Univision drops a major media bombshell just two weeks after the FCC approved an amendment to the foreign-ownership rule, which enabled Mexican media giant Televisa to acquire a larger stake in the network. Media Moves reports that Isaac Lee has been named Chief Content Officer of both Univision and Televisa.
Per the press release:
As part of this initiative, Isaac Lee, who currently serves as the Chief News, Entertainment & Digital Officer for Univision and Chief Executive Officer for Fusion, will assume the role of Chief Content Officer of both Univision and Televisa, effective immediately. His new role unifies the leadership and strategic direction of the production of content for consumers in the United States and Mexico.
This massive shockwave is the first to emerge from the FCC's quiet approval of the rule change. The move, which places Isaac Lee on the Iron Throne for content actoss two networks targeting 175+ million viewers, should serve to quell any lingering doubts about Televisa's intentions with regard to Univision.
As head of Univision's news division, Lee equated those who disagreed with the network's editorial agenda with "Nazis". Under his watch the network went on a digital shopping spree, in order to stave off the demographic reality of an increasingly English-dominant (and thus, not inclined to watch Univision) U.S. Hispanic population.
Univision managed to bleed both money and viewers while under Lee's watch. Some might deem this to be an unfair characterization since Lee hasn't been in charge of Entertainment as long, but it bears noting that Univision's national newscast leads in to prime time. None of this matters, though, as Lee and his reverse Midas touch are promoted yet again.
It is hard to determine the full effect of this move going forward, but as one astute observer pointed out to me: it would shock no one to see Jorge Ramos anchoring a transnational newscast. Although the press release was careful to point out that Televisa's news division would remain independent, it's hard to imagine Lee keeping his hands off of that news division for very long.
Congratulations to Isaac Lee on a nice landing despite gambling big and losing huge. Good luck, Televisa.
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