Cowell Goes South Of The Border

Simon Cowell may no longer have the “X Factor,” and America is becoming less “Idol,” but that just means the entrepreneur is ready to mine another market – this time, Spanish-language television.

Photo: AP Photo

In this June 6, 2010 file photo, British music mogul Simon Cowell attends the British Academy Television Awards in London.

Cowell and Univision have announced they are teaming up for a singing competition called “La Banda,” which will find the next-generation Latino boy band. The reality show will launch on Univision in 2015, and contestants will be recruited from the U.S. and Latin America.

The final product will be signed to Cowell’s Syco Music, which touts One Direction as its roster leader.

Cowell and Univision are trying to dissuade the notion that Spanish-language programming is only for the older crowd while younger, bilingual Hispanics watch English television, according to Deadline Hollywood.

“Univision’s collaboration with Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment is part of our commitment to innovation and to raising the bar in entertainment for our audience and partners,” Univision Communications’ Alberto Ciurana said in a statement. “‘La Banda’ will tap into Hispanic America’s passion for music unlike any other program on television and will bring millions of fans the next international music sensation.”