Teleprogramas

"Azcárraga Vidaurreta concluded that the only solution was to buy U.S. stations and thus impose his program lineups. In that sense, he envisioned a chain of Spanish-language stations in California and Texas, among other states, that would be watched by the growing Latino population in the United States, thereby enabling him to satisfy his own political needs. The idea had its complications. By insisting on controlling these stations—which for a foreigner was illegal and had to be done covertly—Don Emilio made the first of several key decisions about his expansion in the United States, which were very smart although fraught with risk. These decisions sowed the seeds of a tug-of-war over ownership that would reach its climax 25 years later, when his son lost control of half the family’s interests in U.S. television. In the United States, foreigners may own only up to 20% of a station or 25% of the station’s controlling company, so Azcárraga looked for American partners whose loyalty he could count on. Two of them were already his employees: the head of Teleprogramas, René Anselmo, and Julian Kaufman, who ran XETV in Tijuana, Azcárraga’s personal property. A third was Edward J. Noble, founder of the prominent advertising agency Noble and Associates, and a key TSM client. The only partner in the group based in the United States was Frank Fouce."

"In 1963 it was evident that someone was needed to devote full time to operations in the United States, who could also lead the efforts to acquire more stations or licenses. That person could also develop the business begun by Teleprogramas of selling programs to English-language stations, for their broadcast in late-night slots and on Sunday mornings. He would have to settle in New York, home to Madison Avenue, where all the important decisions about advertising expenditures are made. Don Emilio’s man was René Anselmo. He appointed him president of SIN and sent him to Manhattan. The company set up in the ostentatious offices at 270 Park Avenue, a choice that began the tradition—continued by both Anselmo and Emilio Jr.—of choosing extravagant offices for their operations in the United States. The three men were very sensitive to the way the Anglo-Saxons looked down on Mexicans, so they always tried to maintain an imposing appearance, even if the costs were excessive."