Univision bets big on news

Univision is boosting its news coverage, built around 'Aqui y hora,' co-hosted by Maria Elena Salinas, above, and a top team of journos including Brit Karl Penhaul, below. While U.S. auds have been gradually slipping away from news and current affairs shows, Univision's U.S. Spanish-speaking viewers are embracing the format.Over the last 10 years, Univision's primetime news magazine "Aqui y ahora" (Here and Now), co-hosted by Maria Elena Salinas and Teresa Rodriguez, has upped its audience, while its English-language counterparts -- ABC's "20/20," CBS' "60 Minutes" and NBC's "Dateline" -- have lost nearly 50% of their viewers.Now the Spanish-language TV giant intends to feed the demand for such shows even further, enlisting Univision News prexy Isaac Lee to increase the scope of its inhouse coverage.The moves dovetail with the company's plan to launch cable news channel Univision 24/7 in fall 2012, in time for the U.S. presidential elections.The network is making a big push into news, hiring high-profile heavy-hitters with a slew of awards.Journos Karl Penhaul and Carlos Villalon have been recruited as special foreign correspondents in conflict zones around the world.British-born Penhaul hails from CNN and has been based in Latin America since 1995. He has won a clutch of awards for his work, including the 2010 Cine Golden Eagle for "La bestia," his docu charting illegal immigration from Central America to the U.S.He was also part of a CNN team that won the 2006 Peabody award for is reporting of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, as well as the team that won the 2007 Edward R. Murrow award for coverage of the Lebanon war. Chilean photojournalist Villalon, who has worked for Redux Pictures and Getty Images, won second place in the 2010 World Press Photo contest's general news category for his work on cocaine gangs in Colombia.Mexican-born Maria Antonieta Collins -- a TV journalist, radio personality, columnist, author and winner of two Emmys and an Edgar Murrow award -- is joining as a senior special correspondent.Univision also has launched documentary and investigative units and expanded local newscasts in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Raleigh.Univision's documentary unit, headed by scribe-producer Juan Rendon, plans to produce three docus a year.The first out the gate is "Infiltrados" (Infiltrated), set to air in September. It centers on intelligence agents whose infiltration of Colombian left-wing guerrilla org FARC led to the capture of its leaders.Lee, who joined Univision in January, exec-produced NatGeo's 2008 docu "FARC Hostage Rescue," which Rendon penned.Another docu in the works explores the growing influence of Iran across Latin America, and will be a collaboration between the investigative and documentary units, says Lee. Gerardo Reyes, a Pulitzer prize-winning journo previously at the Miami Herald, heads the investigative unit.Univision 24/7 will most likely carry the net's weekly mainstays. These are led by public affairs program "Al punto" (To the Point), which delivers an average 900,000 viewers on Sunday mornings and is anchored by Univision's most influential newscaster, Jorge Ramos; and "Primer impacto" (First Impact), co-anchored by Peru-born, six-time Emmy-winning journo Pamela Silva Conde and Puerto Rican journo Barbara Bermudo."Primer impacto" is the highest-rated Spanish-language daily afternoon news program in the U.S., outperforming syndicated English-language counterparts "Inside Edition," "Extra" and "Insider" in the 18-34 demo.While reluctant to reveal more details about Univision 24/7, Lee stresses that the new hires and other efforts to produce more in-depth news coverage aim to provide U.S. Hispanic auds with compelling news reports."All this reaffirms Univision's commitment to invest in its inhouse news operations and expand its news franchise," says Lee. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

BBC Director General: 'Why James Murdoch Is Wrong Concerning the BBC'

