ESTRELLA MEDIA ELEVATES RENÉ SANTAELLA TO CHIEF DIGITAL AND STREAMING OFFICER
“Since joining our team, René has been hyper-focused on creating and building a dominant streaming and on-demand digital content business,” said Peter Markham, CEO of Estrella Media. “In less than two years, we have grown into a market leader, hitting over 1 billion streaming minutes viewed across our platforms. We are a leader in FAST and streaming audio for Spanish-language content and a compelling content option for audiences in the U.S. and around the world. We are re-imagining the Spanish-language digital landscape, and René is an important part of the company’s continued growth and transformation.”
“I’m truly excited to continue to drive digital growth and innovation in the Spanish-language marketplace and build free ad-supported streaming content options for our Estrella Media audiences,” Santaella said. “It is an audience that demands more attention and investment from the advertising and entertainment industries and to be able to lead this effort during such a transformative time is inspiring. From news to digital-first series to streaming live video and audio, we are just scratching the surface of how our audience is entertained and informed.”
Since joining the company in October 2020, Santaella has led the launch of Estrella Media content across FAST, AVOD, social and audio platforms, built out a new digital organization, and become an active member of the IAB. Under his guidance, the company launched the EstrellaTV App in 2021, available on Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, iOS, Android mobile, Samsung and Vizio, and introduced four FAST channels, including EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Estrella Games, and the newly announced Cine EstrellaTV. He has negotiated partner agreements with The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Vizio WatchFree, Xumo, Xfinity Flex, PlutoTV, Amazon News, Tubi, and FuboTV. This past year radio listeners made Estrella Media a top 20 leader in streaming audio with stations like Que Buena Los Angeles, QB Underground, La Raza, and El Norte – all available on TuneIn, the EstrellaTV app, and EstrellaTV.com.
Before joining Estrella Media, Santaella was the Senior Vice President, Head of Ad Sales & Business Operations at Sony Pictures Television Digital Networks and built Crackle into a leading free ad-supported streaming network with the Emmy nominated hit, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. He also led the creation of a premium video network for advertisers targeting a large audience of “connected gamers” that included PlayStation, Funimation, Pluto TV, and Crackle. Before Sony, he was Director, Ad Sales Marketing for Disney Interactive, leading digital and cross-platform advertising and integrated marketing solutions across the company with corporate alliance partners.
He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Anderson School of Business at UCLA and a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA. He was also a Puerto Rican National Swim Team and UCLA Men’s Swim Team member.
About Estrella Media, Inc.
Estrella Media is a leading Spanish-language media company and one of the largest U.S. producers of Spanish-language video and audio content for multiplatform
distribution worldwide, with a library of over 20,000 hours of original video content.
Estrella Media’s content studio feeds all its digital and linear media platforms, including EstrellaTV, its national broadcast television network that is seen on 16 owned or operated stations and 33 affiliated stations, as well as through cable and satellite providers and digital streaming platforms; Estrella News, the first 24/7 Spanish-language multiplatform digital news network in the U.S.; and Estrella Games, the first 24/7 curated Spanish-language game show channel in the U.S. In 2021, Estrella Media’s digital content surpassed one billion viewership minutes.
Estrella Media also owns and operates 14 radio stations and the Don Cheto Radio Network, airing on 33 affiliated stations throughout the U.S., featuring one of the nation’s most popular radio talents, Don Cheto. Estrella Media also produces large-scale music festivals, concerts, and special events throughout the U.S.
To learn more about Estrella Media and see company updates, please visit Estrella Media at estrellamedia.com, and follow us on Twitter @Estrellamedia_, Facebook @Estrellamediainc, and LinkedIn @Estrella Media, Inc.
Contacts for Estrella Media:
Hanna Bolte, HBolte@EstrellaMedia.com, 310-497-5586
Dina White, DWhite@EstrellaMedia.com, 917-226-8366
Press Releases
QUE BUENA LOS ANGELES RADIO PRESENTS: ‘HOMENAJE AL REY DE CORRIDO’ CHALINO SANCHEZ 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE CONCERT FRIDAY, JULY 22, AT THE YOUTUBE THEATER
June 2, 2022 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Que Buena Los Angeles, the leading Regional Mexican radio station and the flagship station of Spanish-language multiplatform media company Estrella Media, presents the 30th anniversary tribute concert to Chalino Sanchez – “Homenaje al Rey del Corrido.” The concert will be held Friday, July 22, at the YouTube Theater, and tickets go on sale this Friday, June 3, at Ticketmaster.
