NBC Universo has expanded its universe of successful English-language primetime series that can now be viewed on the network enespañol.
The network will air Heroes, the sci-fi drama that aired from 2006 to 2010 on NBC, at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays as of Nov. 18. Heroes is meant to complement reality show Superhermanos du Stan Lee,which will air back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. NBC Universo describes Superhermanos as “a daring series that showcases people from around the world with real life super powers.”
The show, which airs on History in English as Stan Lee’s Superhumans, is “hosted” by comic-book icon Lee and contortionist Daniel Browning Smith; audio is dubbed into Spanish.
“Featuring a diverse cast, Heroes is an iconic series that incorporates elements of fantasy and action that resonates with our Latino viewers,” NBC Universo vice president of program acquisitions and sourcing Jorge Balleste said in a statement. “We are pleased to add this series to our programming lineup alongside Superhumanos de Stan Lee as we continue to solidify our sci-fi offerings.”
The network also said it will soon add its first Zombinovela to its lineup, with dubbed-in-Spanish episodes of AMC’s megahit The Walking Dead — basic cable’s highest-rated scripted series — set to appear on the network early next year. NBC Universo will begin airing episodes from seasons 1 through 3.
And fans of the irreverent long-running Comedy Central animated series South Park can now follow the adventures of Stan, Kyle, Cartman and others in Spanish on NBC Universo. The series has aired at 10 p.m. on Monday nights since Oct. 26.
“By adding South Park to our already bold programming lineup, NBC Universo is going where no other Spanish cable network has gone before,” NBC Universal vice president of programming Arelys Carballo said in a prepared statement. “South Park adds an exciting twist to our lineup.”
The arrival of more shows bilingual and English-dominant viewers have likely had access to in English for years comes following the Oct. 20 addition of FX’s Prison Break with all-Spanish dialogue to the NBC Universo lineup.
Interestingly, the acquisition of The Walking Dead is the final programming move NBC Universo president Rubén Mendiola made for the network.
Mendiola has left amid a restructuring at NBCUniversal that gives Telemundo president Luis Silberwasser additional duties as head of NBC Universo. Mendiola was named president of NBC Universo in May 2014 and was charged with the network’s transition from mun2.
“We have decided to adjust our cable network’s structure in line with traditional cable channels operating within a portfolio and to ensure we are best positioned for future growth,” NBC Universo said in a statement. “We thank Ruben for all his dedication, passion and hard work in building NBC Universo from the ground up. We appreciate very much all he has done for the company and wish him the best in his next projects.”
