Televisa Launches New Foundation Aimed at U.S. Students

09.20.2013

The world's largest Spanish-language broadcaster announced a big push Thursday to help Latino children north of the border excel in school and college. Mexican media giant said their new U.S-based Televisa Foundation would use talent and characters from their most popular Spanish-language properties to help promote education and literacy-in both Spanish and English-here in the U.S. "Latino children and their families and teachers have a dream of greater opportunities and academic success. We are committed to their dream. In our work, we will partner with them, with school authorities, with community leaders, with innovators and some of the most prestigious institutions to help them achieve their dream," said Emilio Azcarraga Jean, president and CEO of Grupo Televisa.Â

Televisa produces some of the most popular Telenovela soap operas airing on Spanish-language television, and the new foundation plans to capitalize on their stars' popularity to help further its mission.Â

Their "Telenovelas for Good" initiative will incorporate positive and educational messages in their shows that air in the U.S. on . Foundation President Alicia Lebrija played a sample scene from the popular "" starring former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant William Levy and 2010 Miss Universe .

Both Levy and Navarette were on hand for the foundation's launch party at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Thursday.Â

Televisa also said that it would also donate 50 English-learning scholarships for each goal scored by the Club America Mexican soccer team this season, and unveiled an online platform where children ages 3--7 can learn English with El Chavo, one of the most popular children's characters in the Spanish-speaking world.Â

Thursay's launch event at LACMA comes as the museum unveiled a new exhibit Friday celebrating the work of famed cinematographer Gabriel Figeroa. The "Under the Mexican Sky" exhibit is sponsored by the Televisa Foundation, and is the organization's first cultural exhibition in the U.S.

Brief Take:Â One of the biggest name in Spanish-language broadcasting is looking to make a mark in the U.S., while introducing a new generation of viewers to some of its most important properties.Â