Univision Seeks out New Audience, Content with UVideos

On Friday, Univision, the largest Hispanic network in the US, and one of the five largest networks in the Country announced that it will be launching UVideos, an exclusive video network. The network will feature video content from Univision's television networks and will be accessible via game consoles, smartphones, tablets and Internet-enabled TVs. More importantly, the service will enable users to catch up on Univision's programs, not only in Spanish, but also in English.

The biggest feature to be available on UVideos will be new "Webnovelas," serialized programs. As Univision Networks President Cesar Conde states, "Webnovelas" are natural extensions of "Telenovelas," Univision's most popular programming. Most Telenovelas run over 100 hourly episodes and are broadcast throughout the day on all major Latino Networks. There are plans for three Webnovelas which will feature some of Latin America's biggest stars. Two of the programs will feature TV and Film Actress Kate Del Castillo, who is set star and make her directorial debut in "Tuya," a webnovela will based on her best-selling book by the same title. She will also work on a romantic comedy exclusively for UVideos.There is currently no information on the third Webnovela. Filming on all three is set to start later this year. 

In addition to its own innovations, Univision Networks has partnered with numerous other companies in efforts to reach a wider audience. One Monday, Univision announced a partnership with US Broadcasting Company ABC to launch an English-language News Channel. Furthermore, Univision Communications has announced a partnership with AT&T that will enable users of the mobile provider to stream live content in and out of the house from the network's channels (Univision, Galavision, Telefutura) and select movie channels (De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson and Telehit).

Finally, Univision also made the announcement that it will continue to air the Latin Grammy's for the next decade.

Univision has long been one of the top five networks in the US and often beats out one of the top four English-language networks in the 18-34 demographic.