Three new original series that spotlight the unique world of young Latinos, their dreams, music and issues debut this month on MTV Tr3s (www.mtvtr3s.com/) it was announced today. Beginning January 7th MTV Tr3s viewers will be treated to a new season of the hit series “Quiero Mis Quinces,” get a shot at becoming television programmers in “Music My Guey” and see some of their realities reflected in “Tr3s Docs.”
“The lives of young Latinos are exciting, trend-setting and complex and MTV Tr3s is thrilled to begin the new year with expanded programming options that celebrate and reflect our audience,” said Lily Neumeyer, Vice President of Programming and Production, MTV Tr3s. “Through research and an on-going dialogue, our audience has told us they are seeking programming that highlights what Latinos have in common with each other, the ways Latinos are different from non-Latinos and the nuances and differences between Latino countries of origin. MTV Tr3s has it all.”
Hit Series Returns
MTV Tr3s audience favorite “Quiero Mis Quinces,” is back and better than ever on Mondays at 4:00 PM starting January 7th. The second season of the weekly show that documents the elaborate quinceañera parties that are a coming-out tradition when Latinas turn 15 captures all excitement, nerves, temper tantrums, and more of planning a dream party.
Featured in season two of “Quiero Mis Quinces” are Avelina y Alejandra, twins who make for double excitement, especially when their limo is pulled over by the police on the way to their party; Nicole Luis, a model and actress who has to live up to the perfect expectations her friends and family have of her; Valentina, a theatre student who brings new drama to the art of planning her quinceañera; the ever popular Vittoria who wants a Las Vegas-style party; Ana Gabriela who decides to strut her unknown talents as a super model as part of her celebration; and Irian, a young rocker who decides that black is the perfect color for her quinces.
Beyond the on-air action, MTV Tr3s is inviting young Latinas to share their party plans on the new community site 15.mtvtr3s.com, a social network created for 14-16 year old Latinas looking to connect with others girls just like them. Quinces members can create their own profiles and select party ‘preferences’ by uploading photos or videos of the cakes, venues and outfits they hope to have at their big event. They can also check out who else is planning a quince in their area, and enter forums with other members to share party planning tips. 15.mtvtr3s.com provides members with a range of interactive features to choose from, including voting for the Party of the Week, ‘snagging’ preferred user photos to add to one’s own profile, and commenting within the Quinces community.
15.mtvtr3s.com is one of hundreds of unique online communities MTV Networks has created for young people with shared experiences, including mysupersweet16.com that has 30,000 registered viewers more than 1.1MM visitors, more than 14MM page views and where 45,000 pictures have been uploaded.
Viewers Take Control and Test Their Knowledge
Young Latinos are especially passionate about their music and videos as members of the MTV Tr3s Cooltura panel, a group of 100 young Latinos that advises MTV Tr3s on trends, programming and issues, told the channel. However, it’s not only watching videos that’s important to young Latinos, they said. They want viewer participation experiences that they can use as “social currency,” experiences that allow them to express and share why they love the artists and the music they do, in a highly individualized way. In response to this feedback, MTV Tr3s is giving viewers the power to control what they want to see and hear on the channel through the development of customized video blocks on the new half-hour show “Music My Guey” (Music My Way) which premieres on Tuesday, January 8th at 3:30 PM
“Music My Guey” empowers fans with an opportunity to program a 30-minute block on MTV Tr3s however they see fit. Viewers first log onto playlist.mtvtr3s.com, upload their personal photo and populate a playlist of ten song titles by choosing MTV Tr3s recommended tracks, or by inputting their own choices. Additionally, users can comment on why each track they have selected matters to them. Upon review and approval of the list, MTV Tr3s then develops a half-hour video block based on the selections and features the fan’s picture on-air throughout the entire video block. The playlists selected to appear during the video block will also be spotlighted on the homepage of playlist.mtvtr3s.com.
How much viewers know about their favorite artists and videos will be tested on the new interactive show “Tr3s or False,” which airs weekdays starting January 14th at 6:30 PM.
“Tr3s or False,” will display artist, video, and trivia questions, and gives viewers 30 seconds to answer the questions correctly via their cell phones through SMS technology. Each time a viewer answers a question correctly, they will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes - so the more they play and answer correctly, the better chance they have to win and earn points. Winners will be picked at random to receive prizes like an mp3 player, apparel, movie/ concert tickets, gift certificates and more. At the end of every show, an on-air score board will reveal the top 10 “Tr3s or False,” viewer experts based on the points they earn by answering correctly.
Taking on Issues that Matter
Latino youth are unique not only in their music preferences and rites of passage, but also in the issues they face, according to Cooltura panelists. For example, many young Latinos are obligated to take on the role of cultural and linguistic translators for their families, negotiating everything from mortgage rates to representing the family in court. Obesity together with body image is a particularly difficult issue for young Latinas, they say.
In response to the Cooltura feedback, MTV Tr3s has created “Tr3s Docs,” a documentary destination that showcases the best of MTV News and Docs with a special emphasis on experiences, characters and issues that matter most to young Latinos. Presented by MTV Tr3s VJs Carlos Santos and Karli Henriquez, “Tr3s Docs” will tackle the pressure of shouldering adult responsibilities, being overweight and the universal ups and downs of graduating high school in its premiere season and will encourage viewers to comment about their own stories at mtvthink.com. Documentaries to be featured on “Tr3s Docs” are:
True Life: Supporting My Family on January 19th at 5 PM — Whether caused by a parent’s untimely death, serious illness or abandonment, each year many young people suddenly find themselves responsible for the welfare of their younger siblings. In this episode of True Life, viewers follow two young women who are struggling to support their families. Will they find a way to feed, clothe and house their siblings? Or will their families fall apart?
“True Life: I’m a High School Senior” on January 26th at 5 PM — From prom to final exams, prank day to graduation day, senior year is a study in contrasts. For many young people it’s like a joyride on a bumpy road as serious considerations about life beyond the secure four walls of high school jockey for attention with concerns about finding the absolute best dress for prom. In this episode of True Life, viewers follow three young people living it up during their last semester of high school. Will they be able to smoothly navigate their way to the aisle on graduation day or will they succumb to senioritis and stumble along the way?
“Return To Fat Camp” on February 2nd at 5 PM — For overweight teenagers trying to “fit in” can seem almost impossible—from getting teased at school to participating in sports, many of these kids find it hard just to feel ‘normal’. They dream of losing weight, looking good and becoming popular and at “Fat Camp” that’s exactly what happens even if they don’t lose a pound! Through first person encounters, “Return to Fat Camp explores the lives of five young people who are battling their weight while having the time of their lives and finally fitting in at a weight loss camp.
“Quiero Mis Quinces,” “Music My Guey” “Tr3s or False,” and “Tr3s Docs” join other hit MTV Tr3s programs such as “Mi TRL” hosted by Carlos Santos, “Sucker Free Latino” hosted by L.Boogs and the recently introduced “Karlifornia” hosted by Karli Henriquez. Music programming is at the core of MTV Tr3s and the channel features hitmakers, emerging artists and new sounds that resonate with young U.S. Latinos and celebrate their hybrid identity and culture.
Since launching in September 2006, MTV Tr3s has become the most widely-distributed TV network dedicated to superserving today’s bicultural Latino youth and is currently seen in 6.2 million Hispanic TV households and 31.9 million total TV households. “*
The political story of the moment is the Latino vote. As presidential candidates John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) present their cases to the leading Latino advocacy groups, the message everywhere is about how pivotal the Latino vote will be this year. It almost feels like a quinceañera party for Latinos—where we will “come of age” as voters in the United States.”*
