NUVOtv, the English-language network with entertainment programming geared towards a Latino audience, unveiled several new and returning series at its upfronts presentation, which was held Monday night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
The network cited two major factors for its continued development: last year's addition of Jennifer Lopez as Chief Creative Officer, and this year's acquisition of Fuse, which is available in more than 73 million homes.
“Last year was a great year of change for NUVOtv. We relaunched the network, we infused new creative energy with our partnership with Jennifer Lopez, we added a ton of high quality culturally-relevant programming and, yes, we bought the Fuse cable network,” said Craig A. Geller, Senior Vice President, Ad Sales.
The network’s partnership with Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions has led to the addition of Los Jets, a documentary series about a high school soccer team, and Sensation (wt), a competition show which aims to find a Latino star with singing, dancing and acting abilities. Los Jets is scheduled to premiere July 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
NUVOtv also partnered with Mario Lopez’s Gordo Productions for the new series Tequila King, which follows Mexican entrepreneur Eric Buccio’s launch of his Casa Mexico tequila brand in the U.S.
Geller also commented on NUVOtv's commitment to evolving its distribution platform.
“On this front, I have two announcements,” Geller said, “First, the redesign of Mynuvotv.com to make it stickier, more dynamic and advertiser friendly, as well as the launch of our new TV Everywhere app so we can give our audience what they want on their laptops, tablets and phones whenever, however, and wherever they are.”
The network also detailed the return of comedy series Stand Up & Deliver, as well as music series such as Love & Salsa, A Step Away, Mario Lopez: One on Oneand The Collective.
Michael Schwimmer, CEO of NUVOtv, emphasized that the network did not shift its focus away from its Latino audience as a result of its relaunch.
“Latinos have now become a powerful economic engine and a cultural change agent in our country, a vast and growing series of consumers that is more educated, more affluent and more demanding of quality content that affects their central role in our society, and not just those stereotypes,” said Michael Schwimmer, CEO. “We’re not shifting from our core Latino focus to a broader millenial target. We’re staying with our original mission, focusing on a young, multicultural Latino and, yes, millenial consumer. That group is growing leaps and bounds and advertisers need to reach [them].”
