers, allowing the firm to capitalize on opportunities that provide value for its clients and the companies it invests in. I look forward to joining Eric, Erol, and Oliver, and contributing to the firm’s continued investment efforts.”

Univision said it has made a multi-year deal to use products and services from Google to make its media businesses more digital.

The deal includes Univision using Google’s cloud to consolidate its multiple digital distribution platforms and run production and data applications.

Univision will also take advantage of Google’s Android, Android TV OS, YouTube, Google Play, Google Ad Manager and Google Search.

Also Read: Univision and Televisa Team Up To Form Spanish-Language Media Giant

Over its eight-year life, the deal is reportedly worth $1 billion. 

"At Univision, we've set out to be the most important global Spanish-language media company, and our partnership with Google is a critical piece of our transformation," said Wade Davis, CEO of Univision. "By leveraging Google's technology platform and expertise, we will transform our infrastructure to bring our customers an enhanced media experience."

Google will also help Univision expand its growing streaming offerings, allowing the company to reach more consumers on the devices of their choice, wherever they are in the world. 

Also Read: Wade Davis, Donna Speciale Introduce New Univision to Madison Avenue

Univision will use Google Ad Manager for ad decisioning globally and Google's Dynamic Ad Insertion for its new streaming service PrendeTV and future video-on-demand offerings. 

Univision will also distribute its content and services on Google Play across Android phones and tablets, as well as Google TV and other Android TV OS devices.

Televisa is merging its content and media assets with Univision to create what they call the world’s largest Spanish-language media company.

Televisa was already a big shareholder in Univision and its top programming provider. After the transaction closes, Televisa will have a 45% stake in Televisa-Univision. 

Wade Davis, who led a buyout of Univision last year, will lead the combined company, Televisa-Univision with Televisa’s co-chief executive officer Alfonso de Angoitia serving as executive chairman of the board. 

Also Read: Univision Launches Ad-Supported Streaming Service, PrendeTV

Marcelo Laure, CEO of SoftBank International will become vice chairman of the board. Softbank helped finance the translation, leading a $1 billion Series C preferred investment, with participation from Google, The Raine Group and ForgeLight.

Televisa is kicking in $4.8 billion assets worth $4.8 billion. In exchange, It will receive $3 billion in cash, $1.5 billion in Univision equity and $300 million from other sources.

“This transformative combination brings together the leading network serving U.S. Spanish-language audiences with the leading media platform in Mexico powered by the most powerful Spanish-language content engine in the world,” said Davis. “Televisa-Univision will emerge as the leading global Spanish-language multi-media company, uniquely positioned to capture the significant market opportunity for Spanish speakers worldwide.”

Also Read: Wade Davis, Donna Speciale Introduce New Univision to Madison Avenue

“This strategic combination generates significant value for shareholders of both companies and will allow us to more efficiently reach all Spanish-language audiences with more of our programming,” said Emilio Azcárraga, executive chairman of the Televisa Board of Directors. “Together, Televisa-Univision can more aggressively pursue innovation and growth through digital platforms as the industry continues to evolve. Our new investors at the SoftBank Latin America Fund, Google and The Raine Group are just as excited about the opportunities presented by this combination.”

The new company will have a large library of owned content and production capabilities to fuel its TV platforms including the Univision and UniMas broadcast networks, nine cable networks 61 television stations and the new PrendeTV streaming service.

Televisa will also contribute its four free-to-air channels, 27 pay-TV networks channels and stations, its Videocine movie studio and Blim TV subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, and the Televisa trademark. 

Televisa will retain ownership of Izzi Telecom, Sky, and other businesses, as well as the main real estate associated with the production facilities, the broadcasting licenses and transmission infrastructure in Mexico.

News content production for Mexico will be outsourced from a company owned by the Azcárraga family to keep the news business in Mexican hands and produced by Mexico. Televisa-Univision will retain assets and library related to Televisa’s news division. 

