Fox International Channels has sold its interest in U.S. Spanish-language broadcast network MundoFox to its joint-venture partner RCN Television Group.
Executives at RCN said their decision to purchase their share of the network came from differences with Fox International. “Fox wanted to focus on its own cable channels while we wanted to continue in the open (broadcast) network television sector,” said Julián Giraldo, executive vice president of international channels at RCN.
He promised there will be no significant changes at MundoFox, which launched in the fall of 2012 offering what executives described as “teleseries,” centered on action and drama versions of U.S. shows such as as “24” or “Bones.”
Fox delivered original scripted and unscripted series, including an adaptation of “The X Factor,” news programming and dubbed episodes of Fox and FX series including “American Dad” and “The Bridge” to MundoFox. RCN contributed telenovelas and other funding.
The goal: draw more interest from male viewers who may not have been interested in the telenovelas that dominate the lineup of Spanish-language leaders Univision and Telemundo.
But visibility for MundoFox in key markets was a challenge from the start, as its affiliates were mostly small indie outlets that didn’t bring significant audience shares. The network has a very low profile in New York, the No. 1 market in the U.S., making advertising sales a challenge.
“We’re proud of having started MundoFox with RCN and are confident that they will realize all of the potential of the network,” Hernán López, CEO of Fox International Channels, said in a statement. “Our company continues to be committed to the U.S. Latino marketplace through its Spanish-language channels, Fox Deportes, Nat Geo Mundo and Fox Life.”
Giraldo reiterated full confidence in MundoFox president Ibra Morales, who will remain at the network’s helm.
“RCN is excited to be carrying on the MundoFox network that we started jointly with our partner FIC,” Morales said in a statement.
At MundoFox, early series included “Kadabra,” an action-based serial that had proven popular in Spanish-language broadcasting, and “El Capo,” a drug-cartel drama known as one of Colombia’s most expensive. Many of the series were produced in Colombia, and the network also featured U.S. television shows dubbed into Spanish.