Sanchez was killed 30 years ago in Mexico. That night silenced the voice of one of the most memorable Regional Mexican music singers and songwriters. A legend within Mexican communities, he continues to inspire popular music movements and culture. He was a partner in one of the first recording studios for Regional Mexican music, Cintas Acuario, which was the foundation for the genre in Los Angeles, from which the Rivera family – Jenni, Lupillo, and Juan – emerged.
Que Buena Los Angeles was a supporter of Chalino’s music and continues to play a large role in continuing his legacy. The tribute concert is a celebration of his legacy, but also an expression of reverence for the art of the corrido.
Artists scheduled to perform include:
Arley Pérez
El Coyote
Tito Torbellino Jr.
Panchito Arredondo
Kanales
Jesus Ojeda y sus Parientes
Los Dareyes de la Sierra
El Potro de Sinaloa
Leonel El Ranchero
Canelos Jr.
Los Amables Del Norte
About Estrella Media, Inc.
Estrella Media is a leading Spanish-language media company and one of the largest U.S. producers of Spanish-language video and audio content for multiplatform distribution worldwide, with a library of over 20,000 hours of original video content.
Estrella Media’s content studio feeds all its digital and linear media platforms, including EstrellaTV, its national broadcast television network that is seen on 16 owned or operated stations and over 33 affiliated stations and through cable and satellite providers and digital streaming platforms; Estrella News, the first 24/7 Spanish-language multiplatform digital news network in the U.S.; and Estrella Games, the first 24/7 curated Spanish-language game show channel in the U.S. Estrella Media’s digital content reach is more than 4 billion minutes per month, viewed across its entire multiplatform media portfolio, including its rapidly growing FAST, AVOD, and streaming audio platforms.
Estrella Media owns and operates 14 radio stations and the Don Cheto Radio Network, with 33 affiliated stations throughout the U.S. and featuring one of the nation’s most popular radio talents, Don Cheto. Estrella Media also produces large-scale music festivals, concerts, and special events throughout the U.S. In addition, Estrella Media produces podcasts for audio streaming, and it recently launched a new music division, Estrella Media Music Entertainment, to help develop the next generation of Latin music stars.
To learn more about Estrella Media and see company updates, please visit Estrella Media at estrellamedia.com, and follow us on Twitter @Estrellamedia_, Facebook @Estrellamediainc, and LinkedIn @Estrella Media, Inc.
Contacts for Estrella Media:
Hanna Bolte, HBolte@EstrellaMedia.com, 310-497-5586
Dina White, DWhite@EstrellaMedia.com, 917-226-8366
Press Releases
ESTRELLA NEWS PROVIDES CONTINUING LIVE COVERAGE OF AND COMMENTARY ON UVALDE, TEXAS SCHOOL SHOOTING
May 25, 2022 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Estrella Media’s digital news channel Estrella News will have continuing coverage and analysis of the Uvalde, Texas school shooting that occurred yesterday. Twenty students and adults were killed during the shooting, which took place at Robb Elementary School in a largely Latino community. This is the second deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since the Sandy Hook tragedy.
The Estrella News coverage will feature in studio coverage and on-the-ground reporting, including conversations with the family members of the victims, grief counselors, and mental health experts, as wells as coverage of the investigation by local and federal authorities into the actions and motivations of the 18-year-old shooter. Coverage will also include reactions from Congressional leaders and political experts.
“We’re in grief as part of our community died yesterday,” said Carlos Diaz Warns, SVP, Estrella News. “We as a nation have not changed anything, despite the
recurrence of these tragedies. From Buffalo to Sandy Hook, our nation’s inaction remains part of the story. At Estrella Media, it is our job to help pull the Latino community and the country together and demand that we find solutions so that these shootings will stop.”
“We need solutions, not scapegoats,” added Ronstadt. “It is time we take responsibility as a public for protecting everyone from these shootings. As journalists, it is our job to be the voice of our people and help educate them on what we can do to prevent these tragedies from happening.”
About Estrella Media, Inc.
Estrella Media is a leading Spanish-language media company and one of the largest U.S. producers of Spanish-language video and audio content for multiplatform distribution worldwide, with a library of over 20,000 hours of original video content.
Estrella Media’s content studio feeds all its digital and linear media platforms, including EstrellaTV, its national broadcast television network that is seen on 16 owned or operated stations and over 33 affiliated stations and through cable and satellite providers and digital streaming platforms; Estrella News, the first 24/7 Spanish-language multiplatform digital news network in the U.S.; and Estrella Games, the first 24/7 curated Spanish-language game show channel in the U.S. Estrella Media’s digital content reach is more than 4 billion minutes per month, viewed across its entire multiplatform media portfolio, including its rapidly growing FAST, AVOD, and streaming audio platforms.
