North American Television Networks Are Eager To Adapt Spanish-Language Telenovelas; Nickelodeon USA Premieres New Nighttime Soap Opera "Hollywood Heights"

From the Los Angeles Times via Lexington Herald Leader:

Networks are eager to adapt Spanish-language telenovelas

LOS ANGELES - Night after night, in households from Puebla to Pico Rivera, tens of millions of loyal viewers tune in to their Spanish-language telenovelas, gasping at the seductions and betrayals on tear-jerkers like "Abismo de Pasion" ("Abyss Of Passion").

Now network executives, desperate to capitalize on the addictive powers of the prime-time soap operas, are copying the formula with English-language versions, starring marquee names. In some cases, they're even borrowing the five-nights-a-week format.

On Monday, the Nickelodeon cable channel premiered its new nighttime soap, "Hollywood Heights," a remake of an overly dramatic Mexican telenovela about a songwriter who falls in love with a rock star. Soap veteran James Franco, star of the film "127 Hours," has a featured role.

Lifetime may pick up "Devious Maids," a sudsy series about four Latina housekeepers in Beverly Hills, produced by "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry and co-starring daytime soap star Susan Lucci.

Both projects originated from Mexican media giant Grupo Televisa, which this spring opened a small studio in Santa Monica, Calif., to dip into its vast library of telenovelas to adapt for English-language networks.

They're chasing a big prize. There are more than 50 million Latinos in the U.S. - the fastest-growing demographic group in the country - with more than $1 trillion in buying power. Latinos make up more than 25 percent of the under-35 set that is so appealing to TV advertisers.

More than half are comfortable speaking English and already are watching the major networks. And TV viewers of all cultures already are binge-viewing multiple episodes at once. The soap-like series "Desperate Housewives," "Gossip Girls" and the "Dallas" reboot were all audience hits. These and other factors suggest the timing is good for a soapy five-nights-a-week serial.

The telenovelas are only one network initiative to reach Latino viewers. This summer, News Corp. plans to roll out MundoFox, a new Spanish-language broadcast network, in collaboration with RCN Television Group, a Colombian media company. The venture will draw from RCN's ample chest of popular telenovelas.

Even "Modern Family," America's top-rated comedy, has winked at telenovela themes. Its final episode last month depicted two characters trying to adopt a baby in the border town of Calexico, where they were thwarted by a telenovela trifecta: a meddling priest, a mysterious cowboy and a controlling grandmother.

"The (characters) were going to a border town, and we said why don't we play it like a telenovela?" said the show's co-creator, Steven Levitan. "We needed a way to make a serious and downer scene funny. What else has ridiculous plot turns and overwrought actors that are far too good-looking? It turned out rather good."

On a spring afternoon near Glendale, Calif., camera operators maneuvered around the old "All My Children" sound stages off San Fernando Road. Several wore vests emblazoned with logos from another canceled ABC soap, "One Life to Live," but now they were working on "Hollywood Heights."

"Heights" is based on the hugely successful "Alcanzar Una Estrella" ("Reach for a Star"), which made its debut in Mexico in 1990 and spawned sequels, including one the following year featuring singer Ricky Martin. Co-produced by Sony Pictures Television, the show contains classic telenovela elements: betrayal, shock, longing gazes, steely-eyed glares and slamming doors - lots of slamming doors.

Nickelodeon will run the show in true telenovela fashion, with a new episode scheduled every weeknight from now through September.

"It will be like reading a summer book at the beach," said Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon's president of original programming and development. "Every day it's a continuation of the story. It will end up feeling like a prime-time soap."

The pursuit of telenovelas comes as traditional soaps are being scrubbed out. From a high of nearly 20 daily series, only four remain: NBC's "Days of Our Lives," CBS' "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," and ABC's "General Hospital."

Now, a former "General Hospital" executive producer is running "Hollywood Heights," and the show's head writer also came up through the daytime-drama ranks.

How hot are telenovelas? Even "General Hospital" graduate James Franco will appear as part of a "Hollywood Heights" subplot.

The difference between the daytime soaps and their nighttime telenovela counterparts, the producers say, is that the canceled English-language serials appealed largely to older female viewers. The Spanish-language versions, however, draw multiple generations.

"These shows have been very successful in attracting families, particularly in the Latino community," Nickelodeon's Cohn said. "They have juicy stories and larger-than-life characters."

Televisa, an $11-billion enterprise that owns television networks, soccer teams and magazines, is the world's largest producer of telenovelas that already score with viewers in the U.S.