EDINBURGH - They are saying that revenge is really a dish best offered cold. BBC director general Mark Thompsonhas anxiously waited two painful years to provide a high profile smackdown to James Murdoch, whose 2009 attack on the BBC he stated was "chilling in scale" and throttling commercial ambition made head lines around world.our editor suggests Rupert Murdoch 'Very Humbled' because he Apologizes Personally towards the Group of Killed Schoolgirl Milly Dowler'Countdown With Keith Olbermann' to pay for Rupert Murdoch Testimony in U.K. Parliament Tuesday Within an article marking the outlet of the year's MediaGuardian Edinburgh Worldwide Television Festival, Thompson has rounded in the news Corp deputy COO's now-famous MacTaggart lecture, saying the toxic fallout in the News around the globe hacking scandal now gave it "an unpredicted and almost tragic irony." Rupert Murdoch's youngest boy had used it to fight the BBC and media government bodies. He ignored the ambitions of license-fee funded BBC television and told an ashen-faced audience that News Corp's view was that "the only real reliable, durable and perpetual guarantee of independence is profit." At that time, Murdoch was responsible for this news Worldwide newspaper group which has belong to severe political and police scrutiny for alleged criminal behavior that might have been common. Murdoch's concentrate on profit marked exactly what the BBC boss stated was "our prime water mark not only of 1 strain of economic and moral purism about media, but additionally from the singular deference that that purism was recognized for such a long time by a lot of.Inch "It's an expression which covers his [James Murdoch's] entire situation that types of public intervention in and unsafe effects of media are generally morally reprehensible and practically useless," Thompson authored within the Protector newspaper, the Edinburgh TV Festival's primary sponsor. "Yet it had been under just these conditions - the least heavy of sunshine touch regulation, minimal oversight and accountability, commercial factors towards the forefront - the catastrophe in the News around the globe unfolded," Thompson stated. Within the 2 yrs which have passed since 2009. Mark Thompson has needed to accept a number of painful cuts to both BBC's budgets and it is ambition, diminishing the $6 billion-a-year broadcaster up to 20%. Simultaneously it's retreated from numerous industries including on the internet and magazines, following critique within the speech. Alhough he stated he agreed with James Murdoch's need to safeguard newspapers from just as much scrutiny as tv stations face within the United kingdom, the BBC director general saved his sternest rebuke for that News Corp deputy COO and BSkyB chairman for last, within an essay which will have cheered many within the BBC. "The only real reliable, durable and perpetual guarantor of independence isn't profit. Nor whom you know. Nor what corners you are able to cut. It's integrity." The telephone-hacking facts have forced News Corp to abandon its takeover of BSkyB, close lower the 163-years old News around the globe and concentrate management time on a number of criminal research which have seen 12 former staff arrested, including Rebekah Brooksand L'ensemble des Hinton, a couple of Rupert Murdoch's nearest confidantes. The tectonic changes wrought through the hacking scandal is going to be much talked about within the next 72 hours within the bars and corridors from the Edinburgh TV Festival, although their discussion doesn't form area of the merry-go-round of sections, speeches and tests, possibly showing too questionable for conference coordinators. Elsewhere in the Festival, Google Boss Eric Schmidtwill deliver this season's MacTaggart on Friday, telling associates the internet giant needs creativeness and content. Other highlights incorporate a masterclass with Ough Gervais, an analysis of Downton Abbey, a screening from the 9/11 Decadeand interviews with the primary funnel heads. The festival begins Friday 26 through Sunday 26. Related Subjects James Murdoch Phone Hacking Scandal

Is Ben Flajnik Basic steps New Bachelor?

La, Calif. -- Ben Flajniks rose might have wilted as a result of Bachelorette Ashley Hebert on the newest season from the ABC reality show, however it appears like it'll soon be Ben providing the roses themself. The 28-years old wine maker from Sonoma, Calif., continues to be drawn on because the next Bachelor, based on various reviews on Wednesday. In the morning on Wednesday, Existence & Style reported the casting news, adopted later within the day with sources verifying to both Us Weekly and Entertainment Weekly. When approached to have an official comment in the news, a representative for ABC would only tell Access Hollywood that, We now have absolutely nothing to announce at this time. About the Bachelorette season finale, Ashley chose JP Rosenbaum over Ben however, romance gossips rapidly swirled for that declined suitor with another notable title: Jennifer Love Hewitt. The actress triggered a significant stir on Twitter in This summer when she authored, Watching The Bachelorette! I really like u Ben!! Take this rose I've for u! Choose me!!!!:). However, the first kind Ghost Whisperer star rapidly shot lower any whispers of the flourishing romance. I had been searching for something popular culture to kind of tweet about Im a new comer to the Twitter situation. I needed to enjoy the tweeters available on the planet, Jennifer told Ryan Seacrest within an interview a week ago, when requested if she and Ben were dating. So, I sent funny tweets about Ben F., after which it got all kind of like, blown from proportion or whatever, and today its like the rumor mill is crazy. Despite her denial, Jennifer and Ben were spotted in Bay Area at the begining of August a conference which Jennifer stated was totally by coincidence. Coincidence or otherwise, it seems his encounter using the actress might have sealed the offer on his newly found Bachelor status. They believe hell be rankings gold, a resource told Us Weekly of why ABC chose Ben. His date with Jennifer Love Hewitt was icing about the cake! Not sure on when ABC can make the state announcement from the new Bachelor. AH Nation Poll: Would Ben be the ideal choice because the new Bachelor? Click The Link to cast your election! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Stephen Lang on Conan the Barbarian and Character Roles: 'I Don't Mind Being Typed Right Now'