Univision has been hampered by a large debt load. As a result of the transaction, its net debt leverage ratio is expedited to decline to about 5 times earnings, including run-rate revenue and cost synergies of $200 million to $300 million. 

The company is expected to have an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin of 45%.

The transaction is expected to close in 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals in the United States and Mexico, and Televisa shareholder approval. The Board of Directors of both Televisa and Univision have already approved the combination.

“The SoftBank Latin America Fund is proud to invest in the combination of Televisa-Univision to help create a content powerhouse that can serve the nearly 600 million Spanish-language speakers globally. With the largest and most iconic original Spanish content library in the world and access to SoftBank’s global tech ecosystem, we will help transform the new company into the leading Spanish-language multi-platform digital media company and one of the most important OTT service providers in the world,” said Marcelo Claure, CEO of SoftBank Group International and board member of Univision. ■

Verizon and Univision said they reached a multi-year deal that will add 5G viewing experiences to Liga MX soccer games televised on Univision.

The companies will also be launching TUDN Vision, a 360-degree portal that provides fans with exclusive interactive content from Liga MAX Games. Views will be able to watch a 360-degree camera angle as players and fans arrive at the stadium, the players warm up and post-match conferences.

TUDN Vision will be available starting April 17 on the TUDN mobile app or web browser in the U.S. 

“This partnership between Verizon and Univision is a great example of how 5G can be used to power fan experiences and move the future of second screen experiences forward," said John Nitti, chief media officer at Verizon. “We know how passionate soccer fans are about the sport, teams and players and this is a great opportunity to enhance the engagement for the audience."

Verizon, which was already a soccer sponsor, plans to work closely with Univision to virtualize and enhance broadcast production processes over 5G Ultra Wideband for the U.S Friendlies this fall, pending U.S. Covid-19 restrictions. Verizon and Univision will also continue to develop new immersive experiences for fans at the stadium.

“With our audience’s unrivaled passion for soccer, we’re thrilled to team with Verizon to bring our fanáticos even closer to the teams and players they love,” said Jose Luis los Arcos, VP of sports partner solutions at, Univision. “TUDN Vision will be a dynamic companion piece that will amplify the game-day experience and, along with our new enhanced analytics features, serve to elevate our award-winning coverage of Liga MX.”

Verizon will also collaborate with Univision’s TUDN on an enhanced analytics feature. This technology will utilize proprietary cameras in stadiums to capture data and superimpose AR overlays to enhance to add analytics during linear feeds.

The enhanced analytics will enable features in-game, was well as in-studio segments hosted from a custom set. 

Univision signed a deal with Combate Americas that will put 150 live television mixed martial arts events on Univision and its sports network TUDN over the next five years.

Combate's fight library will be available on PrendeTV, Univision's new streaming service. 

Univision has been airing Combate events since 2018. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal signals that the new ownership at Univision, led by CEO Wade Davis, is willing to spend on programming.

Also Read: Univision Reports 4Q Loss, Closing Books on Old Owners

“We are excited to extend our relationship and look forward to growing the Combate brand in new and innovative ways across our Univision platforms,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of sports at Univision. “With our audience’s passion for thrilling, live action, Combate has teamed with our portfolio of soccer rights to deliver a powerful one-two punch. Combate is a fast-ascending property and we are committed to delivering more events from the premier Hispanic MMA franchise to fight fans than ever before.”

Also Read: Wade Davis, Donna Speciale Introduce New Univision to Madison Avenue

For its part, Combate is rebranding itself as Combate Global as it tries to expand internationally.

“This powerful broadcast partnership will establish Combate Global as the premier MMA brand on TV in North America. Univision’s power and Combate Global’s excitement will inspire passion in a new generation of fans for this sport,” said Combate Global CEO Campbell McLaren.

Combate Global events start at midnight ET. Under the new agreement with Univision, some soccer matches will serve as lead-in programming for Combate Global events. The new strategy will connect Univision’s fans with the Combate Global brand.