Network executives hope the English-language versions share other traits with their Spanish-language antecedents. According to a recent Rentrak study of TV viewer engagement, the Televisa-produced show on Univision, "La Que No Podia Amar" ("The One Who Couldn't Love"), held more of its viewers from beginning to end than any other show on the air, surpassing the most popular shows on television, including CBS' "NCIS," "60 Minutes" and "The Mentalist." Third on the Rentrak list was Televisa's other Univision hit, "Abismo de Pasion."

This isn't the first time U.S. programmers have flirted with telenovelas. Six years ago, ABC scored by turning a wildly popular Colombian telenovela into "Ugly Betty," a dramedy about a clumsy heroine.

But "Ugly Betty" ran once a week. The last time an American company tried a true telenovela, the results were catastrophic. Fox's MyNetwork TV flopped badly in 2006 with a series of cheaply produced programs for English-speaking audiences, including "Fashion House," which starred Bo Derek.

The network lost an estimated $50 million on its telenovela try. "The networks are under pressure to try new things and take some bigger risks," said Danielle Gonzales, managing director of the Chicago-based multicultural ad agency Tapestry.

"Networks have tried scripted shows, reality shows, and here is this different format: a novella with a beginning, middle and end."

With more than two-thirds of U.S. Latinos having Mexican heritage, network executives are particularly interested in the soaps produced there.

Until recently, Televisa showed little interest in reaching English-speaking audiences. Then, a little more than a year ago, producers and network executives - including a delegation from Nickelodeon - began traveling to Mexico City, seeking permission to adapt their telenovelas into English-language shows, which led to the opening of the Santa Monica studio.

Televisa's stated "Latin feel with American appeal" goal - shared by its U.S.-based co-producers - is to extend the reach beyond Latino viewers. That translates into more diverse casts. Only a handful of actors on "Hollywood Heights" are Latino.

"Everyone is trying to target the Latino market, but we are trying to do something a bit broader here," said Paul Presburger, managing director of Televisa USA.

"Latinos want to watch universal stories with Hollywood stars, often Latin stars, going through experiences that everybody goes through."

After all, U.S.-born Latinos are more likely to watch English-language television. About 70 percent of such first-generation Latinos watch English-language channels. That number exceeds 90 percent for second-generation U.S.-born Latinos, according to according to a Pew Hispanic Center study.

Carlos Ponce, a telenovela star in Mexico, now plays the father of rock star Eddie Duran on Nickelodeon's "Hollywood Heights."

"I compare this to 'The Cosby Show,'" Ponce said last month before filming a scene. "That wasn't a show about an African-American family, it was a show about a family that happened to be African American. In this case, it's the same thing. We're second- and third-generation (Latinos), which is what this country is built of right now."

Nintendo To Take Their Brand New "Mario Kart 7" Nintendo 3DS Video Game On The Road Around The USA With Nickelodeon Boy Band "Big Time Rush" As Part Of BTR's North American "Big Time Summer Tour"

Below is a via Nintendo press release via Business Wire:

Nintendo Takes Mario Kart 7 on the Road with Nickelodeon's Music Sensation Big Time Rush

Concertgoers to Enjoy Hands-On Game Play with Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS at Big Time Rush Tour Stops Across the Nation

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, Nickelodeon's teen music phenomenon Big Time Rush is sharing its excitement about Nintendo's Mario Kart 7 game in a big way, giving fans from coast to coast a chance to join Mario and his Mushroom Kingdom friends for new kart-racing fun on land, in the air and under the sea. Known as the stars of Nickelodeon's hit television series Big Time Rush, the band is teaming up with Nintendo to offer free hands-on demos of Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS system on its upcoming U.S. tour, "Big Time Summer Tour". From July 5 to Aug. 5, attendees at select Big Time Rush concerts can visit Nintendo 3DS demo stations and experience the game’s wild Mario-themed action, multiplayer features and kart customization options firsthand.

"Big Time Rush fans will discover a new kind of rush when they tear up the track with Mario"

A Mario Kart 7 sampling station and mobile sampling teams will be available at participating concert venues, giving fans a unique chance to play the game, enjoy special photo opportunities and compete for prizes. Fans will also be able to download Mii characters based on the members of Big Time Rush – Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos – and fans who bring their own Nintendo 3DS systems to the concerts will be able to wirelessly access content for Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo Zone hotspots. Additionally, viewers can look forward to seeing Big Time Rush in an upcoming television ad campaign for Mario Kart 7.

"Big Time Rush fans will discover a new kind of rush when they tear up the track with Mario," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "The frenetic fun of Mario Kart 7 makes a great match with the band's energetic music. The chance to get hands-on with Nintendo 3DS will make each of these concerts even more memorable for attendees, whether they’re experienced gamers or newcomers."

