Spanish language network WAPA America is scheduled to debut two Puerto Rican reality shows – Idol Puerto Rico and Idol Kids beginning July 29.
Idol Puerto Rico, co-produced by WAPA America and Freemantle Media – producers of the original American Idol – follows the same format of the U.S,-based show but with Puerto Rican talent. Idol Kids is a kids version of the U.S. show, featuring the best young singers in Puerto Rico between the ages of 6 and 12.
Idol Puerto Rico will debut on WAPA America, the cable arm of Puerto Rico broadcaster WAPA Television, July 29 at 9 p.m. (ET), with a special edition on July 30 (9 p.m. ET). Idol Kids will premiere on Sunday, August 4 at 8 p.m. (ET). WAPA America is available in about 5 million U.S. homes on all major cable, satellite and telco TV providers.
“Idol Puerto Rico has been the most ambitious and successful series to air in Puerto Rico’s history and we are thrilled to be the first network to make the Idol format available to Hispanic audiences in the United States in their native language,” said Jose E. Ramos, President of WAPA Television in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity for advertisers to reach the millions of U.S. Latino fans of this highly-successful series.”
Judges for the 2013 edition of Idol Puerto Rico include Puerto Rican music producer and television host Topy Mamery, Latin Grammy-winning Dominican Merengue music sensation Milly Quezada, and chart-topping Mexican/Argentinian musician Noel Schajris. Television personality Jaime Mayol will host the show for the third consecutive year.
Among Idol Kids judges are singer/songwriter Kany García, singer/actress/dancer Ana Isabelle, and former boy-band “Menudo” creator Edgardo Diaz. Puerto Rican actress and model Karla Monroig will host the show.
The first editions of both Idol Puerto Rico and Idol Kids will feature auditions from throughout the island. Once the finalists have been chosen, viewers will be able to watch the live performances broadcast from the Fine Arts Center in Caguas, Puerto Rico (Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas). For the first time, U.S. viewers will be able to vote to keep their favorite contestants in the competition.
Idol Puerto Rico will air every Monday at 9 p.m. ET and Idol Kids will air on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET, exclusively on both WAPA America in the U.S. and on WAPA Television in Puerto Rico.
