Martin Notches His 24th Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin is moving up the list of acts with the most top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer has scored his 24th top 10 on the chart as “Adios” jumps 16-9.

The rise is fueled by Martin’s performance of the uptempo song at the Latin Grammy Awards, which aired on Univision on November 20.

The performance boosted the tune’s digital sales 151 percent (to 3,000 downloads) in the week ending November 23, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The rise in sales also drives the track 15-4 on Billboard’s Latin Digital Songs chart.

“Adios” moves Martin ahead of Gloria Estefan on the list of acts with the most top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Luis Miguel leads all artists, with 39 top 10s, followed by Enrique Iglesias (34), Chayanne (29), Cristian Castro (29), Marco Antonio Solis (25), Martin (24) and Estefan (23).

In addition to his solo turn on the awards, Martin also performed with Mexican duo Camila, singing their track “Perdon.” It also enjoyed a post-show sales bump (130 percent, to over 2,000 downloads), rising 21-9 on the Latin Digital Songs chart.

On the Latin Grammys‘ red carpet, Martin announced that his upcoming studio album will be released early next year.

Espinoza Hosting Simon Cowell & Univision’s Latin Boy Band Reality Show “La Banda”

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s all about the boys for Alejandra Espinoza…

The 27-year-old Mexican beauty-queen-turned-television-presenter is hosting Simon Cowell and Univision’s La Banda, which “aims to create the world’s ultimate Latino boy band through the largest Latino talent search in U.S. TV history,” according to an announcement from the Spanish-language network.

The search for contestants for La Banda, which was developed by Cowell’s Syco Entertainment with Univision Communications and Saban Brands, is officially underway.

Boys (to men) ages 14 and older living in the United States and Puerto Rico are invited to audition online for La Banda. The search for potential Latin stars to compete on the upcoming Univision reality show has begun at LaBandaOficial.com.

“I’m very excited about this show,” says Simon Cowell, a producer on the show. “There is a huge amount of talent out there and La Banda is going to give five guys the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Co-produced with FremantleMedia Latin America, the show is set to premiere in fall 2015 on the Spanish-language network.

Winners of the competition — who will inevitably be compared to the Puerto Rican pop group Menudo, which started in the ’70s with a rotating cast of young singers and disbanded in 2009 — will receive a recording contract with Sony Music Latin and Syco Music, home of One Direction.

To be considered, potential participants should go to LaBandaoficial.com and upload pictures, videos or music files. After creating their online audition profiles, selected contestants will receive a “golden ticket,” which will allow them to participate in a private audition with the production team. The online casting will be followed by casting events across the United States and Puerto Rico in the spring of 2015.

“We are proud to start the search for the next great Latino boy band,” said Alberto Ciurana, president of programming and content for Univision Communications Inc. “There is vast talent in our community, and with La Banda, we will find and launch the next generation of musical superstars.”

Fonseca Pens Anthem for Change, “Rise Up,” with Jon Batiste

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fonseca is encouraging the masses to rise up…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has partnered with American jazz artist and composer Jon Batiste to co-write “Rise Up,” the theme song to a special one-day summit of the same name.

Fusion, the television and digital company launched as a joint venture between Univision and Disney/ABC Television, will host its first RiseUp summit on November 19 in Washington, D.C.

The one-day event will bring together global activists, artists, politicians and technologists from around the world.

As part of “RiseUp,” Fonseca and Batiste penned the theme song, which is available on iTunes now.

The track is being called an anthem for change (“Stand Up to the world, rise up for what you care,” says the chorus) with jazz and pop influences. All proceeds from the song will be donated to UNICEF.

Fonseca and Batiste will perform “Rise Up” at the summit during an evening concert directed by producer Andres Levin. It will also feature his fusion band, Yerba Buena.

The RiseUp summit will spotlight recent youth-led movements and activism in places as far-flung as Venezuela, Egypt, Taiwan and Turkey.

Pitbull to Perform at the Latin Grammys with Carlos Santana

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is set to join forces with a music legend at this year’s Latin Grammys…

The 33-year-old Cuban American singer and Carlos Santana will perform live onstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas during the annual awards broadcast.

No word yet on what song(s) Pitbull and the 67-year-old Mexican musician, considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, will perform.

In addition to his performance with Santana, Mr. Worldwide will also take the stage with Wisin and Chris Brown.

Other pairings for this year’s Latin Grammys include Magic! with Marc Anthony, and Regional Mexican star Pepe Aguilar and Spanish pop icon Miguel Bose.

Also set to perform together are: Pablo Alborán with Jesse & Joy, Marc Anthony in anther performance, this time with Carlos Vives; Rubén Blades with Carlos Franzetti, Camila with Ricky Martin, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De René Camacho with Espinoza Paz, La Original Banda El Limón De Salvador Lizárraga with Río Roma, Carlos Vives with ChocQuibTown, and Yandel with General Gadiel and Farruko. A Best New Artist nominees medley will feature Aneeka, Pablo López and Mariana Vega.