"We couldn't be more excited to take Mario Kart 7 out on the road for our tour this summer," said Big Time Rush. "We are all huge Nintendo fans and our new partnership provides a cool way to share the fun of Nintendo 3DS with people all over the country."

Mario Kart 7 is the latest installment in Nintendo’s fan-favorite racing franchise, loaded with new customizable karts, new courses and multiplayer options that let up to eight Nintendo 3DS owners race together wirelessly. Players can race as a favorite Mushroom Kingdom character or as their personal Mii character, and for the first time in the series, they can race not only on land but also underwater or in the air. The game also makes use of the unique capabilities of Nintendo 3DS with access to StreetPass and SpotPass* content and the ability to play in full 3D without the need for special glasses.

Mario Kart 7 demo stations will be available at the following Big Time Rush tour dates (subject to change):

July 5: Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena
July 6: Milwaukee – Summerfest
July 7: St. Louis – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 8: Cincinnati – Riverbend Music Center
July 10: Atlanta – Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood
July 11: Birmingham, Ala. – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
July 13: Houston – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
July 14: Dallas – Gexa Energy Pavilion
July 15: Tulsa, Okla. – BOK Center
July 17: Phoenix – Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion
July 19: Irvine, Calif. – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 20: San Diego – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
July 21: Las Vegas – Mandalay Bay Events Center
July 22: Mountain View, Calif. – Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 23: Paso Robles, Calif. – California Mid-State Fair
July 25: Salt Lake City – USANA Amphitheatre Energy Solutions Arena
July 27: Kansas City, Mo. – Sprint Center
July 28: Minneapolis – Target Center
July 29: Indianapolis – Klipsch Music Center
July 31: Clarkston, Mich. – DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 1: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – Blossom Music Center
Aug. 3: Louisville, Ky. – KFC Yum! Center
Aug. 4: Tinley Park, Ill. – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 5: Burgettstown, Pa. – First Niagara Pavilion

Now in its third season, Big Time Rush – which follows four best friends from Minnesota who trade in their hockey sticks for music superstardom in Los Angeles – averages 3.6 million total viewers (+2 percent, over season one). The launch of the hit series on Nickelodeon drew 6.8 million viewers, making it the most watched live-action series premiere in the network's history.

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

For more information about Mario Kart 7, visit http://mariokart7.nintendo.com. Additional information about Big Time Rush, including tour details and music videos, can be found at http://www.btrband.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.9 billion video games and more than 630 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

* Internet access required for SpotPass

Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at http://press.nintendo.com, a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please contact Deanna Talamantez at 213-438-8742 or dtalamantez@golinharris.com. Users can receive instant Nintendo information by subscribing to the site’s RSS feed.

Contacts

GOLIN HARRIS
Jonathan Silverstein, 212-373-6056
jsilverstein@golinharris.com
or
Kaitlin Roach, 212-373-6061
kroach@golinharris.com.

Also, from Nintendo Gal:

Big Time Rush, Mario Kart 7 Team Up


Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart 7 will be along for the Big Time Rush tour entitled, “Big Time Summer Tour”. The tour will be taking place in various locations throughout the US from July 5th to August 5th. Attendees will be able to sample Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS as well as take photos and compete for prizes. Mii characters based on Big Time Rush, Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos, will also be available for those who bring their own 3DS systems.

A list was provided of where the tour will be headed ([see above;] subject to change):

Nickelodeon USA To Air The Finale Of 'Season 1, Book 1' Of The Popular Animated Original Nickelodeon Series "The Legend of Korra" On 23rd June 2012 At 11am (ET/PT)

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release via TVbytheNumbers announcing the "The Legend of Korra" Nickelodeon News:

Season 1, Book 1 Finale of Nickelodeon's Hit Animated Adventure Series, 'The Legend of Korra', Premieres Saturday, June 23


via press release:

Season 1, Book 1 Finale of Nickelodeon's Hit Animated Adventure Series, The Legend of Korra, Premieres Saturday, June 23, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with an Hour-Long TV Event

Nicktoons to Showcase Special Two-Week Event Featuring Exclusive Commentary from Series Creators Beginning July 9

In the first half of The Legend of Korra Season 1, Book 1 finale, "Skeletons in the Closest," premiering at 11 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, Korra goes undercover as the war between benders and non-benders intensifies. In episode two, "Endgame," Korra faces the Equalists’ mysterious leader, Amon, as the war in Republic City comes to a head.

