Telemundo will be collaborating with Dick Clark Productions (DCP) to produce a new Spanish-language American Music Awards show. Set to arrive in fall 2015, it will be based on the successful American Music Awards show model. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Telemundo will produce the annual shows (and red-carpet preshows), which will feature top music stars from Latin America, the Caribbean and other Spanish-speaking regions."
Mike Mahan, President of DCP, said the decision was made to partner with Telemundo because it "has had proven success with the live broadcast of the Billboard Latin Music Awards." Airing for over 25 years, the Billboard Latin Music Awards is the longest-running Latin music awards show, with a substantial year-to-year increase in viewership.
This push toward live marketable events is part of Telemundo's strategy to compete with Univision. The game-plan also includes the launching of a bilingual telenovela app, and hosting Billboard content in Spanish on its website. Telemundo also hopes to rival Univision with its modern take on telenovelas and spinoffs of popular network programs like La Voz Kids (inspired by The Voice).
Billboard reports that Univision has boasted the largest Spanish-language viewer base in North America for quite some time, and typically attracts twice as many viewers as Telemundo. With all these new efforts, it seems Telemundo is aiming to break Univision's winning streak.
Market competition aside, DCP seems confident in choosing Telemundo for this partnership, and it is not alone. Billboard also announced plans to extend its Latin Music Awards deal with the network through 2020.
What do you think of an all-Spanish American Music Awards show? Give us your thoughts in the comments section.
