Vme Upfront 2011-2012

USA - English

• Latin America - español

NEW YORK, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at Vme's experiential upfront event, the 2011-2012 programming line-up was introduced to a packed house. At the Samsung Experience in New York's Time Warner Center, Vme underscored its commitment to serve the diversity of today's Hispanic market, introducing a slate of original programming in all genres and a deep pipeline of exclusive world-class programs that speaks to the hearts and minds of today's diverse Hispanic market.

As the fourth largest Spanish network in the U.S. reaching more than 10 million Hispanic Homes, Vme reaches bicultural and bilingual Latinos as well as those who are Spanish-dominant. In a recent viewer engagement study conducted by Nielsen, Spanish TV viewers placed Vme ahead of the three largest Spanish networks for "higher quality programming," as "more in-line with their lifestyle" and for "offering a positive portrayal of the Latino community." Viewers in the study also ranked Vme at the top for offering "unique programming that they can't find elsewhere" and saying that "Vme programming is more engaging."

Ten Brand Entitlements

With its extensive original programming line-up, Vme is offering ten brand entitlements where brands can organically integrate into the set, become part of the program and share in the name of the show. With programs in every genre, Vme is creating a forum in which brands can showcase their attributes and connect with Hispanic consumers of all ages and demographics through relevant content.

"In today's landscape, brands are looking for content and properties that they can own and Vme has answered this demand with more entitlement opportunities than any other Spanish-language network," said Patty Marrero, SVP and director of sales. "With production studios in Miami, Vme also has the capability of doing branded integrations, customized vignettes, prommercials and hosted pitches all of which provide numerous branding options and value to our marketing partners."

2011-2012 programming highlights

Exclusive Dramas and Specials

Vme presents the Spanish-language exclusive of Los Kennedy, an eight-part docudrama, originally created by The History Channel, chronicling the Kennedy family's key triumphs and tragedies from the 1930s to 1968. The special covers all the historical moments such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs Invasion but it also spends time covering the behind the scenes relationships that made this family so powerful. With an all-star cast including Greg Kinnear, Katie Holmes, Barry Pepper and Tom Wilkinson, Los Kennedy covers several generations of the infamous Kennedy dynasty.

With a production budget of more than $1 million per episode, Piratas is Vme's newest high-caliber drama. Set in the eighteenth century and recorded almost entirely in natural settings in Spain, Piratas charts a course for adventure and misadventure as an unabashed and philandering member of the nobility is enrolled by force in a mission to infiltrate the pirate crew of the legendary Captain Bocanegra. Filled with beautiful ships, sword duels, dungeons, executions, rescues, battles and the race for treasures, Piratas has all the ingredients of a great pirate drama.

Targeting Bicultural and bilingual Hispanics

With Hispanics over-indexing in the use of video games of all kinds, especially bilingual, bicultural young Hispanic males, Vme has developed, in partnership with 40 Principales, another market first – a weekly interactive show for gamers. Premiering later this year, GAME40 will look at the hottest new releases in the video game market in a fast-paced interactive fashion.

For a new twist on extreme sports, Vme presents Red Bull's Cliptomaniacs the most original, unique extreme sports show ever. Hosted by professional adrenaline junkies who don't just present extreme sports -- they live them. Each week Cliptomaniacs will present a different hair-raising stunt from locations around the globe.

E3, a new original production coming July 18, will deliver the latest entertainment news with an all-access pass to today's entertainment headliners. Not your typical gossip show, E3 show covers the world of entertainment from all angles to keep viewers plugged into pop culture and Hollywood headliners.  Hosted by Roser Cabanas, E3 will be the foremost authority for real entertainment news in Spanish.

Vme is extending its Nota Musical franchise, with five music specials premiering in July and August, profiling superstars Shakira, Alejandro Fernandez, Miguel Bose.

Original Programming in All Genres

Vme will be adding the new original program Sazon para el Mundo to its daily cooking block, Vme Cocina. Sazon para el Mundo features Vme's popular host, Chef Hamlet Garcia taking the best of international cuisine and giving it a Latin flavor.

Returning this fall, Vme presents a complete line-up of its extensive original top-quality programming in all genres including: TuBeBe, Spanish TV's only show dedicated to parenting, Planeta Feroz, Vme's exclusive award-winning nature programming franchise, Mi Mascota, for the pets in our lives, Estelares Vme, presenting the world's most intelligent, relevant and thought-provoking primetime dramas and comprehensive current affairs and sports programs with Vme Noticias, Vme Deportes, and Jorge Gestoso Investiga.

Popular Primetime Dramas Return

Every night, Vme distinguishes itself with its scripted dramas and big budget productions. Each of Vme's primetime dramas have consistently been among the network's top rated shows every week since Vme started with Nielsen. The top shows include:

Africa de mi Corazon a family-friendly drama traces the adventures of a regular family that has chosen to devote their life to living with and protecting wildlife in Africa; Cuentame Como Paso, Spain's smash hit that is akin to The Wonder Years, this drama for the whole family, follows the small and large moments a middle class family living through the turbulent 60's and 70's; Comisario Rex, one of the most popular programs worldwide is a clever twist on primetime police drama with a brilliant K-9 as the protagonist.

Following Vme's tradition of launching new series throughout the year, the network just began airing Alerta Cobra in April 2011 and will continue this program for another season. In the spirit of The Fast and the Furious, Alerta Cobra, Europe's top cop show, features the most extraordinary and mind-boggling stunt work of any television program ever. 

Another one of Vme's most popular primetime dramas returns for another season, Aguila Roja it's lush, romantic, swashbuckling good vs. evil story captivates audiences everywhere. And, later this year, it will become a major motion picture.

Spanish home for World's top Children's Programming

Vme remains the only Hispanic network that dedicates more than four hours a day, six days a week to preschool programming. With the largest slate of preschool programming already on air, Vme will now be the exclusive Spanish-language home for Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Thomas & Friends™.

About Vme

Vme has made the promise to be Contigo to Hispanic families delivering drama, music, sports, news, current affairs, Latin cinema, food, lifestyle, nature and educational preschool content. The 24-hour Spanish network, partnered with public television stations, is currently available in more than 10 million Hispanic homes. Vme is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, Vme Media Inc.  To find out more please visit www.VmeTV.com

SOURCE Vme