A leading lady of Telemundo’s afternoon will stay in place for a few more years, as Al Rojo Vivo anchor and editorial director María Celeste Arrarás has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises network.
“María Celeste’s professionalism, determination and charisma have been essential to the growth of our network and its news department,” Telemundo executive vice president of network news Luis Fernandez said. “In her years with the network, María Celeste has forged a close relationship with audiences and her name has become synonymous with Noticias Telemundo. I am honored and proud to announce that she will continue to be a part of our family.”
The new deal between Telemundo and Arrarás comes as Al Rojo Vivo debuts virtual reality technology, augmented reality, robotic cameras and a cutting-edge LED lighting system — the first Spanish-language TV program in the U.S. to use such technology.
“Years ago I took a chance on Telemundo becoming the No. 1 network in Hispanic television, and that bet has paid off,” Arrarás said. “I am honored that the network’s executives have continued to give me their vote of confidence and to support my career. I am ready to focus all of my energies on this new era of Al Rojo Vivo and to go back to being the show’s editorial director, a responsibility l had to delegate to others in order to collaborate with Noticiero Telemundo.”
To concentrate on Al Rojo Vivo, which will be celebrating its 15th anniversary on the air in 2017, Arrarás will leave her role as co-anchor of Noticiero Telemundo following the U.S. presidential election.
Arrarás’s contract extension comes as Telemundo makes two other key appointments that involve women:
• Ingrid Sanchez Graham has joined Telemundo as senior vice president of creative operations. She had served as VP of busIness operations at Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic and will drive the operational development, management and execution of creative shared services and manage departmental budgets. Based in Miami, she will report to senior VP of marketing and creative Aileen Angulo-Merciel.
• Debra Juarez was named vice president of digital at co-owned Telemundo station WSCV and NBC station WTVJ in Miami. Most recently news director at NBC O&O WMAQ Chicago since 2011, she spent seven years in Miami as a producer and executive producer at WCKT/WSVN from 1983 to 1990.
