NBC Universo's Debut Ties Super Bowl with Diverse Slate

NBC Universo tranforms from mun2 at 1 a.m. on Feb. 1, with the Spanish-language network serving up a diverse slate on its opening day, highlighted by its presentation of Super Bowl XLIX.

The 40-million subscriber network, which has reached an affiliate accord for DirecTV to become the first distributor to carry it in the high-definition format, dawns its new era with Bienvenidos a NBC Universo, a half-hour special that gives viewers a taste of what’s on the air and what will come down the road. The program will encore after the conclusion of the NFL championship game, as NBC Universo becomes the second Spanish-language cable outlet to televise a Super Bowl, following Fox Deportes' presentation last year.

Following the post-game airing of Bienvenidos a NBC Universo, the network, bolstered by a freeview expanding its reach to 74 million homes on Sunday, will air a special preview of its first new acquired series of the re-launched network. Crónica de Castas is nine-episode fictional drama series filmed in the small, impoverished neighborhood of Tepito in Mexico City. The series follows the lives of polarizing characters whose stories revolve around the local Hotel Galicia, where nothing is as it seems. This marks the pay TV debut of the series in the U.S., which is slated to run in full later this winter.

The coming out party for the network features a host of Super Bowl-related programming, and a couple of hours of Larrymania, the network’s venue for Larry Hernandez. The multi-award-winning artist will bring a fourth season to the network of his show in which he attempts to balance his lift as father, son, partner and high-profile celebrity.

Underlining the network’s enhanced emphasis on sports, which will see it carry FIFA World Cup, Olympics, NASCAR and other action, NBC Universo will showcase the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at 8:25 a.m. (Check out the day’s full schedule below.)

In line with its mission to bring Latinos must-see live events and continuing its delivery of hot music offerings, NBC Universo will present “Festival Viña del Mar” – a top music festival in Latin America, featuring some of the most-renowned artists in the world. Live from Chile, the event begins on Feb. 22, streaming online at nbcuniverso.com. Details regarding its TV telecast will be announced at a later date.

“We’ve promised Latinos high-quality programming, masterful storytelling and the best sports presented in culturally relevant ways,” said Rubén Mendiola, president, NBC Universo. “Our new programming is just the first step in delivering on this promise to our Latino viewers, as well as building a rich platform for distributors and advertisers to reach an important portion of the population with growing influence.”

NBC Universo Feb. 1 Lineup

1:00am – Bienvenidos a NBC UNIVERSO

1:30am – Operacion Repo

2:00am – Sabor Al Super Bowl

3:00am – Fugitivos De La Ley

4:00am – Fugitivos De La Ley

5:00am – Fugitivos De La Ley

6:00am – Larrymania

7:00am – Larrymania

8:00am – Universo: Amanecer

8:25am – Premier League – Arsenal vs Aston Vila

10:30am – Universo: NOW