Estrella Media owns and operates 14 radio stations and the Don Cheto Radio Network, with 33 affiliated stations throughout the U.S. and featuring one of the nation’s most popular radio talents, Don Cheto. Estrella Media also produces large-scale music festivals, concerts, and special events throughout the U.S. In addition, Estrella Media produces podcasts for audio streaming, and it recently launched a
new music division, Estrella Media Music Entertainment, to help develop the next generation of Latin music stars.
To learn more about Estrella Media and see company updates, please visit Estrella Media at estrellamedia.com, and follow us on Twitter @Estrellamedia_, Facebook @Estrellamediainc, and LinkedIn @Estrella Media, Inc.
Contacts for Estrella Media:
Hanna Bolte, HBolte@EstrellaMedia.com, 310-497-5586
Dina White, DWhite@EstrellaMedia.com, 917-226-8366
Press Releases
ESTRELLATV’S AWARD-WINNING TALENT COMPETITION “TENGO TALENTO, MUCHO TALENTO” CROWNS RAÚL BELTRÁN – A REGIONAL MEXICAN SINGER FROM SINALOA, MX AND FRESNO, CA – THE WINNER OF SEASON 26
MAY 25, 2022 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Raúl Beltrán, a 21-year-old Regional Mexican singer/songwriter from Sinaloa, México and Fresno, CA, has won season 26 of EstrellaTV’s award-winning talent competition series Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento. Beltrán bested a field of 13 finalists, winning the popular vote by the public and judges with his original song “Ella es Mi Madre.” Beltran’s final performance of the emotional song about his mother in Mexico not only pulled at the heartstrings of the judges – with all five judges shedding tears during the performance – but pushed fans to vote him as the winner. Beltrán won the $100,000 prize in the two-
hour season finale, which aired tonight. EstrellaTV is the national broadcast television network of leading Spanish-language multiplatform media company Estrella Media.
“I’m in shock about what just happened; I still can’t believe it,” said a grateful and emotional Beltrán. “I am very happy and super excited – it brings up mixed emotions as the song I sang is for my family, but I am very grateful to the show and for this great opportunity. This is the start of great things.”
Placing second was 13-year-old Mariachi singer José Ángel Carrasco from Sonora, Mexico, who enthralled the judges and fans with his rendition of the mariachi classic “El Crucifijo De Piedra.” Third-place finisher Amy Martinez, a 16-year-old from Angleton, TX, sang the classic mariachi song “Deja Que Salga la Luna” for her final performance.
“We are very happy that the winner of this season is not only a great singer, but a great singer-songwriter,” said Pepe Garza, judge and head of A&R for Estrella Media Music and Entertainment (EMME). “Raul is a very talented songwriter, and singer/songwriters have a unique relationship with the public in Regional Mexican music. We expect him to become a star.
“This season, several contestants have bright futures ahead of them. Their talent is current, their style and image are on point, and they have developed that star potential during this season. We will hear from several of this season’s finalists and participants, and I’m excited to see how their careers unfold.”
The finale also featured live performances by the Tengo Talento judges: GRAMMY-award singer Ána Barbara sang the cumbia version of her original song “Nadie Me Verá Llorar,” Regional Mexican singer/songwriter El Yaki and special guest Gerardo Diaz sang “Soy Socializador,” and Carolina Ross sang “Decide Que Somos” and “Merecemos Perdonarnos” with El Yaki. Series host Luis Coronel sang his new single “Orale,” and season 25 winners Codigo 04 returned to sing “Solo Dejame Ser.”
Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento is the longest-running talent competition show on U.S. Spanish-language television. Thousands of contestants audition from across the country and Mexico in hopes of winning the title of America’s next big Latin entertainment star.
The season 26 roster of all-star judges included: Regional Mexican music artist Carolina Ross; former Banda El Recodo lead singer Luis Alfonso Partida ‘El Yaki’; influential GRAMMY award-winning artist Ana Bárbara; leading national Estrella Media radio host Don Cheto; and legendary Estrella Media producer and radio programmer and head of A&R for EMME, Pepe Garza. Chart-topping and award-winning Regional Mexican recording artist Luis Coronel served as the series host, and Christy Garza from Estrella Media’s La Raza radio station in Houston served as the show’s DJ. Joining season 26 were the comedy duo Los Pelillos de Culiacán, who were finalists from season 25.
About Estrella Media, Inc.
Estrella Media is a leading Spanish-language media company and one of the largest U.S. producers of Spanish-language video and audio content for multiplatform distribution worldwide, with a library of over 20,000 hours of original video content.
