Univision and El Rey Network strike strategic partnership and unveil upcoming scripted series

Univision Communications Inc. announced it has made a strategic investment in El Rey Network, the new general entertainment, English-language cable network geared towards young-adult audiences and created by renowned American filmmaker Robert Rodríguez and FactoryMade Ventures. The network will launch in December 2013 and have nation-wide distribution with initial carriage via Comcast. Rodríguez unveiled the plans for the new network and showcased one of its slated programs at Univision’s 2013 Upfront presentation in New York. As the lead curators of content for El Rey Network, Rodríguez and FactoryMade will cultivate a mix of reality, scripted and animated series, movies, music and sports programming. El Rey Network will provide English-language programming and will include action content that boldly features -or is created, produced or directed by– high-caliber talent, celebrities and public figures. Univision Communications will be responsible for the back office operations, sales and distribution of the network. Financial details for the agreement were not disclosed.“Our partnership in El Rey Network is a testament to Univision’s culture of innovation, the power of our brand to live in both languages, and our constant quest to ensure we remain the ultimate resource for all Hispanics’ tastes and preferences,” said Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications Inc. At Univision’s upfront presentation, Rodríguez unveiled the first original scripted production for El Rey Network. Based on the hit action/horror franchise from Rodríguez and Quentin Tarantino, From Dusk Till Dawn, the series will be written, produced and directed by Rodríguez. It will explore and expand on the characters and story from the original film, providing a wider scope and richer Aztec mythology.