NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Powers Up Telemundo Studios As Network Leads Spanish-Language Prime Time
April 18, 2024
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, the leading media company serving U.S. Hispanics, unveiled a new structure for Telemundo Studios designed to boost its scripted content offering to meet Latinos’ growing demand for culturally relevant storytelling across linear and streaming platforms. The announcement was made by Luis Fernandez, Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.
“With this streamlined structure, we are doubling down on our commitment to serve the Latino community with the best scripted content across all platforms for years to come,” said Fernandez.
As part of the new structure, Fernandez elevated Ronald Day to President, Entertainment and Chief Content Officer, who will continue to report directly to him. In his role, Day will expand his responsibilities beyond the network’s entertainment programming and unscripted content, to include Telemundo Studios, comprising the development and production of all scripted content for linear, as well as owned and third-party streaming platforms.
“Ronald has been key in propelling Telemundo to the top with innovative entertainment formats and I am certain that in this new role he will further solidify our leadership position among Latino audiences across all screens,” added Fernandez.
In addition, Day appointed Javier Pons to lead the consolidated Telemundo Studios as Executive Vice President of Telemundo Studios, reporting directly to him. In this newly created role, Pons will be responsible for all scripted productions for the Telemundo network and streaming platforms. A veteran production executive, Pons brings to Telemundo decades of production and management experience across major media companies in Spain, Mexico and France.
“I am thrilled to lead the newly consolidated team and continue to drive Telemundo’s momentum,” said Day. “We welcome Javier who brings tremendous expertise to this role and will help us leverage our extensive production know-how to continue to be the #1 producer of Spanish-language scripted content in the U.S.,” said Day.
Prior to this role, Day was President of Entertainment and Content Strategy, where he oversaw the network’s content strategy with a focus on daily entertainment and in collaboration with Telemundo Global Studios, News and Sports. A media executive with more than three decades of experience in Hispanic entertainment, he joined Telemundo in 2018 as Executive Vice President of Entertainment for Telemundo Networks. During his tenure, Day has led the development and production of Telemundo’s innovative prime time reality shows such as La Casa de los Famosos, Los 50, Exatlon, and Top Chef VIP, as well as highly rated live specials including the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Miss Universe. Prior to joining Telemundo, Day held multiple leadership roles at Univision Network, including Senior Vice President of Programming and Promotions, where he oversaw all executive producers and in-show content. He also oversaw the launch of Telefutura, later rebranded Unimas, the third Spanish-language broadcast network.
“It’s a privilege to join the Telemundo production team leading the evolution of content for Latinos in the US and around the world,” said Pons. “At a time when Latino audiences are rapidly growing and evolving, Telemundo is best positioned to serve them with its premium original productions. Telemundo Studios will continue to strengthen the relationship with our audience with entertainment content that connects with their culture, aspirations and emotions.”
Most recently, Pons was General Director of Globomedia, one of the top production companies in Spain, and Head of TV at The Mediapro Studio. Throughout his extensive career, Pons has held multiple leadership roles in major radio and television companies in Spain including Prisa Radio, Televisión Española and Discovery Kiss. He also worked in Mexico as President of the production company On Demand and as Executive Producer at Estudios Azteca. Most recently, as head of TV at Mediapro Studio, Pons led the production of multiple series for mobile and streaming platforms; co-produced the feature film "Competencia Oficial" by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat, starring Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz, and Oscar Martinez; and served as delegate producer on "El Buen Patrón" by Fernando León with Javier Bardem.
In addition to its linear growth in prime time, for more than a decade Telemundo has provided original Spanish language content to streaming platforms delivering large scale audiences in the US and around the world. The Telemundo app has delivered record growth, and the network has cemented its digital leadership as the #1 broadcast network in YouTube subscribers in Spanish and English for main channels, and the #1 Spanish-language network in social media engagement across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
