Potential Leadership Change at TelevisaUnivision
TelevisaUnivision, a powerhouse in the realm of Spanish-language television production and broadcasting, is currently deliberating a significant shift in its leadership structure. According to three sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, the company is considering an immediate replacement for its chief executive, Wade Davis.
The board of TelevisaUnivision is scheduled to convene this week to evaluate this proposal, as revealed by the insiders. Among the candidates being considered for the chief executive position is Daniel Alegre, the former president and CEO of Activision Blizzard. If the plan proceeds, Mr. Davis is expected to retain his role as a shareholder while transitioning to the position of vice chairman on the company’s board of directors.
This potential change marks a dramatic turn for TelevisaUnivision, which was established in 2022 following a merger orchestrated by Mr. Davis. The merger, valued at an impressive $4.8 billion, united Univision with Televisa, its primary programming supplier, with strong backing from major investors like Google and SoftBank.
Mr. Davis previously led the acquisition of Univision in 2020, successfully buying out a consortium of private-equity owners who had become disillusioned with their investment. At that time, Univision found itself at a pivotal crossroads, grappling with internal dissatisfaction and an expensive licensing agreement with Televisa.
As a former chief financial officer at ViacomCBS, Mr. Davis brought a wealth of experience to the role. He assembled an investor group and prioritized streaming as a critical focus area for the company. A native English speaker, he also made a commitment to learn Spanish, a gesture that underscored his dedication to the Hispanic market.
Under his leadership, Univision made strategic moves, including the acquisition of the Spanish-language streaming service Vix and the launch of PrendeTV, an ad-supported streaming platform. This approach reflected a strategy that Mr. Davis was well-acquainted with, having played a significant role in Viacom’s acquisition of PlutoTV, another successful ad-supported streaming service, before finalizing the merger with Televisa.
