Meruelo, who has yet to give an interview about his future plans for KWHY, told the audience gathered at the trendy Conga Room that buying the station was a “lifelong dream” and that he was “committed to making available the resources to make 22 the premier Hispanic station in L.A.”
Programming Director Pablo Urquiza announced two major acquisitions, which the station hopes will become ratings hits. KWHY will begin to air the original version of “Mujeres Asesinas” (the Mexican remake of the series currently airs on Univision) and “Los Simuladores,” a Televisa-produced series that won’t be airing on Univision. Local newscasts will continue to be on the programming grid.
Although NBCU reached an agreement with Meruelo in January, the sale is not yet final. It’s expected Meruelo will have full ownership by June or July. In the meantime, the station is in a divestiture trust managed by TV vet José Cancela.