This is SMART

If you didn't know Univision and Telemundo do MAJOR numbers on television. In fact, I've been reading daily ratings reports where Univision shows performed better than shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and the CW on a given night.
With their success, it's evident that there's a market that has been underserved and is willing to watch content with their interests in mind.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote today that Lionsgate has partnered with Televisa to unveil a new company, Pantellion Films.
They have a five-year deal to release about 10 films a year for the (50-million strong!) Hispanic market.

"AMC CEO Gerry Lopez said his chain will dedicate one to three screens at 52 theaters in markets with strong Latino audiences and try to "consistently market to an audience that's already coming." He said Hispanics on average make up more than 20% of AMC guests -- about one-third in some areas." --THR

Here's a link to their in-depth article:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3id04ae3d9411a9f6b1cc7ce54480e2f65?pn=2

Obviously, there's truth to the prediction that Hispanics will be the largest minority, so being a leader in providing content to them is a good move and may open the doors for other companies to arise, or for mainstream companies to look at adding some selections for this demographic.

It's noteworthy that Lionsgate also distributes Tyler Perry's films, because Tyler has been showing Hollywood for years now that minorities DO show up for films that cater to them. And Tyler did put Sophia Vergara in his film "Meet the Browns." Now she plays Gloria on the hit ABC show "Modern Family" and her career has taken off!

Here's another quote from the THR article:

"One of the themes that his team heard in its research was that U.S. Hispanics want to be better represented on screen, Paul Presburger said. "The want to see themselves on the screen the way they see themselves," McNamara said. "They want to see [their own] as an ad exec or government employee, not just as drug dealer or maid." At the same time, Pantelion wants to avoid giving off an "I feel your pain" vibe or pander to audiences."

Hmmm..."they want to see themselves not just as drug dealer or maid"...or struggling single mom....or wanna-be rapper...or star athlete....
Sounds like sumthing another demographic has been saying for years...which companies are lining up to provide sumthing better for us? Please, Hollywood, don't think Tyler Perry is sufficiently filling the gap single-handedly. We are not that easily appeased.

But I digress...