It’s hard to believe the year is over. Lots of interesting things happened in the media in 2011. This year also marks the beginning of a new look for Media Moves, which underwent a redesign launched in June.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my readers for your comments and support throughout the years. Best wishes for 2012!
Did you miss it? If you did, here’s a recap of the top Media Moves stories of 2011.
January
Azteca relaunches U.S. newscast, Guzmán returns – Former Univision correspondent Armando Guzmán returns to the airwaves in TV Azteca’s renewed effort at U.S. news.
Don Francisco renews with Univision, faces paternity lawuit
Sevcec to host show on AmericaTeVé – Pedro Sevcec gets own show at AmericaTeVé.
Univision appoints new COO – Randy Falco named Executive Vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Univision.
FCC approves Comcast/NBCU merger – On a 4-1 vote, the FCC approves Comcast/NBCU merger.
Lee makes management changes at Univision news – Univision News President Isaac Lee makes first round of management changes in news, which includes the ouster of VP and Director of News Coverage Sylvia Rosabal and the appointment of Daniel Coronell as VP of Network News.
KWHY-22 sold – Meruelo Enterprises Inc strikes deal to buy NBCU-owned KWHY-22, clearing one obstacle to the Comcast/NBCU merger.
Bustos makes a comeback – Amador Bustos, the CEO and founder of Bustos Media tries to create his third radio network.
Comcast takes over NBCU/Telemundo – Comcast assumes control on Jan. 28 of NBC Universal, the official name of the merged company.
February
Valle lands at Univision Radio – José Valle, who quit his job as GM of KVEA-52 lands VP job at Univision Radio
New report rules Salazar’s death an accident – a report concludes journalist Rubén Salazar was not a victim of a murder plot, but rather a victim of “tactical blunders” of the L.A. Sheriff’s department.
Telemundo revamps morning show – Telemundo moves morning show back to Miami, changes talent, and revamps format.
March
Telemundo scores big with Reina debut – The debut of “La Reina del Sur,” marks a ratings success for Telemundo.
Talent changes at Univision – Martín Berlanga becomes weekend news anchor, Ilia Calderón named late night weekday anchor.
Telemundo Studios shuffles management – Patricio Wills out as President of Telemundo Television Studios.
Uva leaves Univision – Univision President and CEO Joe Uva leaves after 4 years at the helm.
Don Francisco’s paternity lawsuit discarded after DNA results
Executive moves at Univision – Maelia Macín named EVP of Network Sales for Univision Networks; Alberto Mier y Terán replaces her as VP & GM of KMEX-34
New Univision apppointments – Germán Pérez-Nahim replaces Bert Medina as Sr VP and Operating Manager of TeleFutura.
Programming changes at Univision – Success of Telemundo’s “Reina del Sur” prompts Univision to do programming changes.
Management changes continue at Univision – One week after his promotion, Peter Lazarus is out of Univision
April
Fox Networks launches new channel, Hispanic division
NAHJ executive director resigns, cuts to follow – Iván Román resigns; board eliminates staff.
Browne to leave Telemundo – Don Browne, President of Telemundo Communications Group since 2005, announces retirement.
Vives wins Pulitzer – Rubén Vives wins Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
May
Cristina makes a comeback– Cristina Saralegui signs exclusive contract with National Latino Broadcasting to launch the Cristina Channel on Sirius XM Radio.
Lopez, Ruiz out at Univision – Maria Lopez-Alvarez, Univision’s VP and Director of News/Entertainment Programs and Mario Ruiz, VP of Talent for the network are ousted.
June
“Reina” finale #1 at 10 pm; breaks records – Telemundo enjoys major success with “La Reina del Sur.” The telenovela finale becomes highest rated program in the network’s history.
Cristina triumphs with first Telemundo special
Teuteló lands anchor job in NYC
Sandoval out at Univision – Neida Sandoval ousted from “Despierta América.”
Thomas, Flores promoted at Univision – Sandra Thomas named Sr Director of Local and Affiliate News for Univision News; Marco Flores to News Director for KMEX 34.
Falco named Univision CEO – Randy Falco promoted to top job at Univision.
July
Salazar leaves Mega TV – María Elvira Salazar resigns from Mega TV.
Pretto, De Bedout join Univision morning show – Satcha Pretto and Félix De Bedout named “Despierta América” news co-anchors.
Creste hired at Fox Deportes – Esteban Creste named Executive News Producer for Fox Deportes.
Telemundo names Silva VP of News – Helga Silva becomes VP of News and Content at Miami’s WSCV-51.
August
Cancela named KVEA GM – José Cancela, who handled the sale of KHWY-22, returns to Telemundo as GM of KVEA-52.
Univision announces Collins hire – María Antonieta Collins who was freelancing since February, is hired full-time.
September
Escobar resigns to Telemundo post – Ramón Escobar, Executive Vice President, Telemundo Network News resigns.
Schmidt out at Univision – Edna Shmidt is ousted from Univision.
Romano named Telemundo president – Emilio Romano appointed President of Telemundo.
October
Herald investigates Rubio accusation of Univision blackmail – Marco Rubio accuses Univision of blackmail.
Almost 3 million watch debut of Saralegui’s new show – The premiere of “Pa’ Lante con Cristina” gets strong start on Telemundo.
Telemundo to host Republican presidential debate – After blackmail accusations against Univision arise, Republicans boycott the network, prompting Telemundo to pick up their first presidential debate.
Peimbert leaves anchor desk for network correspondent, Krauze to replace him – Univision announces it’s bringing León Krauze from Mexico to anchor at KMEX, moving Raúl Peimbert to Sr. West Coast Correspondent for Network and Affiliate News.
Telemundo gets 2018 and 2022 World Cup rights – Telemundo scores major goal by beating Univision for the rights to World Cup 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.
Telemundo paid $600 million for World Cup
Kattan named news director at Univision Houston – Martha Kattan leaves Dallas to take over Houston’s news department.
November
Urquidi returns as news anchor for new venture – Former Univision network weekend news anchor Sergio Urquidi signs TV deal.
Marquez leaving ABC News – ABC News correspondent Miguel Marquez leaves the network.
Patiño named SVP for Univision TV group – Luis Patiño is promoted to Senior Vice President for the Univision Television Group.
Don Francisco to be inducted to TV Hall of Fame
Falcón hire official at Telemundo – Alina Falcón is named Senior Executive Vice President, News and Alternative Programming of Telemundo.
December
Gordon out, Abud in as Telemundo Station Group president – Manuel Abud named President of the Telemundo Station Group, replacing Ron Gordon.
Geraldo lands radio talk show deal
Talent agency sues Cantor – Telemundo sportscaster Andrés Cantor is sued by William Morris Endeavor (WME).