Univision to Rebrand TeleFutura as UniMás

New millennial-skewing network will feature grittier programming, more sports

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/3/2012 2:08:03 PM

Univision announced Monday that it will rebrand its TeleFutura network into UniMás in January.

The new network will target Hispanic millennials by featuring grittier programming that include shows featuring bank-heists, criminal underworlds and inner-city boxing stories. It also puts the company's second most popular network under the Univision name. It will be unveiled on-air on Jan. 7, 2013.

UniMás has already inked programming deals with Caracol Television, RTI Colombia and Televisa. Its initial programming slate will feature Caracol's Made in Cartagena, RTI Colombia's Quien Eres Tu and Televisa's Cloroformo. UniMás also has a project in development based on Xavier Velasco's novel Diablo Guardian, which will be adapted by Gustavo Bolivar (El Capo, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso).

UniMás will also increase its soccer coverage, featuring games from the Mexican National Team, Liga MX (Mexico's professional soccer league), the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup next summer, as well as the 2014 World Cup. Boxing series Solo Boxeo and all-sports highlight program Contacto Deportivo.

"UniMás is the result of Univision listening to our audience and our vision to leverage the deep connection of our Univision brand, creating a new brand that complements our other networks' offerings while expanding our opportunity to deliver the best content for our audience. UniMás delivers more action, more drama and more sports than ever before and will be another platform for us to celebrate our culture and connect America," said Randy Falco, president and CEO, Univision Communications Inc.

The rebrand is part of Univision's expansion of three linear networks -- Univision Deportes, Univision tlnovelas and FORO TV -- and the digital net UVideos.