New York -- Univision Communications has made a strategic investment in the El Rey Network, led by filmmaker Robert Rodgriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids) and Factory Media. The general-entertainment, English-language service targeting young adults is scheduled to launch in December on Comcast systems.
Noting Univision's partnerships with ABC and Participant Media, Univision president Cesar Conde introduced the "new partnership" with El Rey at the company's upfront presentation to advertisers here and introduced Rodriguez, who touted a series for the programming service based on his film From Dusk Til Dawn, among other programming.
El Rey Network is one of four multicultural networks supported by Comcast under the merger conditions that allowed it to assume control of NBCUniversal.
As the lead curators of content for El Rey Network, Rodriguez and FactoryMade will pursue a mix of reality, scripted and animated series, movies, music and sports programming. Univision Communications will be responsible for the back office operations, sales and distribution of the network. Financial details and Univision's level of investment were not disclosed.
The move follows the news Monday that former Hearst executive Scott Sassa has been named vice chairman and Antoinette Alfonso Zel will serve as the chief marketing officer of El Rey Network.
"Our partnership in El Rey Network is a testament to Univision's culture of innovation, the power of our brand to live in both languages, and our constant quest to ensure we remain the ultimate resource for all Hispanics' tastes and preferences. As we continue to grow, evolve and expand into new frontiers, Univision remains the one and only gateway to U.S. Hispanic audiences," said Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications Inc.
