Rivera Biopic & Television Projects in the Works

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Rivera’s legacy lives on…

Television projects and a biopic based on the life of the late Mexican-American singer, known as la Diva de la Banda, are currently in the works, her estate has announced.

The projects are in early development and details will be announced later, but they include a music-based television series focused on the lives and stories of the Rivera family as a musical dynasty.

Rivera was one of the most successful regional Mexican musical artists of all time, selling more than 20 million records during her 20-year career.

She died in a 2012 plane crash in northern Mexico, in the midst of filming the third season of mun2 docu-reality series I Love Jenni, in which she starred. She also had just closed a deal to topline her own sitcom for ABC, Jenni.

Rivera’s estate includes several businesses, as well as a foundation named for the late singer that helps women and children facing abuse, and other charity endeavors.

Guerra Wins StandUp NBC and Earns NBCUniversal Talent Holding Deal

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Nick Guerra’s star is rising in Hollywood…

The Latino stand-up comedian has been declared the winner of the 11th annual StandUp NBC comedy showcase.

Guerra’s victory comes with a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.

The showcase, held at the Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles, capped a talent search to find the funniest comics of diverse backgrounds in the country. Comedians were evaluated on the originality of their material, delivery, cast-worthiness and overall performance.

“There are two things every comedian needs for his career to stay alive – recognition of talent and car repair money,” said Guerra. “I’d like to thank NBC for continuing to show me support and for the new transmission.”

Guerra competed on the most recent season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He was a writer, actor and assistant director on the second season of mun2’s Pitbull’s La Esquina and also performed on Comedy Central’s Gabriel Iglesias Stand Up Revolution and Nuvo TV’s Stand Up & Deliver and the Stand Up & Deliver Cabo Relief Special.

Guerra will be joined by other 2014 finalists on the StandUp NBC College Tour, including Aisha Alfa, Darcy Michael, John Nguyen, Langston Kerman, Katrina Braxton, Lavar Walker and Ricarlo Flanagan.

Trevi Signs with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Trevi has new representation when it comes to her music…

The 46-year-old Mexican singer has signed with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for representation of the public performances of her music catalog, according to Billboard.

Moving forward, BMI will represent Trevi’s complete catalog, according to her management. Trevi was formerly signed to Mexico’s Society of Authors and Composers (SACM), through a license with ASCAP.

Hailed as the “Supreme Diva of Mexican Pop” by VH1, Trevi is one of the most celebrated figures in Latin pop, both as a musical artist and as a personality with a career that spans 25 years. She has sold more than 20 million records.

“She’s an amazing performer who exudes so much magic on stage. As a songwriter, she evokes raw emotion and transparency, which has connected her with her myriad of fans,” said Delia Orjuela, BMI’s vice president of Latin Music. “I’ve been a fan of Gloria’s for years and foresee her flourishing even more as her brand expands.”

Trevi’s brand includes A Toda Gloria, a reality television series on mun2, and an upcoming biopic titled simply Gloria.

A prolific touring artist, Trevi became famous in the 1990s thanks to her rebellious songs and attitude, earning her the nickname “Mexican Madonna.”

Coronel Releases Inspirational Holiday Single “Feliz Navidad”

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Coronel is spreading a little love this holiday season…

The 18-year-old Mexican American cantante, who was named to this year’s Billboard‘s 21 Under 21 list, has released the lyric video for his brand new Christmas song “Feliz Navidad.”

The clip for his acoustic accordion-and guitar-accompanied inspirational ballad, not to be confused with the Jose Feliciano classic of the same name, shows Coronel greeting his female fans, and giving the luckiest of the girls a kiss on the cheek.

The lyric video was released this week, already garnering 14-thousand views on YouTube.

In October, Coronel became the youngest solo artist in 13 years to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart with his sophomore album Quiero Ser Tu Dueño. “Tenerte,” the first single from that album, rose to the top of Regional Mexican Songs, where it currently stands at No. 12.

