No. 1 Spanish-Language Sports Network and Multi-Platform Brand to
Adopt New Identity This Summer, Introduce World-Class Content Slate and
All-Star Talent Lineup
New Live Soccer Services TUDNxtra and Zona Futbol Will Heighten
Experience for Pay-TV Subscribers This Fall
MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Univision Communications Inc., the leading Hispanic media company in the
U.S., today raises the bar for Spanish-language sports media with the
evolution of its Univision Deportes multi-platform sports brand and
leading cable network into ‘TUDN’. With this bold new identity,
the most fervent soccer fanáticos on the planet will know: Vivimos
TU Pasion. We live YOUR passion.
Under the TUDN brand (“Your Sports Network” in English), Univision will
continue to deliver more live soccer than any other U.S. media company
while offering a richer and more engaging experience through new
world-class programming, all-star talent and enhanced production
capabilities.
The dynamic sports media brand will debut this summer, with the
rebranding of Univision’s No. 1 Spanish-language sports network as the
flagship TUDN channel. The TUDN brand and channel will debut in Mexico
simultaneously as part of a collaboration between the sports divisions
of Univision and Grupo Televisa. The effort will elevate and expand
coverage for audiences in both the U.S. and Mexico by bringing together
the best programming and talent from each nation.
“Univision has long been the industry leader in high-quality live
soccer, and this collaboration represents another major step forward,”
said Univision Chief Executive Officer Vince Sadusky. “Simply put, we
are delivering on our viewers’ passion for soccer by giving them more of
the content they love through an enhanced television and digital
experience.”
“This year, Univision will account for more than half of all soccer
viewership – and more than 80% in primetime,” said Univision President
of Sports Juan Carlos Rodriguez. “Our flagship sports network regularly
delivers greater viewership than English-language competitors with
greater distribution, exemplifying the passion our community has for the
beautiful game. Under this new powerhouse brand, we are excited to grow
our leadership and super-serve soccer fanáticos with the
highest-quality programming and insight from an A-List roster of
experts.”
Univision’s portfolio of networks – TUDN, Univision, UniMás and
Galavisión – will continue to deliver an unmatched selection of live
soccer in the U.S., including the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, Euro 2020,
Liga MX, MLS, the U.S. and Mexican men’s and women’s national teams,
UEFA Champions League and more.
In addition to television, the TUDN brand will reach sports fans through
the TUDN Radio Network, the TUDN mobile app and TUDN.com. Visitors to
the website and app will find Spanish-language news, analysis, scores,
highlights and schedules, as well as live streaming capabilities for
authenticated TUDN subscribers.
Distributors to Offer Even More Soccer
With the launch of TUDN, Univision will introduce a suite of additional
live soccer offerings later this year in conjunction with its
distribution partners at no additional cost to viewers. These brand
extensions will maximize the value of Univision’s robust live rights
portfolio, provide incremental value to distribution partners and allow
soccer enthusiasts to further immerse themselves in the beautiful game.
-
TUDNxtra: Subscribers to participating pay-TV services in the
U.S. will now have easy, live access to all of TUDN’s exclusive soccer
matches through TUDNxtra. This package will offer soccer fans a wealth
of additional top-flight competition throughout the year, with
hundreds of exclusive matches from UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa
League, the UEFA European Qualifiers and Liga MX, the most-watched
soccer league in the U.S.
-
Zona Futbol: With matches taking place between top clubs all
over Europe, it’s virtually impossible for soccer fans to catch every
goal or big play in real-time on a UEFA Champions League or UEFA
Europa League match day. That’s where Zona Futbol comes in. This new
“whip-around” show offers the ultimate soccer viewing experience to
pay-TV subscribers in the U.S., delivering the best action from
concurrent Group Stage matches as it happens. Top TUDN talent will
guide viewers from game to game across the continent with key context
and expert analysis.
Subscribers to TUDN through participating pay-TV services will have
access to this wealth of content through the TUDN app on a wide range of
devices, as well as through their set-top box, at no additional charge.
One major pay-TV provider has already signed on to carry both TUDNxtra
and Zona Futbol, with more agreements expected in the coming months.
Both services are slated to launch at the start of the 2019-2020 UEFA
Champions League season in September.
TUDN to Introduce New Content, Talent
Building on the success of Univision’s No. 1 Spanish-language sports
network, the flagship TUDN network will continue to present
already-popular content and personalities while also introducing U.S.
audiences to new top-tier programming and talent.
New content offerings will include:
-
Acción (Sundays, 4:00pm ET): The top plays and
highlights of the week, packed into one hour. A fast-paced
highlights-only show that covers all sports and summarizes the week’s
can’t-miss action. -
+Deporte (Monday through Friday, 3:00pm ET;
Sundays, 11:00am ET): A fresh, real-time look at the state of sports
from the U.S., Mexico and around the world, including soccer, NFL, NBA
and MLB; enriched with live reporting from training grounds as teams
prepare for their next games. -
La Jugada (Sundays, 12:00am ET): The best weekend sports
magazine on television. The place to relive the most important events
and news of the weekend, mixed with interviews, in-depth reports and
profiles from around the world of sports. Includes sections dedicated
to key sports, including soccer, NFL, MLB, NBA and more. -
@TUTribuna (Monday through Friday, 9:00pm ET): The
sports social media show where fans are part of the action. Top TUDN
talent examine the latest social media trends and interact with sports
personalities and fans through different platforms. -
Versus (Mondays, 10:00pm ET): In-depth discussion that
goes beyond the headlines. An agenda-setting sports editorial program
that takes fans deeper, and the place where newsmakers come to share
their perspectives.