Actor Stephen Lang, award-winning veteran of stage, film, and television, earned his biggest success to date playing the hardened Colonel Miles Quaritch in James Cameron’s Avatar. But in the wake of Avatar, the character actor was looking for a departure of sorts, and he found it in the mythic fantasy landscape conceived by Robert E. Howard playing a bloodthirsty warlord in Marcus Nispel’s Conan the Barbarian. Lang, who’s built a film career out of playing various sorts of cowboys, villains, lawmen, and strong-jawed types, seems to seek variation within the mantle of character actor while simultaneously straining against it. “I think if I’d been offered sort of a paler version of Col. Quaritch from Avatar, it wouldn’t have interested me,” he told Movieline during a conversation at Comic-Con last month, where Avatar cos-players have been known to walk the halls in full Na’vi gear. And yet, if filmmakers come calling with him in mind for another authority figure type of role, that’s still fine. “In a way, I don’t mind being typed right now.” Movieline caught up with Lang to chat about his work in Conan the Barbarian, his possible return to the Avatar franchise, his philosophy when it comes to choosing projects, and the uncanny resemblance his Conan character Khalar Zym bears to the warlord race of another iconic genre property. Conan the Barbarian seems so different a role for you, even considering that you’ve been acting for so long and have played so many varied characters. Were you looking to branch out with this particular role? Well, when they sent me the script I thought the role was terrific. I thought it was an opportunity to really do a transformation. Right away I knew I wanted to do something in which I’d be unrecognizable, where the role would really take over. And I love action films, particularly something that takes place in such an exotic [setting], and the weaponry would be strange and different and it would be really demanding. So I was really looking forward to it. About your character’s look — you wanted to be “unrecognizable” and Khalar Zym is certainly a transformative role for you. He looks almost Klingon-like, even. You know, I’ve heard that once or twice actually and I’m not actually a devotee of that franchise at all, so that’s an unintended parallel, for sure. [Laughs] All of the villains in Conan have striking, interesting looks - Rose McGowan’s character Marique as well. You two make quite the pair. Yes, she’s wonderful. She plays my daughter. But I thought the departments did a superb job in bringing it to life. You know, that land that Robert Howard describes — it’s unlike any other, so you have to bring something hopefully unique and very vivid to it, and everybody did. Speaking of unique takes on the material, Jason Momoa’s Conan is such a departure from the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger portrayal. How did you two get along and strike your chemistry on set? Well, I didn’t know him when I showed up but I liked him from the first day we started working together. He’s very powerful. I thought we were a good match-up together, we were strength to strength, I thought. He’s just an all-around hard worker, he’s a lot of fun to act with and very improvisational. We had a good time together! To me, he is Conan. No question of it, to me. He looks it and he really breathes it. When I spoke with him he described the feeling of having to prove himself after doing Baywatch. Have you felt anything similar in your career, wanting to show audiences or the industry that you could do something wildly different than they might expect? I guess so, I’m sure it’s crossed my mind at times. I think when you look at roles, even looking at Khalar Zym, the idea of doing another… what I don’t want to do is repeat myself. And I think if I’d been offered sort of a paler version of Col. Quaritch from Avatar, it wouldn’t have interested me. But part of what is interesting to me about doing a part like this is you really get a chance to spread your wings, to really show other colors that you’ve got. So I always look for that. I don’t know if it’s a question of proving myself, I don’t worry about that too much anymore, but I suppose in some sense you have to prove yourself every time you go out there. Avatar was among your many character roles, but your portrayal of Quaritch was instantly iconic to audiences. Did you find you were getting a lot of similar offers after that? Yeah, but I think the first thing I did after, and even while I was working on Avatar, was Public Enemies, which was very, very different of course. But also kind of an iconic kind of a role. Over the years I’ve played everything from cowards to heroes and if at this stage of my career people think of me to play authority figures, whether they be in the future or whether they be in the mythic past, whatever — that’s cool. [Laughs] in a way I don’t mind being typed right now. That said, how do you think you’ll be involved in the future of Avatar? Well, I can’t comment or speculate on that now. I think everything in that is something that is for another Comic-Con, down the line. How much do you enjoy coming to gatherings like these, interacting directly with fans of your films? Oh, Comic-Con is a phenomenon unlike anything else. I think it’s great to be with all the fans, I mean they really are the reason that we do it in the first place. And to see the passion and affection they have for certain characters, for certain franchises… it’s fascinating, for one thing, and it’s nice to be on the receiving end of it. It’s like rooting for a team you love; people get very passionate and they really throw their hearts into it. Conan the Barbarian is in theaters now.

Lovejoy And Redknapps Better Of Football

Tim Lovejoy and, former England worldwide, Jamie Redknapp fall into line within this specifically shot DVD that does what is states about the sleeve the very best of Football brings you the most effective in football action. Tim and Jamie provide you with the low-lower about the best ever goals, misses and free kicks. Additionally they provide you with rare clips of TV commentators for action, managers who really performed the overall game as well as provide the definitive explanation of the half-volley kind of. Lovejoy & Redknapps Better Of Football comes complete using the best footage, top gamers, sensational showboating and unbelievable moments from the field of football.