After the finale, The Legend of Korra fans can learn more about the mythology and creation of this franchise by tuning into the Nicktoons' "Korra: Making of a Legend" special event from July 9 – July 20 during which all twelve episodes from Season 1, Book 1 will air weekdays at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Each “creators cut” episode offers insight into the creation of the stunning imagery, mythology and storyline where series creators and executive producers, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, provide commentary.

The Legend of Korra follows the adventures of the next Avatar - a passionate, rebellious and fearless teenage girl from the Southern Water Tribe named Korra who continually challenges and bucks tradition on her quest to become a fully realized Avatar in a world where benders are under attack.

Intern Opportunity In Nickelodeon UK's Creative Services Department

According to Filmmakers United Jobs on their official Twitter profile page (@fujobs), Mandy's Film and TV Production Directory has announced that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland are currently looking for a new Intern to work in Nickelodeon UK's Creative Services department:

Vacancy: Intern – creative services
Employer: Nickelodeon
Location: London
Duration: 6 months with poss. extension, starts ASAP

The Creative Services department at Nickelodeon is responsible for the creation of commercials, sponsorships, competition spots etc. for all Nick channels. The Intern will support the entire department with a focus on administrative and post production duties. The Intern will work alongside the Production Coordinator and report to the Production Manager. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MAIN FOCUS OF THIS ROLE IS ORGANISATIONAL AND FCP SKILLS ESSENTIAL.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Clearcast submissions, updates and documentation.
- General administrative duties (processing of invoices, documentation, etc.).
- Delivery of finished assets to the broadcast facilities including the creation of database entries.
- Assistance at shoots.

REQUIRED SKILLS
- Administration and a good understanding of MS Office, Outlook, databases.
- Confident user of all basic FCP functionalities
- Understanding of the post-production process
- Organised and calm under pressure

PAY
Pay will be based on national minimum wages and 35 hours per week. The usual hours are 10.00-18.00 but may vary according to the needs of the department.

[Nickelodeon UK Job Vacancy] Expires: 25 Jun 2012.

If you're interested in working at Nickelodeon UK and getting an internship at Nickelodeon UK's Creative Services department, you can apply here on the official 'Mandy's Film and TV Production Directory' website at Mandy.com.

Video Of Nickelodeon UK's New '"Camp Orange Rocks!" Thank-You For Auditioning For Camp Orange 2012! Who Will Make It To Camp Orange?' Promo

Below is a streaming video clip and transcript of Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's brand new '"Camp Orange Rocks!" Thankyou for auditioning for Camp Orange 2012! Who will make it to Camp Orange?' trailer which Nickelodeon UK is using on Nickelodeon UK's official "Camp Orange" website on the official Nickelodeon UK website, Nick.co.uk, to say thank-you to everyone who sent in a audition tape to be part of the next series of "Camp Orange UK", "Camp Orange 2012", Nickelodeon's adventure reality show for best friends, which Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will premiere and show throughout August 2012 as part of "Summer On Nickelodeon 2012".

Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's brand new '"Camp Orange Rocks!" Thank-you for auditioning for Camp Orange 2012! Who will make it to Camp Orange?' promo is narrated by Nickelodeon UK Presenter Anna Williamson, who will also be co-presenting Nickelodeon UK's "Camp Orange 2012" with her Nickelodeon UK co-host Jamie Rickers, and features video clips for some of the auditionees's who auditions to be part of "Camp Orange 2012 UK":

We had hundreds and hundreds of auditions sent to us to take part in this years Camp Orange.

Thank you so much if you sent one in!

As you can see, they are all amazing!

[Two girls in a shopping centre: Camp Orange Rocks!]

You're auditions featured amazing skills, lines...

[Boy standing on top of a rock with his teammate: Camp Orange Rocks!]

...[...] wigs, and an odd man in an orange suit.

[Girl doing star jumps [jumping jacks] with a friend: We want to go on Camp Orange because we like a competition!]

[...]

[Two boys standing in a high street/village holding a banner saying "Camp Orange Rocks!": Camp Orange Rocks!]

And in addition to your amazing talents, you let the nation know that Camp Orange Rocks!

[Two girls standing up through a car's sunroof: Camp Orange Rocks! Woo!]

Loads of great teams, but who will make it to Camp Orange?

[Girl pouring green slime over her teammates head: Forgive me!]

[Girl on blue Space Hopper: I'm a Cowboy! Ye-hay!]

[Two girls sitting in front of a fountain holding a "Camp Orange Rocks!!!" banner: Camp Orange Rocks!]

Camp Orange, Coming Soon!

Nick.co.uk/camporange.