New York -- Building its program lineup, startup Sí TV has acquired three shows -- Showtime’s Resurrection Blvd., PBS’ American Family and The WB Television Network’s Greetings from Tucson --and it is adding five additional original shows to its schedule, officials said Monday.
At its first upfront here, just two-and-a-half months after its February launch, English-language, Latino-themed network Sí TV unveiled its rather aggressive plans to produce original programming throughout the year, as well as off-network fare.
The channel -- which debuted with 50% original and 50% acquired shows -- will now have the basic-cable premieres of Resurrection Blvd., American Family and Greetings from Tucson,according to cofounder and chairman Jeff Valdez.
Sí TV will also add five new original shows to its roster:
• Urban Jungle, which bows June 6, is a reality show that features what Valdez described as nine “WASPy” kids being brought to live with a Mexican-American family in the barrio in Los Angeles.
• I Can’t Believe It’s Cinema is comprised of snippets of campy old Mexican movies that have been edited together with new, scripted English voiceovers.
• Inside Joke offers profiles of young comics.
• Brought to You By…takes a behind-the-scenes look at commercials.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner features a comedian-host interviewing people at eateries around the country.
Sí TV’s target demographic is 18- through 34-year-old Hispanics, with the goal of also attracting young African Americans, as well crossing over to Anglo audiences.
“The market is about Spanish and English,” Valdez said.
In his presentation to media buyers, Valdez stressed his and his company’s roots as producers of programming, including Nickelodeon hit The Brothers Garcia.“We’re programmers: That’s what we do,” Valdez said.
Sí TV debuted with several original shows, including relationship show The Rub and music show The Drop. It had also acquired New York Undercover and Malcolm & Eddie.
The channel is now in 7.7 million homes, with distribution deals with EchoStar Communications Corp., Time Warner Cable, Comcast Corp. and Cox Communications Inc.
EchoStar and Time Warner are also among a group that has invested $60 million in Sí TV, along with Syndicated Communications Ventures and Sí TV co-founder Barshop Ventures.
