Univision announced last week that it would lay off 200 employees. The Hispanic television network assured, after weeks of rumors, that it was forced to let go of many of its workers in different departments, including sports, production, digital and communications. The news was revealed by The Latin Times, which exclusively published a statement obtained from TelevisaUnivision:
The evolution of the media landscape has required us to implement efficiencies and cost-cutting measures to meet existing demands and in turn, strengthen our business for the future. As a result, TelevisaUnivision has made the difficult decision to eliminate a small number of positions in the U.S. across various business units. We deeply value the employees affected and their contributions, and will assist and support them during this transition.
Univision says goodbye to big names and cancels 'República Deportiva'
The Hispanic network was also forced to let go of several of its most notable on-air figures. An example of this, reported El Nuevo Herald, was broadcast journalist Teresa Rodríguez, who had been with TelevisaUnivision since 1982. The popular journalist began at the network as host of "Noticiero Univision." After this, she went on to host "Aquí y Ahora," which she left in 2021 to be in charge of "Univisarios," an informative space in which the television network reported on the triumphs of prominent Hispanics in the United States.
Rodríguez, winner of fifteen Emmy Awards, will no longer be part of the Univision staff but will continue to collaborate with the network, although it has not been revealed exactly what her new role will be.
Teresa Rodríguez was not the only big name that Univision parted ways with. According to The Latin Times, the network also dispensed with former soccer referee Marco Antonio "Chiquimarco" Rodríguez as well as Xavi Sol, Alonso Cabral and Anselmo Alonso. Along with them, Univision also let go the former winner of "Nuestra Belleza Latina," Sirey Morán.
Univision also made some programming changes. People magazine announced that the Hispanic television network was also discontinuing "República Deportiva," one of its longest-running Hispanic programs that had been on the air for 25 years.
Former soccer player Felix Fernandez, who served as analyst and host of TUDN in Mexico and the United States, confirmed the news to the media, ensuring that he was one of the people affected by the cuts: "We are discontinuing 'República Deportiva,' the longest-running sports show in Spanish in the USA, which is coming to an end after almost 25 years."
Collaborator Valeria Marín also said goodbye to the program. She made an Instagram post with a message of gratitude to "República Deportiva" which she had been working on for more than 20 years:
I only have words of gratitude for ["República Deportiva"], a flagship program on the Spanish-language channel for the United States. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of a chapter in a story of more than 20 years. I have only nice things to say professionally and personally. You were a show that introduced me to one of the most important people in my life and professionally a show that took me out of my comfort zone. It taught me to balance information with entertainment and took me to many stadiums and brought me closer to the people in a very nice way. As well as sharing memories with great colleagues and friends. Thank you ["República Deportiva"] for letting me be part of your beautiful sports history.
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