Hispanic-themed entertainment service El Rey Network Monday named former Telemundo executive Antoinette Alfonso Zel as its new CEO.
Zel, formerly senior executive vice president for Network Strategy at Spanish-language service Telemundo Network, will oversee operations for the upstart network, which is expected to launch in fourth quarter 2013.
El Rey Network, founded by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, is one of four multicultural networks supported by Comcast under the merger conditions that allowed it to assume control of NBCUniversal.
"We are very excited to bring Antoinette onboard as El Rey's CEO," said iconic filmmaker and El Rey founder Robert Rodriguez in a statement. "Antoinette's remarkable track record in network management and her passion for youth culture and creative vision uniquely positions her to lead El Rey as it creates compelling images and inspiring stories that speak to America's young Latino and mainstream audiences."
Zel said in a statement that the independent network "will embrace a critical audience of young Americans, who will for the first time be part of a major brand and social entertainment network made for them and by them."
