Televisa Unveils New Telenovela ‘Rosas’ at NATPE

Mexican media giant Televisa is frontloading its NATPE slate with new telenovela “rosas,” classic telenovelas of romance and intrigue led by “Simplemente Maria,” which has been airing on Televisa since November. Other new Televisa soaps debuting at NATPE are “El Hotel de los Secretos,” the Mexican version of Spanish historic drama series “Gran Hotel,” dubbed the Spanish “Downton Abbey,” and “Un Camino Hacia el Destino” (“Road to Destiny”).

“Un Camino,” loosely based on the 2003 telenovela that aired on rival network TV Azteca “La Hija del Jardinero” (“The Gardener’s Daughter”), will premiere on Televisa on January 25 while “Hotel” debuts first on U.S. Hispanic network Univision the next day. “Hotel” is set at the turn of the century where a grand hotel sets the stage for mystery and romance among the owners and those who serve them.

Created by Ramon Campos and Gema R. Neira at Spain’s Bambu Producciones, the original “Gran Hotel” ran for three seasons on Atresmedia over 2011-13, posting a first season audience share of 18.5%. It’s been redone for RAI, Italy while Televisa USA is making an English-language version with Lantica Media at Lantica’s Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios.

The company sales team led by Corporate TV Division VP Jose Baston and Televisa Int’l veep Fernando Perez Gavilan will present a multiple slate comprised of telenovelas, talent shows such as “Mini Me” where celebrities choose the kids most likely to succeed them, and the wildly popular kids talent show “Pequenos Gigantes.”

Other programs include 2014 talent show “Stand Up,” which incorporates the web in the selection of the winning father-son duets. Sitcom “Los Gonzalez” (2014) features a fictitious family playing candid camera pranks on an unsuspecting public, blending sitcom and reality formats.

Televisa produces up to 90,000 hours of programming a year.