As the 2026 Upfront season heats up, Telemundo arrives with momentum — and a clear mission. From a landmark franchise milestone to the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history, the network is doubling down on delivering culturally resonant content that moves audiences and drives real results for advertisers. Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, Luis Fernández talks programming power, the value of live, and what success looks like this Upfront season.
Which offering are you most excited about presenting this year?
We’re excited about the quality, creativity and relevance of our programming slate, particularly our live content designed to give our audience what they want in the moment, right as it’s happening. We are not just delivering content—we’re building lifelong Latino fandoms and connections through iconic ‘must-see’ storytelling, unforgettable characters, and truly memorable moments.
Telemundo’s unique proposition is to develop and produce franchise ecosystems that build fandom across every platform – linear, streaming, digital, and social – with stories created by Latinos, for Latinos. This authenticity and relevance drive deep engagement and lasting audience loyalty.
In 2026, that momentum continues with the return of two powerhouse franchises. “El Señor de los Cielos” reaches its landmark 10th season – an Emmy Award-winning franchise and a true decade of dominance – raising the bar with cinematic scale and high-octane storytelling led by Rafael Amaya. And “Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso” returns with a bold, modern reinvention, bringing back fan-favorite talent in a fresh, high-stakes chapter.
Together, these franchises showcase the scale, passion, and cultural impact that only Telemundo can deliver.
In addition to the return of our fan-favorite reality shows “La Casa de los Famosos” and “Top Chef VIP,” we continue to expand our unscripted content, including new, innovative formats such as “Operación Triunfo” and “House of Villains”. Music will continue to be one of Telemundo’s major strategic bets with live specials like the “Billboard Latin Music Awards.”
Sports remain one of our most powerful platforms for connection and engagement, anchored by Telemundo as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This will be the largest tournament in history – and once it concludes, Telemundo will continue to deliver world-class sports as the exclusive Spanish-language home of major properties including Premier League, Liga MX, NBA, NFL and MLB, among others.
And just as important is News. In a moment where trust, clarity, and objectivity matter more than ever, our commitment is simple: “las cosas como son” – to tell it like it is. This principle guides our News team every day, ensuring our audience stays informed, empowered, and connected to what matters most in their lives and communities.
Where are you finding the most value – premium live content, sports, or digital extensions?
All of the above – value is no longer in one genre or platform, it’s in how we seamlessly connect them.
Telemundo is the home of live TV, with more than 70% of our programming happening in real time – from news and daytime to specials and, of course, major sports events like the FIFA World Cup™.
What makes that even more powerful is how we extend those moments across every platform. By connecting live, streaming, and data, we’re able to show up in the moments that matter and scale them across the entire ecosystem in a way that drives deeper reach and engagement for both audiences and advertisers.
What will define a “successful” Upfront season for Telemundo in 2026?
Success for us is about turning audiences and relevance into real business impact, for us, but most importantly for our clients.
Telemundo sits at the center of the moments that matter most to U.S. Hispanics – whether it’s the FIFA World Cup™, our signature entertainment franchises, or 24/7 news that drives daily connection.
It’s not just about scale – it’s about relevance. And it’s about extending that connection across every screen – linear, streaming, and digital – powered by the precision of NBCUniversal’s One Platform.
Our success will be defined by how we bring together relevance, multiplatform scale, and measurable outcomes for our partners, and we’re right on track.
