A Hispanic-focused YouTube network has partnered with Spanish-language pay TV network Discovery Familia in an arrangement that brings some of the most popular online fare to la pantalla chica.
MiTu, a Culver City, Calif.-based digital media enterprise focused on video content, announced November 12 that it had forged a cross-platform programming deal to bring Latino talent to Discovery Familia’s TV and digital audiences.
The arrangement allows Discovery Familia to add the long-format version of two new online series featured on MiTu to its lineup. Casa Linda, featuring Mexican home design expert and professional art director Linda Ruiz, bows Nov. 20 at the 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on Discovery Familia. In each episode, Ruiz comes to the rescue of design-challenged individuals with quick and affordable suggestions for adding style and beauty to their homes.
A second show set to debut Dec. 12 on Discovery Familia is Gurús de Belleza, starring beauty and fashion influencers Marisol Gomez, Cris Ordaz and Gaby Motomochi. Both shows were originally produced in-house and incubated on MiTú’s YouTube channel, MiTú Life.
“At Discovery Familia we are committed to being at the forefront of the evolving media landscape,” Discovery Familia vice president of content Bilai Joa Silar said. “With this strategic partnership, we have the opportunity to continue to expand our content offering, leveraging up and coming MiTú talent and reaching our audience with storytelling that travels across platforms.”
New episodes of the digital series will continue to run on MiTú Life, while original episodes of the television series will air weekly on Discovery Familia, both tied with a cross-platform engagement program that provides viewers with a truly immersive multiscreen experience.
MiTu in June raised $10 million in funding from its investors, including lead investor Upfront Ventures. The funding will allow MiTu to build production facilities in Southern California and in Mexico City, in addition to hiring additional engineering and sales staff. MiTu was founded in 2012 by a team that includes Beatriz Acevedo, known for a nearly 20-year run as founder/president of multicultural production firm HIP Entertainment Group.
