by Manuel Aguilar
Manuel Aguilar is Co-Founder and Vice-President of International Relations for the Turtle Island Institute. His monthly column for Kokopelli Spirit highlights celebrities and members of the entertainment industry whose activities in the past have made a difference in the lives of others and who are committed to doing so in the future.
Manuel Aguilar and Jeff Valdez
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Jeff Valdez is a veteran writer and producer. He is also a very likeable and talented guy, who has done much to bring Latino talent to the forefront in the entertainment business. A very humble person, Jeff attributes much of his success to his wife.
His latest endeavor, of which he is Founder and Co-Chairman, is Si TV, tentatively scheduled to launch in mid-year 2000. A Latino-themed cable network, with an Internet slant and tie-in to radio, the channel will feature English language programming. Si TV promises to bring both Latino and non-Latino viewers a wide range of programming that includes original sitcoms, variety, talk, music and dance shows, short films, animation, and childrens' programming, as well as sporting events. The target audience is 18 - 34 year olds who have shown an overwhelming preference for English programming in research conducted in the top ten U.S. Hispanic markets.
Si TV is an evolution of Si TV Productions, a cable and syndicated progamming service formed in 1997 by Mr. Valdez. Cafe Ole with Giselle Fernandez, along with other shows like Showtime's Latino Laugh Festival and Funny is Funny, proved solid enough hits in the marketplace to inspire Jeff Valdez to make the move toward developing the English language advertiser-supported network. Initially the network is expected to be available in about six million homes nationwide and will offer 24-hour programming. While hoping to cash in on the "Hot" Latino market, the company will make an effort to employ not just Hipanics but also Asians and African Americans as well. The staff will profile that of the younger audience--people who want to be entertained in English.
Si TV's Talent Advisory Board is composed of some of the top names in the entertainment industry today and includes: Maria Conchita Alonso, Hector Elizondo, Moctesuma Esparza, Erik Estrada, Giselle Fernandez, Daisy Fuentes, Mario Lopez, Cheech Marin, Carlos Mencia, Geraldo Rivera, Roseanne, and Jimmy Smits.
Best wishes for success to Jeff Valdez in this timely venture.