Univision & Telemundo Too Vulgar? Latinos Speak Out on Both Sides
On "Sabado Gigante," it's not rare to see a child walking down the runway in a belly-baring outfit.
That same show features attractive women in skimpy clothing in every episode.
Not everyone is happy with the content Spanish-speaking channels, such as Univision and Telemundo, offer.
For one, in households where parents only speak Spanish, these channels may be what families watch together. This means that even children are watching things that are not appropriate for their eyes, and that also manages to reinforce Latino stereotypes.
Perhaps, this is the reason that these channels cannot attract Hollywood Latinos for their programming.
At the very least, it's a turnoff to some consumers.
For example, Ariadna Alvarado told La Opinion that she prefers to get her entertainment otherwise.
"Sabado Gigante is an example to me, as a TV viewer and Latino, of something that's not appealing and makes me feel disillusioned," she said. "I can't relate to the content or the people. And they use women as sexual objects instead of beautifying them with elegance. It's about how am I going to show skin. It's an extreme. It's trash."
Alvarado instead gets her entertainment from American or European channels, such as BBC or Netflix.
The host of "Noches con Platanito," Sergio Verduzco, says that the content on his show is exactly what people want. The show airs on Estrella TV.
"Precisely, that's what people like, that the content is very strong," he said. "And it's not vulgar because obviously there's a lot of censorship in the United States. So, it's not vulgar in any moment. Yes, it's strong and there's some things that are rude, but it's the same things that everyone hears."
Another source told La Opinion that, though she watches "Noches con Platanitos" by herself mostly, sometimes her children join her. But her children don't understand the crasser jokes.
Miryam Diaz Knigge, who works for the Parents Television Council division in Miami, said that there are many shows that go too far.
"There are many shows that are obscene and vulgar," she said. "Some that come to mind are 'Noches con Platanito,' 'Carlucho' and 'TN3.'"
She added that telenovelas should not be aired when children are watching TV, as they too, are not appropriate. Telemundo court show "Caso Cerrado" is another one she takes offense with, as it airs in the afternoon.
Anyone can report content to the FCC, she said.
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