Telemundo set to polish Gems

Net to rebrand, reprogram in fall

By MARY SUTTER

NEW YORK -- U.S Spanish- lingo network Telemundo will rebrand and reprogram the Gems network this fall, execs announced during their upfront presentation last week.

Telemundo acquired the pay TV net last year. Feevee programmer and channel distributor Pramer, based in Buenos Aires, has taken over the Latin American signal.

Telemundo will redub the Gems U.S. channel Mun2 (pronounced "mundos," meaning "worlds"). While the web has been focused on women, Mun2 will target younger auds.

Telemundo undertook a similar rebranding effort when it revamped the old CBS Telenoticias as Telemundo Intl.

The U.S. Spanish-lingo network will also begin operating a second station in Miami under a local marketing agreement, with an option to buy. With two stations in both Miami and Los Angeles, Telemundo plans to offer local programming for the second stations in those key Hispanic markets.