Kate del Castillo and Rafael Amaya reprise their leading roles in new seasons of “La Reina del Sur” and “El Señor de los Cielos.”
Telemundo
La Reina del Sur is back for another round. Heading into its 2026-27 season, Telemundo previewed its programming slate, announcing the return of one of its most successful Super Series, one that helped spark the hit narco-drama El Señor de los Cielos, which is also making a comeback.
Both returns are part of a broader slate built around FIFA World Cup 2026, with the network unveiling its multiplatform lineup ahead of its joint Upfront presentation with NBCUniversal on Monday, May 11, in New York City.
The season includes new scripted originals and unscripted formats, as well as its first original film, all anchored by a live programming strategy that will account for more than 70% of its programming across sports, news and entertainment.
“We are not just delivering content and capturing viewers – we are building fandoms, creating cultural moments and connecting audiences across every platform,” says Luis Fernández, Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. “From live sports and breaking news to premium entertainment and new storytelling formats, our strategy is focused on driving growth, deepening engagement and delivering unmatched value for our audiences and partners.”
The FIFA World Cup takes center stage in Telemundo’s programming slate.
Telemundo
The World Cup Anchor
Telemundo holds exclusive Spanish-language rights to FIFA World Cup 2026, covering all 104 matches and more than 700 hours of live programming. The tournament, hosted across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, is the centerpiece of the network’s year.
The network has also extended its U.S. Soccer rights through 2030, adding to a year-round sports portfolio that includes Liga MX, Premier League and NFL Sunday Night Football.
“With the FIFA World Cup and an unmatched portfolio of global sports, Telemundo is delivering the moments that matter most to Latino fans. Our approach is to go beyond the match – creating a complete fan experience that brings together sports, news, entertainment and culture through a fully integrated, multiplatform experience that connects with audiences at every touchpoint,” says Joaquín Duro, EVP of Sports and Head of Streaming.
Return of Hit Franchises
La Reina del Sur, Season 4: Kate del Castillo returns as Teresa Mendoza. The network renewed the hit series three years after the conclusion of Season 3. In the new chapter, tragedy pulls Teresa back into the criminal world she left behind, where she faces a powerful network of enemies, corruption and shifting alliances in a pursuit of justice that will redefine her legacy. Based on the novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the series helped establish Telemundo’s Super Series franchise.
Rafael Amaya in a scene from “El Señor de los Cielos.”
Telemundo
El Señor de los Cielos, Season 10: Rafael Amaya returns as Aurelio Casillas, two years after Season 9 ended its run in 2024, with the milestone tenth season marking a return to the saga’s roots. After vanishing from his family’s world, he resurfaces to reclaim his legacy, pushing the limits of power and loyalty until he crosses a line that could cost him everything.
Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso: Carmen Villalobos returns as Catalina Santana, joined by Majida Issa, Catherine Siachoque and Gregorio Pernía. The series last aired in 2019. Production kicked off in January, and the new installment finds Catalina pulled back into a dangerous criminal underworld to protect her family. The return of her greatest adversary, Yésica Beltrán “La Diabla,” threatens to undo everything she has rebuilt.
New Scripted Originals
Unidad de Vida: After her mother’s death, Gabriela Serrano, a brilliant medical resident, returns to Florida to confront her estranged father and a hospital system riddled with corruption. Navigating high-stakes decisions and complex alliances, she fights to prove herself in a world driven by power and ambition, until an unexpected crisis forces her into a defining leadership role that will shape the fate of the institution itself.
Hot Sur (Working Title): The American dream turns into a nightmare for María Paz, an immigrant whose life is upended when she is wrongfully accused of a crime. Forced to navigate a corrupt and discriminatory justice system, she forms unexpected alliances and risks everything to uncover the truth and reclaim her identity.
Uno Contra Todos: Eduardo “Lalo” Gutiérrez, an honorable public defender, is wrongfully imprisoned and mistaken for a powerful drug lord inside a maximum-security prison. Forced to maintain the illusion to stay alive, he navigates a brutal environment where perception is power, forming uneasy alliances and making impossible choices as the line between reality and deception begins to blur.
La Vida Ideal is Telemundo’s first original film, marking the network’s expansion into the movie format. Set during the holiday season, it follows a man whose attempt to create the perfect life through artificial intelligence leads him to confront deeper questions about identity, fulfillment and what truly matters.
“This slate builds on the strength of our most defining franchises while introducing new scripted and unscripted stories that reflect the evolving Latino experience,” says Javier Pons, Chief Content Officer & Head of Telemundo Studios. “From the return of Kate del Castillo in La Reina del Sur to our new generation of originals and global reality formats, we are focused on delivering bold, relevant storytelling that drives engagement and builds lasting audience connection.”
New Unscripted Formats
Two new series join the unscripted lineup.
Operación Triunfo: Hosted by Natalia Téllez, the internationally known music competition gives contestants a shot at a recording contract and a career in the spotlight.
House of Villains (Juego de Villanos, w/t): A reality competition that brings together recognizable antagonists from Spanish-language reality TV, competing for the ultimate title.
Returning Unscripted Franchises
La Casa de los Famosos: Celebrities live under constant surveillance while viewers vote weekly for the winner.
Exatlón Estados Unidos: Teams of athletes face grueling physical and mental challenges across another season of the long-running sports competition.
Top Chef VIP: Celebrity contestants test their cooking skills, judged by renowned Latino chefs.
Specials and Tentpole Music Events
Billboard Latin Music Awards: The gold standard in Latin music recognition returns, honoring the industry’s most popular artists, songs and albums based on Billboard’s weekly charts. The live event brings the biggest names in Latin music to one stage, with Telemundo delivering full multiplatform coverage.
Billboard Latin Women in Music: The primetime special honors trailblazing Latinas across genres, celebrating the artists and leaders shaping the future of Latin music through performances, storytelling and recognition moments.
Miss Universe: Telemundo continues as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the Miss Universe competition, celebrating its 75th anniversary from Puerto Rico. Coverage spans from preliminary events to the final broadcast, when reigning Miss Universe Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico crowns her successor.
Seasonal Specials and Live Events: Telemundo’s lineup of live cultural moments includes Macy’s Celebración del 4 de Julio, the Spanish-language telecast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, Las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, and Bienvenido 2027.
News and Elections
Noticias Telemundo continues to grow across broadcast, streaming and social, with midterm election coverage a priority for the coming year. The network’s 24/7 news FAST channel expands its daily original programming as part of that push.
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