The show will also feature performances by leading nominees Calle 13, Juanes, J Balvin, Person of the Year Joan Manuel Serrat and other stars.

Meanwhile, Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno and Gente De Zona will perform their massive hit song “Bailando” live from Europe, where they are currently on tour.

A total of twenty performances are scheduled for the fifteenth Latin Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast live on Univision on November 20 at 8:00 pm ET.

Confirmed to present awards are current nominees Jorge Drexler and Prince Royce; as well as actor Daniel Arenas, actress Eiza Gonzalez, Latin Grammy winner Natalia Jiménez, singer/songwriter Joaquin Sabina, and actress Roselyn Sanchez.

Sodi’s “Senorita Polvora” to Air in 42 Territories Throughout Latin America

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Sodi’s latest television project is coming to the Americas…

Turner Broadcasting System Latin America has picked up the exclusive, first-run subscription television rights to the original series Señorita Pólvora, starring the 28-year-old Mexican singer, actress and model.

The Spanish-language drama is based on a real-life story about a beauty queen who falls for a Mafia hitman.

Señorita Pólvora, which also stars Iván Sánchez, José María de Tavira and Saúl Lisazo, will premiere on TNT in early 2015.

Following its TNT debut, the telenovela will be available for subscribers on the streaming site Claro video, a Netfix rival owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man.

Señorita Pólvora is the first of several teleseries that Sony Pictures Television and Televisa are co-producing under a multiyear joint venture.

The distribution deals allow Señorita Pólvora to reach audiences in 42 territories throughout Latin America.

“Señorita Pólvora is a great acquisition for us as it is consistent with our strategy to incorporate local content on channels to further engage Latin American viewers,” said Angel Zambrano, vice president of acquisitions and syndication at Turner Broadcasting System Latin America.

In the U.S., the series will air on the Univision network UniMas.

Visitante Leads the Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with 10

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a perfect ten for Eduardo Cabra …

The Puerto Rican reggaetón singer has picked up 10 Latin Grammy nominations to lead the pack of honorees this year.

Cabra, commonly known “Visitante,” earned nine nominations with his stepbrother and fellow Calle 13 member René Pérez, known as “Residente.” He earned his tenth nod of the year for Producer of the Year his work as a producer on Jorge Drexler’s album Todo Cae.

Calle 13’s nominations include Record of the Year, for their single “Respira El Momento;” Album of the Year for MultiViral; and Song of the Year for their track “Ojos Color Sol” with Silvio Rodríguez.

Since 2006, when they took home the Best New Artist award, Calle 13 has won 19 Latin Grammys.

Meanwhile, Andres Castro earned eight. Tom Coyne received seven, Julio Reyes Copello and Carlos Vives each received six nominations, and Descemer Bueno and Enrique Iglesias were next with five nods each.

In the running for best new artist are Aneeka, Linda Briceno, Caloncho, Julio Cesar, Pablo Lopez, Miranda, Periko & Jessi Leen, Daniela Spalla, Juan Pablo Vega and Mariana Vega.

This year’s Latin Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony will air on the Univision from 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET.

Click here to see the complete list of nominees.

Globosat & Caracol TV Aiming to Launch a Stateside Spanish-Language Pay TV Channel

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

There will soon be another viewing option for Latinos in the United States…

Brazilian pay television outfit Globosat and Colombian network Caracol TV are aiming to become the latest players to enter the lucrative U.S. Hispanic market under a joint venture.

In a company statement, Colombia’s top broadcaster said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Globosat to launch a stateside Spanish-language pay TV channel in 2015.

The letter was signed by Caracol TV president Gonzalo Cordoba and Globosat director general Alberto Pecegueiro.

The new channel will vie for a piece of the fast-growing Latino market led by Univision and NBC Universal’s Telemundo.

Best known for its telenovelas and drug-themed dramas like Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso, Caracol produces 5,200 hours of content a year, including co-productions with Sony Pictures Television and Telemundo. Globosat, a division of media giant Globo, operates 34 pay TV channels in Brazil.

“It is natural for us at this point to take a closer look at the fastest growing U.S. sector, the Hispanic paid television market,” Pecegueiro said.

Programming details will be announced later.

J Balvin to Participate in the 2014 Latin Grammy Street Party Concerts

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is taking it to the streets to get the Latin Grammy party started…

The 29-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, whose full name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, is among the musicians who will participate in the Latin Recording Academy’s 2014 Latin Grammy street party concerts, which kick off on October 5 in Chicago’s Plaza Garibaldi.