Matches from Combate Global's year-end Copa Combate will appear on Univision and TUDN.

Combate Americas live event programming averaged over 400,000 Total Viewers 2 plus in the U.S., often making it the highest-rated Spanish-language program on television during its time period

ABC, CBS and Univision split the win in Tuesday prime. It was a soft night for ratings. ABC had the premiere of dog-grooming competition series Pooch Perfect, CBS had reruns and Univision had the season finale of Vencer El Desamor. Each scored a 0.4 in viewers 18-49, per the Nielsen overnights, and a 3 share. 

Pooch Perfect, hosted by Rebel Wilson, earned a 0.6 on ABC. Black-ish and Mixed-ish both scored a 0.4, Black-ish flat and Mixed-ish up a tenth, and Soul of a Nation went up a tenth to 0.3. 

CBS had reruns of NCIS, FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. 

Univision had the Vencer finale at 0.5. Te Acuerdas De Mi did a 0.4 and La Hija Del Embajador got a 0.3. All three were level with last week. 

NBC was just behind at 0.4/2. Young Rock got a 0.5 and Kenan a 0.4. A This Is Us rerun followed, before New Amsterdam got a 0.4. All new episodes were down a tenth. 

Fox and Telemundo both scored a 0.3/2. Fox had reruns of The Resident and The Masked Singer. 

Telemundo had Exatlon Estados Unidos, La Suerte De Loli and Buscando A Frida all at a level 0.3. 

The CW scored a 0.2/1. The Flash earned a flat 0.2 and the season starter for Supergirl got a 0.1. It is the sixth and final season for Supergirl.

Univision Communications, acquired by an investor group led by former Viacom CFO Wade Davis, reported a loss for the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter loss was $39.1 million, compared to net income of $94.4 million a year ago.

Also Read: Wade Davis, Donna Speciale Introduce New Univision to Madison Avenue

Revenue rose 4.3% to $722.9 million. Advertising revenue rose from $692 million. 

Operating income fell to $72.3 million from $163 million a year ago.

The company said that transaction costs of $59.8 million related to the company’s previous owners and non- cash impairment charges of $55.2 million and a loss on the sale of assets  contributed to the loss. 

Advertising revenue rose 8.4% to $434.8 million, including $71.6 million in political advertising. Core ad revenue was down 7.3% to $363.2 million.

Television ad revenue rose 7.2% to $335.1 million, including $50.2 million in political spending. Core TV ad revenue fell 7.2% to $284.9 million.

“Univision finished the year delivering impressive operating and financial results and positioning it to begin fully realizing the power of our continuing role as the leading Spanish Language media company in the U.S.” said Davis, now Univision’s CEO.

Also Read: Univision’s PrendeTV to Launch With Key Sponsors

“We are carrying this momentum into 2021 and we will begin unlocking the enormous potential of Univision. We expect to drive meaningful near term growth by optimizing our core businesses and at the same time we will be evolving for the future by investing in our people, content, products and platforms to capture the huge and growing market opportunity to serve Spanish speakers across the U.S.," Davis said.

Univision has launched its new ad-supported streaming service, PrendeTV.

The Spanish-language broadcaster’s new free-to-consumer platform includes 40 channels and more than 10,000 hours of VOD content from Univison and Televisa, as well as programming partners including Banijay, Blue Ant Media, Calinos, Caracol, Cisneros, Filmrise, Globo, Nelvana and RCN.

The service also launches with national brand sponsors including Chase, Clorox, Coca-Cola, Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Toyota, Universal Pictures, Verizon and Walmart.

Distribution includes support on Amazon Fire TV devices, as well as gadgets from Google (Android TV and Android mobile) and Apple (Apple TV and iOS mobile). Roku is coming online in the coming weeks, Univision said. 