An artist for a new Latino generation with ranchera roots and pop appeal, Coronel will be up for the Male Artist of the Year at Univision’s Premios Nuestro Awards in Feb. 2015. He’ll end this year with an appearance on Azteca America’s Christmas special Navidad Azteca, and be the subject of a mun2 special, Estrellas de Reventon: Luis Coronel on December 14.

“Feliz Navidad” is available for download on iTunes.

Vera’s Syndicated Show “Right This Minute” Expanding to 182 Stations

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Christian Vera’s national reach is growing right this minute…

Syndicated talk show RightThisMinute, featuring the Mexican television personality as one of its hosts, has expanded its clearance to 91 percent of the country, thanks to new station carriage with Fox stations in Top 10 markets.

Syndicated by MGM Television and produced by MagicDust Television, in partnership with Cox Media Group, Raycom Media and E.W. Scripps, the show will launch season two in a five-day-a-week strip on September 8, and also supply a weekend best-of show to 182 stations.

RightThisMinute shows fast-rising web videos and reports the stories behind those videos in two daily half-hour shows. It rolled out nationally in its third season last year, after two years with coverage of only about 30 percent of the country that jumped to 65 percent last year. The Fox deal will air the show in late morning and afternoon time periods in the top 10 markets.

“A show designed for active viewers who want to stay informed. It is a fast-paced roundup of the most timely, engaging, and explosive stories; as well as, the stories that viewers determine are of most interest,” says Vera of the show. “The most-incredible video, the stories that make people stop and think, compelling human-condition stories, and the next day’s popular ‘water cooler’ stories will be covered in every ‘RightThisMinute’ episode.”

“RightThisMinute has found solid footing in the marketplace and demand has exceeded our expectations,”said Bryan.” The series fills a void with its unique and buzz-worthy content and we look forward to another successful season.”

In addition to Vera, who previously appeared on E! News Now, Mun2, SiTv and CNN En Español, the show featuresBeth Troutman, Nick Calderone, Gayle Bass and new host Oli Pettigrew.

Mendiola Named President of mun2

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ruben Mendiola is taking the helm at mun2…

The Latino business executive has been named president of NBCUniversal’s cable network aimed at a young Latino audience.

Mun2 is the first cable network for young Latinos with shows and music videos in Spanish and English, including I Love Jenni, Welcome to Los Vargas, Combate Americas and Reventón.

Mendiola will report to Joe Uva, chairman of Hispanic Enterprises and Content at NBCUniversal.

Mun2 had been without its top executive since EVP and general manager Diana Mogollon departed at the end of February.

Mendiola comes from Comcast Cable where he was SVP and general manager of Multicultural Services.

Before that, he served as the general manager of Latino Programming and Spanish Business Development at Dish Network, VP of Programming and Operations at Fox Sports Latin America and programming director for Pay TV at Grupo Televisa.

Mendiola is a graduate of Universidad Iberoamericana A.C. in Mexico City where he earned his degree in Corporate Law.

Rivera Launches Online Mini-Series “Chiquis Confidential”

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Chiquis Rivera is so confidential…

The Mexican American daughter of the late Jenni Rivera launched an online mini-series that crashed moments after going live.

The debut of Chiquis Confidential was so strong that chiquisonline.com went down moments before the start of the four-minute premiere at 3:00 pm PT on Tuesday.

“It’s a good thing,” said Richard Bull of The Sixth House, who manages Rivera. “That’s what happens when a server gets hit that very second. Everything becomes affected.”

But Rivera’s fans didn’t need to worry because they were eventually able watch the premiere episode online.

Chiquis Confidential can be seen on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 16 weeks. A total of 48 episodes will air and can also be seen via Twitter, Facebook and, once the series is completed, it will also live on YouTube.