Historical Epic is Hope of Taiwan Film Industry

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng's "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seedig Bale" is stirring hopes that the island's film industry is set to stage a comeback after two decades of doldrums.His four-hour epic will be premiered at next month's Venice Film Festival. It is about a 1930 aboriginal uprising against Taiwan's Japanese rulers.It was 10 years in preparation and has a $24 million budget, which is huge for a Taiwanese film.Wei paid special tribute Monday to Seedig Bale's aboriginal actors as few of whom had any professional acting experience.Taiwanese pop star Vivian Hsu who stars in the film said the aboriginals had natural acting ability.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng's "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seedig Bale" is stirring hopes that the island's film industry is set to stage a comeback after two decades of doldrums.His four-hour epic will be premiered at next month's Venice Film Festival. It is about a 1930 aboriginal uprising against Taiwan's Japanese rulers.It was 10 years in preparation and has a $24 million budget, which is huge for a Taiwanese film.Wei paid special tribute Monday to Seedig Bale's aboriginal actors as few of whom had any professional acting experience.Taiwanese pop star Vivian Hsu who stars in the film said the aboriginals had natural acting ability.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

REVIEW: One Day? Feels More Like 20 Years

Great romances don’t always happen overnight. But we need to wait nearly 20 years for the romance in Lone Scherfig’s One Day to get cooking, and for long stretches it seems as if we’re watching this particular pair of nonstarters hem and haw in real time. Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess play Em and Dexter, who meet not-so-cute one night in 1988, just after they’ve both graduated from some unnamed English university. She’s gawky and wears glasses; he’s upper-crusty, as we can tell from his forelock. After a mild drunken flirtation, the two toddle back to her flat with the intent of having casual sex. The first thing Em does upon entering her cramped digs it put on a Tracy Chapman record. Back in the day, we used to call that a wienie shrinker, and Dex would be inclined to agree. Still, the two become friends and keep in touch over the years. The story is constructed so that we drop in on them every year on the same day — July 15, which, Dex informs Em (and us) at the beginning, is St. Swithin’s Day, though what that has to do with anything is barely explained. The weather on St. Swithin’s Day, according to lore in the British Isles, determines what the weather will be like for the next 40 days. But apparently, it has no effect whatsoever on determining the fate of couples, and you have to sit through the interminable whole of One Day to find out what happens to this one. And so we follow Dex and Em through the late ’80s, as Dex traipses from one exotic or interesting locale to the next, bedding a new girl whenever he pleases, and Em continues to wear her glasses and many baggy outfits, silently carrying a torch for her wayward pal as she toils at a lousy London restaurant job. In the ’90s, Dex becomes an obnoxious TV host and Em becomes a grade-school teacher, which only intensifies the state of her horrific sartorial choices, which at this point include droopy calico dresses, ankle socks and Doc Martens. Through it all, Dex and Em become involved with other people — Dex snares frosty Romola Garai; Em settles for hapless comic Rafe Spall — but still occasionally sniff around one another, just in case. They sniff and sniff until finally — well, never mind. If you’ve already read the David Nicholls novel on which One Day is based, you pretty much know the drill, and if you haven’t, you have some 15 July 15ths to sit through before you find out if these two will finally get their act together. (Nicholls also adapted the screenplay.) The core conceit is adorable enough, and here and there One Day is stupidly enjoyable. Patricia Clarkson shows up for a few sparkling scenes, until she’s forced into the role of (spoiler alert!) cancer mom. And then there’s always the nostalgia quotient: As Dex and Em lounge on a European beach, circa the late ’80s, he reads a copy of The Face, she’s got Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being. It’s a great little detail. But we never really know what these two see in each other. They keep claiming to be the best of friends, but there’s no visible, or invisible, connection between them. We see Dex needily ringing up Em, only to get her answering machine; Em moons over Dex before becoming completely exasperated with him, although of course she still loves them. We intuit that there’s some potential there only from the context, not from anything going on between the two actors, and Scherfig — the Danish-born director who made waves with the 2009 An Education — allows them to go through the motions rather than pushing them to dig for more. Sturgess is reasonably believable here: Dex is, to put it simply, kind of a shit, and Sturgess is much more bearable when he’s playing a self-centered jerk rather than, say, an MIT poker naif, as he did in Robert Luketic’s 21. Hathaway is cast with the bum role here, and it crushes her: She spends too much of the movie blinking unconvincingly through those wire-rimmed owl glasses. Midway through the story, she discovers contact lenses and buys a new outfit, finally shedding that godforsaken Laura Ashley garb. But even that significant transformation isn’t enough. One Day still means nearly two hours of watching a doe-eyed doormat pine for the man who loves her but doesn’t know it yet. Long before he wakes up and smells the Earl Grey — just in time for a jarring tearjerker of a climax — the tea-cozy romanticism of One Day has turned into a kind of slow suffocation.