“The launch of PrendeTV signals a new transformation era for Univision as we expand our already dominant position in U.S. hispanic broadcasting into the AVOD streaming market and build on our leadership as the largest Spanish-language content and media company in the U.S.,” said Pierluigi Gazzolo, president and chief transformation officer at Univision, in a statement. “Anchored by our exclusive Univision and Televisa programming, we’ve brought together the best content providers, brands and distribution partners to create an unrivaled service for U.S. Hispanics in a way that only Univision can.”

Univision was acquired late last year by a group of investors including former Viacom CFO Wade Davis. 

Ahead of its May upfront presentation, the new management team last week presented itself to Madison Avenue, billing Univision as “America’s Hispanic Super Brand.” 

Univision said that hispanic consumers over-index in streaming usage and reflect 19% of the total U.S. population with 63 million people and a GDP of $2.1 trillion. 

Univision’s new leaders introduced “America’s Hispanic Super Brand” to Madison Avenue Wednesday, promising more programming, more reach and more platforms.

The Spanish-language media company was acquired at the end of last year by an investment group led by Wade Davis, the former CFO at Viacom. Both Davis and new ad sales president Donna Speciale offered greetings in both Spanish and English during a virtual presentation.

“I want you to see the incredible opportunities I saw in this business and this audience when I decided to put everything I had into Univision," Davis said.

Also Read: Univision Joins Project OAR to Define Addressable Standards

Davis said he plans to “amplify and modernize” Univision with new platforms and new solutions. His agenda was to provide advertisers with more reach, more places and more tools to engage the Hispanic audience, he said.

“We’re going to be making investments in content that Spanish-language television has never seen in the U.S., and maybe the world. More on that in the coming week[s],” Davis said, alluding to Univision’s upfront presentation in May.

“We are going to be taking Univision from the leader in the U.S. Hispanic market to be the global leader in Spanish-language media,” he added.

Davis noted that at Viacom, he helped launch its Advanced Marketing Solutions unit.

“Many of the successes, failures and learning informed my decision to go all in on Univision . . .to unlock the power of this platform and this audience for you all,” he said. “We’re building this platform for you and we want you to be on the journey with is form day one as a company.”

Davis also talked about his new management team, including Speciale, who Davis noted had been an advanced advertising pioneer as president for advertising at Turner Broadcasting.

Speciale noted that she’d been on the job for just 10 weeks, but was already out there pitching.

“Our audience is growing. Our content is growing. Our footprint is growing and our marketing capabilities are growing. So our message today amount to a simple invitation: grow with us,” Speciale said.

Univision’s footprint expands next week with the launch of Prende TV, its free-ad supported streaming service. Univision also bought Vix and that makes the company “the only destination for Spanish language streaming in this country,” she said.

Prende TV offers will launch with 45 channels and 30,000 hours of content. Univision expects it to have 100 channels by year end. The company will be investing $100 million in marketing on Prende TV.

For advertisers, Prende TV offers non-skippable targeted ads and frequency management, Speciale said. Advertisers including McDonald’s, Dunkin’, Clorox, Toyota, Chase, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Lilly and Walmart have already signed up,she said.

Speciale also noted that she recently hired two of her former Turner colleagues, Dan Riess and Dan Aversano to build the company’s advanced advertising and branded content capabilities.

Ahead of the upfront, Speciale told advertisers that Univision and big events in the second and third quarter they could sponsor, including a Latin Grammy’s Honors Women special on Mothers Day, a pop-up concert in May, the Premios Juventud youth awards this summer and tons of soccer, with almost 100 matches in 90 days.

Special also said that Univison’s morning show, Despierta América, will be starting a Sunday edition.

Speciale noted that there are about 1,900 advertisers on English-language network TV and only about 400 of them advertising to the Hispanic audience in their language.

“Marketing to the HIspanic audience has to be a business imperative, not a nice to have,” she said. “Partnering with Univision is the easiest way to make it happen.”