El Rey Network

El Rey Network
Launched December 15, 2013 (2013-12-15)
Owned by El Netwarko Groupo (Galavision, Robert Rodriguez, Univision Communications, Cox Communications)
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
(HD feed downgraded to letterboxed 480i for SDTVs)
Slogan Ride With Us
Country United States
Language English
Broadcast area Nationwide
Headquarters Austin, Texas
Sister channel(s) Fusion
Website elreynetwork.com
Availability
Terrestrial
Selective TV, Inc. (Alexandria, MN) KY20A-DT (Channel 100)
Satellite
DirecTV Channel 341 (SD)
Dish Network Channel 253 (SD)
Cable
Bright House Networks On select systems
Comcast On select systems
Cox Communications On select systems
Frontier Communications On select systems
Suddenlink Communications On select systems
Time Warner Cable On select systems
Streaming media
Sling TV Internet Protocol television

El Rey Network (El Rey being Spanish for The King) is an English language American television channel targeting Latino audiences. Launched by Robert Rodriguez in 2013 in a deal with Univision, the station specializes in grindhouse-style content. Its bumpers and commercials use grainy visuals and a distinctive gravelly voice.[1]

It is available on Bright House Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, Sling TV, Suddenlink Communications, Google Fiber and Time Warner Cable.

As of March 2015, approximately 40 million households receive El Rey Network.[2]

Background

El Rey Network is Univision Communications' 2nd attempt in the world of English-language cable networks after Fusion.

History

As part of its arrangement to acquire a majority interest in NBCUniversal, Comcast Corporation committed to carry several minority-owned channels.[3] The arrangement followed pressure led by Maxine Waters in congressional hearings.[4] In April 2011, Comcast solicited proposals for minority-owned networks.[5] In February 2012, Comcast announced distribution arrangements for four networks, including El Rey.[6] The four announced networks and six forthcoming stations are being chosen from more than 100 proposals to begin airing by 2020.[7]

Business plan

Rodriguez has partnered with FactoryMade Ventures executives John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The network targets Latino audiences with an English-language general entertainment network. The network distributes reality, scripted and animated series, movies, documentaries, news, music, comedy and sports programming.[6] Comcast has stated that the network "prominently feature Hispanic producers, celebrities and public figures."[8] The network targets second and third-generation Latinos who are often bilingual but speak English as their primary language.[9] The network hopes to succeed at a higher level than prior attempts to service the same demographic because of the commitment from Comcast.[9]

Broadcast

The network airs on the digital basic service in some of Comcast's systems.[7] Comcast had announced that the network was expected to debut by January 2014.[8] In August 2012, the network announced that its CEO is Antoinette Alfonso Zel.[10] In May 2013, Univision announced that it was investing in El Rey.[11][12]

Upon launch in the week of December 15, 2013,[13] El Rey was offered by cable companies Time Warner Cable and Comcast,[14][15] with Bright House Networks offering soon later in January 2014,[16] and Cox Communications by February 2014.[13]

The first satellite service to host El Rey was DirecTV in January 2014,[17] the second, Dish Network, came a year later in January 2015.[18] In February 2015, El Rey was made available through cable company Suddenlink Communications in select markets.[19]

Original programming

In November 2013, it was announced that the production of From Dusk till Dawn: The Series had already begun.[20] The Director's Chair with Robert Rodriguez premiered in May 2014 with John Carpenter as his first spotlighted director. On July 10, it was announced that Guillermo Del Toro and Quentin Tarantino would be the next two directors spotlighted in July and August 2014, respectively. Matador, from Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, premiered in July 2014. Lucha libre program Lucha Underground, featuring wrestlers from Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and produced by Mark Burnett, premiered on October 29, 2014.[21][22]

Current programming

Original Dramas

Original Reality & Unscripted Series

Syndicated Programming

Former Original Programming

Film Releases

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.elreynetwork.com/
  2. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "Distribution approximation as of March 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ Stelter, Brian (February 20, 2012). "Hip Hop Mogul to Unveil Plan for Music Cable Channel". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  4. ↑ Braxton, Greg and Meg James (February 21, 2012). "Laker legend to launch a TV network:Magic Johnson's channel, Aspire, will be carried by Comcast and focus on blacks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  5. ↑ Jensen, David (April 4, 2011). "Comcast Begins Effort to Launch 10 Independent Networks". Comcast. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Guthrie, Marisa (February 21, 2012). "Comcast to Launch Networks Backed by Sean Combs, Magic Johnson and Robert Rodriguez". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Comcast to start new minority-owned cable channels". Sports Illustrated. February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Molloy, Tim. "Comcast Announces New Networks With Magic Johnson, Sean Combs, Robert Rodriguez". Reuters. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Gratereaux, Alexandra (February 21, 2012). "Robert Rodriguez Wants You for New Network Channel". Fox News. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  10. ↑ "El Rey Network Announces Antoinette Alfonso Zel As CEO". PR Newswire. August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Univision Communications and El Rey Network Announce Strategic Partnership, Unveil Upcoming Scripted Series". Univision. May 14, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Univision pairs with Rodriguez on El Rey network". Associated Press. May 14, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  13. 1 2 de la Fuente, Anna Marie. "Univision’s Fourth Quarter, Full Year Revenue Rises". Variety. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Univision, Time Warner Cable strike new distribution deal". Los Angeles Times. October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  15. ↑ Poggi, Jeanine. "New TV Networks Scorecard: Eight Cable Channels to Watch in 2014". Advertising Age. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Bright House Networks Launches Univision Deportes Network and Univision tlNovelas". Bright House Networks. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  17. ↑ http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/directv-rumor-alert-el-rey-network-launched-1-1.327189/
  18. ↑ Reynolds, Mike. "Dish Inks Distribution Deal with El Rey". MultiChannel News. NewBay Media. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  19. ↑ Farrell, Mike. "Suddenlink Launches El Rey Network". Multichannel News. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  20. ↑ T2's Robert Patrick & More Join 'From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series', by Craig Hunter
  21. ↑ Caldwell, James (July 10, 2014). "AAA news: El Rey announces AAA Lucha Libre show for U.S. TV - timeslot, show title, more details". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Lucha Underground promotion TV debut moved back three weeks". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.

External links

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