Estrella Media’s content studio feeds all its digital and linear media platforms, including EstrellaTV, its national broadcast television network that is seen on 16 owned or operated stations and over 33 affiliated stations and through cable and satellite providers and digital streaming platforms; Estrella News, the first 24/7 Spanish-language multiplatform digital news network in the U.S.; and Estrella Games, the first 24/7 curated Spanish-language game show channel in the U.S. Estrella Media’s digital content reach is more than 4 billion minutes per month, viewed across its entire multiplatform media portfolio, including its rapidly growing FAST, AVOD, and streaming audio platforms.
Estrella Media owns and operates 14 radio stations and the Don Cheto Radio Network, with 33 affiliated stations throughout the U.S. and featuring one of the nation’s most popular radio talents, Don Cheto. Estrella Media also produces large-scale music festivals, concerts, and special events throughout the U.S. In addition, Estrella Media produces podcasts for audio streaming. It recently launched a new music division, Estrella Media Music Entertainment, to help develop the next generation of Latin music stars.
To learn more about Estrella Media and see company updates, please visit Estrella Media at estrellamedia.com, and follow us on Twitter @Estrellamedia_, Facebook @Estrellamediainc, and LinkedIn @Estrella Media, Inc.
Contacts for Estrella Media:
Hanna Bolte, HBolte@EstrellaMedia.com, 310-497-5586
Dina White, DWhite@EstrellaMedia.com, 917-226-8366
Press Releases
‘LA ACADEMIA’ – THE GROUNDBREAKING LATIN MUSIC COMPETITION SERIES – JOINS THE ESTRELLATV LINEUP
Ana Bárbara, Lolita Cortés, Arturo López Gavito, and Horacio Villalobos Named As Panel of Critics
May 23, 2022 – EstrellaTV, the national broadcast television network of leading Spanish-language multiplatform media company Estrella Media, will premiere TV Azteca’s influential and leading Latin music competition series La Academia starting Sunday, June 12. The series is a co-production with TV Azteca will air Saturday and Sunday nights from 9 p.m.-Midnight ET/6 p.m.-9 p.m. PT. The series will be simulcast on EstrellaTV in the U.S. and Azteca Uno in Mexico, as well as on the EstrellaTV app and FAST channel.
“La Academia is the most successful and influential music competition reality series for Latin music,” said Ivan Stoilkovich, EVP, TV Content, Estrella Media. “This is the series’ 20th anniversary season, and we are excited to bring it to EstrellaTV. The
panel of critics is phenomenal, and TV Azteca has put together a star-maker team of critics, musical mentor, and director who will coach and drive the contestants. This fan-favorite, celebrated series will continue to showcase talent from the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America and highlight how the series develops superstars.”
Critics for the 20th Anniversary season will be Ana Bárbara, Lolita Cortés, Arturo López Gavito, and Horacio Villalobos. The musical mentor will be Aleks Syntek, and the Academia director will be Alexander Acha. The digital reporters will be Vanessa Claudio and William Valdés. There will be live voting throughout the week, and the audience will be able to save their favorite contestant after the final Sunday episode, giving the audience the power to determine which contestants move through to the finals.
14 participants from Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, the United States, and Mexico will compete to pursue their dreams and become the winner of La Academia in its 20th year.
To follow La Academia use @LaAcademiaTV, @CanalEstrellaTV, @Azteca, and @AztecaUno, #LaAcademia20años or #LaAcademiaEstrellaTV.
About Estrella Media, Inc.
Estrella Media is a leading Spanish-language media company and one of the largest U.S. producers of Spanish-language video and audio content for multiplatform distribution worldwide, with a library of over 20,000 hours of original video content.
Estrella Media’s content studio feeds all its digital and linear media platforms, including EstrellaTV, its national broadcast television network that is seen on 16 owned or operated stations and over 33 affiliated stations, as well as through cable and satellite providers and digital streaming platforms; Estrella News, the first 24/7 Spanish-language multiplatform digital news network in the U.S.; and Estrella
Games, the first 24/7 curated Spanish-language game show channel in the U.S. In 2021, Estrella Media’s digital content surpassed one billion viewership minutes.
Estrella Media also owns and operates 14 radio stations and the Don Cheto Radio Network, airing on 33 affiliated stations throughout the U.S., featuring one of the nation’s most popular radio talents, Don Cheto. Estrella Media also produces large-scale music festivals, concerts, and special events throughout the U.S.
To learn more about Estrella Media and see company updates, please visit Estrella Media at estrellamedia.com, and follow us on Twitter @Estrellamedia_, Facebook @Estrellamediainc, and LinkedIn @Estrella Media, Inc.
Contacts for Estrella Media:
Hanna Bolte, HBolte@EstrellaMedia.com, 310-497-5586
Dina White, DWhite@EstrellaMedia.com, 917-226-8366
Press Releases