Returning fan favorites include República Deportiva, Contacto
Deportivo, Fútbol Club and Línea de 4. In addition to being
the Home of Soccer, TUDN will also offer enhanced coverage and analysis
of properties like the NFL, NBA, MLB and boxing.
More than 20 personalities will debut, including:
-
Francisco J. Gonzalez: In addition to serving as head of the
editorial board for TUDN, Gonzalez is an influential sports columnist
who has covered the World Cup, Olympic Games and all Mexican soccer
competitions. -
Antonio “Toño” de Valdés: As one of the faces of Mexican sports
television since 1978, Toño has called and covered Olympic Games,
World Cups, Super Bowls and World Series. -
Alejandro de la Rosa: An experienced journalist who spent the
first 14 years of his career at ESPN, de la Rosa brings tremendous
experience covering both European and Mexican soccer to his new team
at TUDN. -
Francisco “Kikin” Fonseca: Blessed with extraordinary
charisma and two Liga MX championships, Fonseca will deliver
compelling analysis of TUDN’s top soccer properties for a range of
programs and live telecasts. -
Valeria Marin: A newspaper reporter turned broadcaster, Marin
joins TUDN after spending the past six years of her career as a
leading personality at Fox Deportes. The experienced host and reporter
will contribute to TUDN’s coverage of the NFL, NBA, MLB and soccer. -
Emanuel “Tito” Villa: A recently retired soccer star, Villa’s
career lasted more than 15 years and included stretches in both Liga
MX and the English Premier League. Now, he will provide insight into
the sport’s top players and teams for TUDN. -
Enrique Burak: One of the Fonoteca Nacional’s “Voices of
Mexican Sport,” the prolific sportscaster has been calling the world’s
biggest sporting events for more than 35 years. His repertoire ranges
from the NFL, MLB and NBA to sports like track and field, gymnastics,
diving, swimming, bowling, tennis and rowing. -
Guillermo “Memo” Schutz: A versatile host, commentator and
journalist, Schutz will contribute to TUDN’s coverage of multiple
sports, including soccer and boxing. He has worked World Cups, Olympic
Games, Pan-American Games, Super Bowls, World Series and NBA Finals. -
Moises Muñoz: A recently retired veteran of Liga MX and the
Mexican National Team, Muñoz joins TUDN after covering the 2018 FIFA
World Cup for Fox Sports. The bilingual broadcaster will provide
analysis and commentary in both Spanish and English. -
Oswaldo Sanchez: As one of the top Mexican goalkeepers of
all-time, Sanchez will bring unmatched credibility to his analysis of
top soccer properties, including Liga MX and the Mexican National Team.
Familiar faces under the TUDN brand will include Adriana Monsalve,
Lindsay Casinelli, Enrique Bermudez, Luis Omar Tapia, Ivan Zamorano,
Marc Crosas, Diego Balado, Francisco Villa, Hristo Stoichkov, Tony
Cherchi, Ana Caty Hernandez and Lucia Villalon and many more.
About TUDN
TUDN is the multimedia sports division of Univision Communications
Inc., the leading Hispanic media company in the U.S. Built around the
flagship TUDN cable network, the nation’s No. 1 Spanish-language sports
channel, TUDN reaches audiences across Univision’s television portfolio,
as well as through the TUDN Radio Network, the TUDN mobile app and
TUDN.com. TUDN possesses an industry-leading portfolio of live soccer
rights through partnerships with 16 Liga MX clubs, the Mexican Football
Federation, US Soccer, UEFA, Concacaf, Major League Soccer, Bundesliga
and many more.
About Univision Communications Inc.
As the leading Hispanic media company in the U.S., Univision
Communications Inc. entertains, informs and empowers U.S. Hispanics with
news, sports and entertainment content across broadcast and cable
television, audio and digital platforms. The company’s top-rated media
portfolio includes the Univision and UniMás broadcast networks, as well
as cable networks Univision Deportes Network (UDN) and Galavisión.
Locally, Univision owns or operates 65 television stations in major U.S.
Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico. Additionally, Uforia, the Home of
Latin Music, encompasses 58 owned or operated radio stations, plus 89
affiliates, a live event series and a robust digital audio footprint.
The company’s prominent digital assets include Univision.com,
streaming service Univision Now, the largest Hispanic influencer network
and several top-rated apps. For more information, visit corporate.univision.com.
Contacts
Tatiana Oviedo
305.463.4614
[email protected]
Alex Silverman
646.560.4979
[email protected]
