Newcomer iTunes Latino is launching its first sponsorship, distributing to attendees a card with a code redeemable for downloads of 10 tracks by Billboard Latin Music Awards finalists. They recently announced their new “relationship” with Telemundo integrating their popular programming into the download giant’s library.

“We’re thrilled to be iTunes’ first Hispanic TV property,” said Don Browne, President, Telemundo. “Partnerships like these are all about our viewers and following their needs. We can offer our original content to our audience through innovative and hugely popular platforms such as iTunes, which is why we are pioneers in the Spanish-language television and digital media industries.”

“We’re delighted to work with Telemundo and mun2 to offer outstanding Latin programming on the iTunes Store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “iTunes is the world’s most popular video download store selling over one million videos a week, and now offers over 250 TV shows from over 40 networks.”

Two of Telemundo’s most popular novelas to date, “Pasión de Gavilanes” and “El Cuerpo del Deseo” are stories about love, revenge and all the passion that comes in between, featuring stellar casts that include telenovela heartthrob, Mario Cimarro, among others. A hit since its premiere in May 2005, “Decisiones” is a nightly series featuring stories based on people’s life experiences and the decisions they make to pull through them. “mun2: The Immigration Special” introduces viewers to the life of an undocumented high school student from El Salvador who lobbies legislators to help secure a future for himself and others like him.

Apple launched their new service with the pretty cool spot below. Featuring “Pachuco” from the very popular Kumbia Kings.


Between the “official” merger of Telemundo.com and Yahoo! last week and this partnership with Apple, Telemundo stands poised to be the industry leader in new media and media integration. Univision…you are crazy for not doing your homework or are you too busy with the new acquisition? Where is your music service or partnership? Even Sony Connect has Latin music, but do not currently market it to Hispanics. I believe if Univision does not react soon, they will have a hard time catching up. Unvision.com is stale and entirely dependent on the broadcast giants monopoly of talent and the bullying of it’s partners and content suppliers. Could the playing fields finally be leveling out? We will soon see.

- Written by Miamiadguy