Former Univision News president Alina Falcon (pictured right) will be taking over as the chief news executive at NBCUniversal’s Spanish-language network Telemundo, TVNewser has learned. Falcon will become senior executive VP of news and alternative programming at the network in early December, reporting to Telemundo president Emilio Romano.
In her new role Falcon will oversee all news programming for Telemundo, as well as all alternative and reality programming.
Falcon stepped down from her position as Univision’s chief news and sports executive last December, transitioning to a consulting role with the company. She had been at Univision for 26 years.
Telemundo has been without a news chief since September, when Ramon Escobar stepped down following the departure of network president Don Browne.
The move is significant, as Falcon (once again) becomes the only woman to lead a major U.S. TV news operation. As Romano notes in the official announcement, Falcon has a proven track record in news, which Telemundo needs if it wants to compete with Univision in that arena.
Update: It’s official. Release after the jump.
TELEMUNDO MEDIA NAMES ALINA FALCON SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS AND ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING
MIAMI – November 28, 2011 – Telemundo Media announced today that Alina Falcon has been named Senior Executive Vice President, News and Alternative Programming and will start in early December. A 28-year award-winning Hispanic media veteran, Falcon has held several leadership positions at Univision Communications, most recently as President of News. In her new role, she will report to Emilio Romano, President, Telemundo Media.
Falcon will have strategic and operational oversight of all Telemundo news properties including the long-running “Al Rojo Vivo with Maria Celeste,” “Noticiero Telemundo” – which is up 12% year-to-date – and the Sunday public affairs show “Enfoque with Jose Diaz-Balart.” Additionally, she will supervise the overall news programming strategy at the local Telemundo stations. Falcon also will oversee Telemundo’s domestic and international news bureaus, as well as all on-air news talent developments.
In this newly created position, Falcon will supervise Telemundo’s alternative and reality programming including current non-scripted productions such as Telemundo’s flagship court show Caso Cerrado con Ana Maria Polo, the daily morning show Levántate and the network’s Sunday prime time talk/variety show, Pa’Lante con Cristina, among others. She will also oversee Telemundo’s popular specials including the top-rated “Billboard Latin Music Awards,” the “Billboard Mexican Music Awards” and “Miss Universe.”
“Alina brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in news excellence and in leading large operations in the Spanish-language media world,” said Romano. “As Hispanic viewers evolve the way they consume news, information and entertainment, Alina’s expertise will be key in leading our news organization and alternative content production into the future.”
“I look forward to joining the great team of professionals at Telemundo Media,” said Falcon. “During this unprecedented time of growth for Hispanics in the country, I am excited to continue serving this influential community with Telemundo’s multi-platform news and information, and the most compelling alternative entertainment.”
A near-30 year veteran of Spanish language news production, Falcon previously served as President of the News Division for Univision Communications where she had strategic and operational oversight of news programming and production across all platforms, including the Univision Network and Television Group.
Prior to that, she served from 2005 to 2010 as Executive Vice President and Operating Manager of the Univision Network and was responsible for overseeing all of the network’s operations, including programming, promotions, talent relations, technical operations, production, business affairs and news. In that capacity, Falcon’s responsibilities included development and execution of all domestic in-house production.
Previously, she held the position of Executive Vice President and Operating Manager of the TeleFutura Network and was Senior Vice President and Director of Univision News.
Falcon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Miami.