Earlier this year, Rivera released “Paloma Blanca,” a banda-themed song dedicated to her mother, who died in December 2012 when her small plane crashed after a performance in Northern Mexico.

The song was also posted on the ChiquisOnline channel. Two official videos of the song combined have received about 4 million views.

At the recent BMI Latin Awards show in Las Vegas, Rivera told Billboard that she was definitely going to pursue a recording career and is actively working on a new album. The new online mini-series will chronicle the entertainer as she makes music, Bull said.

Rivera is no stranger to the spotlight as she’s had her own reality show on cable network Mun2 and in recent years has expressed interest in fashion, beauty and entertainment. In 2013, she was a guest host on ABC‘s The View, where she sat with Barbara Walters and talked about her mother, career and life.

Rivera also wrote the song for her new series, which will be heard on each episode. During the premiere episode, which is produced by Bull as well, the singer talks about why she launched the series.

“I’ve come to realize that sharing my feelings with others is helping me heal the wound that I don’t think I’ll ever completely get over, but I do want to start that process,” Rivera said.

Rodriguez Lands Development Deal with BMP Latin for Unscripted Projects

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Adam Rodriguez could be developing television content in the near future…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican/Cuban-American actor has signed a development deal for unscripted projects with Bunim/Murray Productions’ BMP Latin.

The CSI: Miami and Magic Mike star has been slated to develop and executive-produce numerous unscripted series, some of which will highlight his personal interest in social and philanthropic issues.

BMP Latin is currently producing Combate Americas, the first Spanish language Mixed Martial Arts competition reality series for mun2.

The company also has development deals with former The X Factor judge Paulina Rubio, multi-platinum reggaeton singer Daddy Yankee and the Leonardo Lopez family, a successful Mexican-American family living the dream in Encino, CA.

Bunim/Murray produces The Real World, Project Runway and Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Vargas’ New Reality Series Premiering on mun2 in January

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Vargas is ready for his close-up…

Following a long hiatus, the 36-year-old retired Mexican American retired boxing star will be returning to the scene. But this time he’ll be headlining his own reality show on the mun2 cable network.

Entitled Welcome to Los Vargas, the series centers on the three-time world boxing champion, his wife of 20 years, Martha, their four dynamic children, Fernando Jr., Amado, Emiliano, and Mibella “China,” and Martha’s loving father, Alfredo.

The reality series will take viewers behind-the-scenes of the Vargas’ crazy and entertaining life, with Martha trying to balance their busy household of four kids and the recent addition of her father moving in, to Fernando’s mission of training the next great boxing champion and opening his own gym.

Whether inside or outside of the ring, Vargas – who won a bronze medal as an amateur at the 1995 Pan American Games – has never thrown in the towel, he’s confronted life’s obstacles with perseverance and gratitude. He contributes his success to the support of his loving family and faith in God.

“Viewers will get to see how our family deals with issues in a positive way,” Vargas says.

The celeb-reality series will give us a look at the man behind the medals, the husband, the father, and the entrepreneur. The Vargas family will open the doors to their home, share their most intimate moments, and prove that with love, patience, and laughter, that there’s nothing this family can’t handle.

Welcome to Los Vargas is being produced by Anyone Collective and executive produced by Shari Scorca for mun2.

The celeb-reality series will premiere on Sunday, January 26th at 9:00 pm EST/8 pm CST.

Calle to Host Mun2’s “Combate Americas” Competition Series

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Andrea Calle will soon be hanging with some of tough Latinos…

The Colombian model and on-air personality has been tapped to host Mun2’s brand new Spanish-language competition series Combate Americas.

The 10-episode series will follow 10 Hispanic pro Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters as they compete for a spot in the titular MMA franchise.

The show is created by UFC co-founder and Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren and BMP Latin, the Hispanic division of Bunim/Murray Productions.

In addition to Calle’s appearance as the show’s host, radio personality Piolin will serve as a color commentator.

The competition series will bow early next year.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: mun2