Jacqueline Castro takes charge at Telemundo Studios to reshape original content

In the United States, on December 12, 2024, Telemundo Studios announced the hiring of Jacqueline Castro as the new Vice President of Production. This newly created role is part of the network's strategic expansion aimed at enhancing their original content offerings. Castro, who has an extensive background in media and entertainment specifically within the Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets, will be responsible for overseeing production strategy and managing various Spanish-language production teams. Her mandate includes working alongside development executives to assess project viability, approve scripts, and implement creative adaptations. This is expected to optimize production workflows and deliver relevant content tailored for Hispanic audiences. Before joining Telemundo Studios, Castro served as the Executive Director of Unscripted Content and Production at Sony Pictures Entertainment. There, she oversaw various successful projects for both the Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets, highlighting her experience in this specific demographic. Notable shows she has been involved with include the Netflix series 'Dale, Dale,' and other major productions such as 'Shark Tank Mexico' and 'Shark Tank Colombia.' Her previous roles include serving as the Head of Production of Content Mexico at Mediapro Studios and spending over a decade in significant capacities at TV Azteca in Mexico City. In her new role at Telemundo, Castro will directly report to Javier Pons, the Executive Vice President of Telemundo Studios. Pons has stated that Castro's experience and deep understanding of Spanish-language media will fundamentally aid in driving the studio’s growth. The studio has been actively revamping its leadership structure to stay competitive and cater effectively to their audience. By placing Castro in this key position, Telemundo is sending a clear message regarding its commitment to quality and innovation when it comes to content targeting Latino viewers across the globe. With the demand for high-quality original Spanish-language content on the rise, Telemundo’s decision to hire an executive with Castro’s background emphasizes the strategic direction of the studio. Her responsibility will span all stages of production, from initial planning and budgeting to final delivery, ensuring that Telemundo Studios remains a key player in the media landscape focused on Hispanic audiences. As the streaming wars escalate, Telemundo's push for a stronger original content strategy is both timely and crucial for its market position, aiming to strengthen connections with Latino audiences worldwide.