Balvin, who was featured on the Colombian version of “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell Williams & T.I., is best known for his songs “Yo Te Lo Dije” and “Tranquila.”

The Latin Grammy street parties have been held for the past 12 years and are presented by the Latin Academy (LARAS), together with Univision.

In addition to Balvin, artists confirmed to perform during the series, which will be played in five cities, include Conjunto Primavera, J Alvarez, Los Rieleros del Norte, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Noel Torres and Voz de Mando.

Along with a stop in Chicago, the series will also visit Dallas, Los Angeles and Phoenix before wrapping up in Hialeah (Miami) on November 9 with performances by Balvin, Alvarez and Victoria, among others, in the streets of Hialeah.

The Latin Grammy Street parties are free and lead up to the 15th annual Latin Grammys, airing live on November 20 on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Latin Grammy street party schedule:
Oct. 5, Chicago: Voz de Mando, Banda La Chacaloza, Cardenales de Nuevo León
Oct. 12, Dallas: Noel Torres, Los Rieleros del Norte, Jonatan Sánchez
Oct. 19, Los Angeles: Los Tucanes de Tijuana, El Rayo de Oro, Helen Ochoa, Jonatan Sánchez, Kent y Tony
Nov. 2, Phoenix, AZ: Conjunto Primavera, Voz De Mando, Los Canarios de Michoacán
Nov. 9, Hialeah, FL: J Balvin, J Álvarez, Gaitanes, Victoria, Eli Jas, J Quiles, Kent y Tony

Olmos Participates in Hispanic Scholarship Fund Campaign Aimed at Getting More Latinos Enrolled in College

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Edward James Olmos is telling parents to stand and deliver when it comes to their children and their futures…

This Hispanic Heritage Month, the 67-year-old Mexican American actor is among the Latino celebrities making parents aware of the many resources available to help them send their kids to college.

Olmos recorded a public service announcement (PSA) to encourage Hispanic parents to look into scholarships and planning tools for their children.

The campaign, launched by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and the Ad Council, aims to offer access to the resources Latino parents need to help their children prepare, plan, and pay for college.

Today, Hispanics make up 19 percent of college students from the ages of 18 to 24, a number that is up from 12 percent in 2008, according to the HSF.

The PSA campaign empowers parents to help their children navigate the college application process and access the resources and support needed to excel in their studies and graduate.

According to a 2009 Pew Hispanic Center survey, 88% of Latinos ages 16 and older agreed that a college degree is necessary to get ahead in life today, as compared to only 74% of all Americans ages 16 and older.

Other celebrities filming PSAs include CSI: Miami alum Adam Rodriguez and Univision co-anchors Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas.

Pantelion Films Opening the Bio-Drama “Cantinflas,” Starring Jaenada, in Theaters This Weekend

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Óscar Jaenada is ready to bring the Charlie Chaplin of Mexico to life in U.S. theaters this weekend…

The 39-year-old Spanish actor is starring as the late, great Mexican actor Cantinflas in the Spanish-language bio-drama of the same name.

Written and directed by Sebastian del Amo, Cantinflas is an “untold story” from his humble beginnings to Hollywood and international stardom. Pantelion Films is betting on the enduring popularity of late Mexican actor, whose real name is Mario Moreno, as it brings the title to primarily Latino U.S. audiences this weekend

“We began our discussions with the film’s producers about a year ago,” said Pantelion’s Edward Allen. “Cantinflas as a character has no comparison in America. Unlike American actors [of his generation] Cantinflas is still a part of regular viewing for people of Latin American descent. They see him here all the time through sources like Telemundo and Univision. He appeals across generations.”

From the mid-1930s up until his death in 1993, Cantinflas was Mexico’s most beloved and iconic comedian. He starred in dozens of movies in his native country, often playing impoverished campesinos, before his Hollywood debut. He became known to U.S. audiences for his award-winning role in 1956’s Around the World in 80 Days.

Last year Pantelion hit box office gold with Instructions Not Included. The comedy grossed $44 million, the most of any Spanish-language title in the States. It will go after a similar audience with Cantinflas partnering with Spanish-language media in the U.S. and some non-media partners to spread the word.

“We are doing grass-roots marketing, partnering with supermarkets that cater to Latin American [clientele],” added Allen. “In L.A. we’re doing an outdoor campaign, but also saturating Spanish-language media across all channels.”

Instructions Not Included opened in 348 theaters grossing $7.84 million on August 30, nearly one year ago. It is clearly taking a cue from that successful roll out with a similar strategy with Cantinflas opening in over 380 theaters around the country.

“It will mirror the Latino population across the country,” added Allen. “We will expand based on performance and adjust the plan accordingly.”

In addition to Jaenada, the film also stars Michael Imperioli, Ilse Salas, Bárbara Mori, Ana Layevska and Adal Ramones.

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