Dish Network has rolled out Univision tlnovelas, the first of four new cable networks being launched by the U.S. Hispanic media leader this spring.
Featuring a mix of current and library novelas from Univision's vast archives, Univision tlnovelas is now available to DishLatinos customers. The network will be flanked by an online website at www.univisiontlnovelas.com for women to connect on issues and topics explored in the novelas and that are close to their hearts. Fans can also engage with the new network on Univision Novelas' forums , on Twitter via @unitlnovelas and on facebook.com/unitlnovelas.
The network's bow is part of a far-reaching affiliation deal Univision struck with the nation's No. 3 distributor in January. As part of the agreement, terms of which were not disclosed, Dish will also become the first distributor to carry dedicated sports and news services, Univision Deportes and Univision Noticias. Another network sports service, Univision Deportes Dos, will be exclusive to Dish subs during 2012. All three of those networks are slated to bow during the first half of the year, according to a Univision spokeswoman.
"We are thrilled to unveil Univision tlnovelas, a network dedicated to the novela phenomenon which has transcended decades and generations as one of the most watched genres on television and continues to have mass appeal across all age groups," said Jessica Rodriguez, senior vice president of Univision Cable Networks in a statement. "This network will attract the novela fan at all levels, from novela addicts to closet viewers, who for the first time will have access to a replay of the most popular, romantic stories of all time, available at one destination."
In what will be its fist authenticated partnership, Univision is developing "TV Everywhere" applications for tlnovelas -- and the other services-- that will be available to verified Dish subscribers at a later juncture.
"We are pleased to have reached a multi-platform, multi-year agreement with Univision for their newest channels, including their award-winning novelas on this new linear channel, Univision tlnovelas," noted Dish senior vice president of Programming Dave Shull. "These novelas and thousands of hours of other Univision content will be available on demand on TVs, PCs and mobile devices for our customers."
Coming out of the gate, the Univision tlnovelas lineup includes:
6:00 p.m. (ET) - "Esmeralda" (Emerald) - Starring Leticia Calderón and novela heart-throb Fernando Colunga, this is a story of switched destinies. Two babies are born, but the obsessive desire for a male heir and a trick of destiny causes their lives to change. The boy who was born in a miserable shack opens his eyes to the opulence of a mansion; and the beautiful little girl who was born to a silken crib takes her first steps inside the corrugated walls of poverty. The little girl, Esmeralda, is born blind, but years later, she meets the boy and they fall in love, but the secrets of the past threaten to keep them apart.
7:00 p.m. - "Palabra de Mujer" (A Woman's Word) - Starring Edith González, Ludwika Paleta, Yadhira Carrilo and Lidia Avila. Vanesa approaches her friend Delia to help her establish a production company to produce quality programming for women with Fernanda, Paulina, Matilde and Irmita supporting the business venture. The television program they seek to create becomes the motivation that Vanesa needs to rebuild her life after Julian, her husband of 22 years, leaves her for a younger woman. The show they produce, Palabra de Mujer, follows the interconnected lives of these four women from varied social backgrounds in Mexico City and how they leverage their professional success to gain control of their personal lives that have spiraled out of control.
8:00 p.m. - "Yo Amo a Juan Querendón" (I Love Irresistible Juan) - Eduardo Santamarina plays the decidedly un-dashing Juan Querendón. This leading man isn't rich, isn't very handsome, and doesn't dress well, but all the ladies love him for his kind heart and "colorful" ways. Juan holds women in very high esteem. He considers them the most beautiful creatures on the face of the Earth, nature's masterpiece, to be respected and worshipped like goddesses. As a result, he falls madly in love with them all, and they with him. One misadventure leads to another, but one thing is clear from the start: viewers find Juan Querendón irresistible, too.
9:00 p.m. - "Huracan" (Hurricane) - The late Eduardo Palomo and the beautiful Angélica Rivera star in this story set in the beautiful Mexican port of Mazatlán. Helena and Ulises vowed to love each other forever, carving their names on a rock by the sea. They never suspected that because of a juvenile mistake, destiny would drive them apart and change their lives completely.
10:00 p.m. - "Rosa Salvaje" (Wild Rose) - The classic story of a young girl who goes from rags to riches, twice. Rosa marries into a wealthy family, but leaves her husband when she learns that he only married her to spite his sisters and refuses to accept any alimony. To her surprise, Rosa is reunited with her long-lost mother, an upper-class woman, and becomes extremely wealthy. The novela stars Veronica Castro, Guillermo Capetillo, and Laura Zapata.
11:00 p.m. - "Niña Amada Mía" (My Beloved Little Girl) - Starring Karyme Lozano and the dashing Sergio Goyri. Don Clemente is a rich landowner who has been widowed for some time. When he decides to remarry, the three daughters he has raised since infancy suspect their new stepmother is only after their father's fortune. Soon all three daughters must make life changing decisions of whether to follow their hearts or obey their loving but strict father's wishes.
